Ep 14. Cycling's Greatest Fraud

In the 14th episode of National Geographic Documentaries' 2013 season, viewers are taken on a journey through the world of professional cycling and the infamous scandal that rocked the sport. The episode titled "Cycling's Greatest Fraud" delves into the story of Lance Armstrong and his rise to fame in the cycling world, as well as the downfall that resulted from his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The documentary starts by giving a brief history of the sport of cycling and the rise of professional cycling in the 1990s. It then quickly moves into the story of Lance Armstrong, who became one of the most successful and iconic cyclists of all time. The episode highlights Armstrong's incredible achievements, including his seven consecutive Tour de France victories, which made him a national hero in the United States.

However, as the episode progresses, viewers are shown how Armstrong's success was built on a foundation of lies and deceit. The documentary explores the deep-seated culture of doping in professional cycling, and how Armstrong and his teammates at the U.S. Postal Service team were able to skirt around drug testing and use banned substances to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors.

The episode features interviews with former teammates and colleagues of Armstrong, who provide insight into the lengths that they went to maintain Armstrong's facade of being a clean athlete. Viewers are also given a behind-the-scenes look at the extensive doping program that was used by the U.S. Postal Service team, and how they were able to cover up their use of drugs for so long.

As the episode progresses, the story begins to shift towards the downfall of Armstrong and the ultimate exposure of his fraud. Viewers are shown how investigations by anti-doping agencies, as well as the perseverance of reporters and journalists, brought the truth to light. The episode discusses the impact that the scandal had on Armstrong himself, as well as the sport of cycling as a whole.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are exposed to various aspects of the doping scandal, including the legal battles that Armstrong faced after his exposure, as well as the lasting impact that the scandal had on the sport of cycling. The episode provides a detailed look at the story of Lance Armstrong and the culture of deception that existed within the cycling world, and leaves viewers with a deep understanding of the importance of ethics and fair play in sports.

Overall, "Cycling's Greatest Fraud" is an eye-opening and thoroughly researched documentary that provides a detailed look at one of the most infamous scandals in sports history. Through excellent storytelling and expert analysis, viewers are given a unique perspective on the rise and fall of Lance Armstrong, as well as the broader issues of doping and cheating in professional cycling.