Lionel Birnie

Adam Leventhal

The Interviews

Tales from the Vicarage

Watford Football Club : the Story of the Eighties

Enjoy the Game

Professional cycling is a rich, dynamic and often controversial sport that lends itself to great writing. Some of the most famous and illustrious races were founded by newspapermen and The Cycling Anthology continues this tradition by bringing together the best in the business. Volume Four features original and exclusive pieces by leading cycling writers. William Fotheringham remembers the journalist who was instrumental in bringing road-racing to a British audience; Ellis Bacon looks beyond Queen to the link between bikes and beats; Richard Moore finds out what happened to that ‘little punk’ (Lance Armstrong’s words), Iban Mayo, and asks if he really did become a long-distance lorry driver; Daniel Friebe re-examines the ups and downs of Marco Pantani; Tom Southam explains what it’s like not to ride the Tour de France; and much more. Between them, these writers have covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have even ridden the Tour. Here, their work is showcased together.

Volume Four (4/5)

The Cycling Anthology

Rob Hayles

Originally published: London: Bantam Press, 2013.

My Life on a Bike

Easy Rider

Ellis Bacon

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CYCLING IN FIVE VOLUMES Volume One of The Cycling Anthology, a collection of the best writing on cycling by some of the sport's leading writers. Between them, they’ve covered hundreds of Tours de France and written dozens of excellent books and some have even ridden the Tour. Now, their work is showcased together for the first time. Volume One features original and exclusive pieces by leading cycling writers, including: - William Fotheringham disects Bradley Wiggins' transformation from track superstar to becoming the first Briton to win the Tour de France - David Millar discusses retirement and dark secrets as his friends' careers start to fade - Daniel Friebe uncovers the fascinating role statistics has to play in cycling - Jeremy Whittle follows Team Sky to assess the Lance Armstrong's legacy to the sport

Volume One (1/5)

In Pursuit of David Millar follows the cycling prodigy as he trains and races in preparation for both competitions. It uncovers the conflict between the urbane, savvy, fashion-conscious Millar and his chosen career in a gruelling, unglamorous sport which demands total dedication and requires its gladiators to pay a high price in pain and sacrifice.Millar himself is aware his apprenticeship is over and that he is in danger of squandering his undoubted natural talent. Having decided to stay with the Cofidis team that has nurtured him since he turned professional instead of seeking a fresh start elsewhere, he knows that now is the time to repay his manager's faith. Millar's is not a tale of a working class boy trying to find a way out of the factories or off the farm like so many of the riders who make up Europe's professional peloton. He comes from a middle-class background and has other strong interests outside the sport. Constantly beating back his other ambitions to enable him to focus on the sport means that cracks occasionally appear and he has to blow off steam. Some say Millar lacks the drive, aggression and single-mindedness to get to the very top; a criticism he resents. But even Millar agrees he will have to make more sacrifices if he is to reach the upper echelons.

Lionel Birnie

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