LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2017
published by cycling specialist Raph Editions
What the judges said: 'gives fresh insight into the life of trailblazer Tom Simpson, the first Briton to wear the Tour de France's yellow jersey, 50 years after his tragic death'.
In the foreword to the title, Sir Bradley Wiggins said: "As a British cyclist, your identity is massively informed by him, so it goes without saying that he was instrumental in my 2012 Tour de France victory."
Tom Simpson is British cycling's greatest icon. Fifty years after he conquered the continental sporting scene, he still captivates people around the world. After his dramatic death on Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France, amphetamines and alcohol were found in his system, a fact which often dwarfs his pioneering achievements.
The other shortlist titles the Simpson book beat were:-
The Greatest Combeack: From Genocide to Football Glory by David Bolchover (Biteback Publishing)
Ali: A Life by Jonathan Eig (Simon & Schuster)
Quiet Genius: Bob Paisley, British Football's Greatest Manager by Ian Herbert (Bloomsbury Sport, Bloombsury)
Swell: A Waterbiography by Jenny Landreth (Bloomsbury Sport, Bloomsbury)
Centaur by Declan Murphy and Ami Rao (Doubleday, Transworld)
Breaking Ground: Art, Archaelogy and Mythology edited by Neville Gabie, Alan Ward and Jason Wood (Axis Projects)
Last year the prize was won by Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan (Corsair)
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About
Tom Simpson Bird On The Wire Synopsis
From a humble upbringing in a Nottinghamshire mining town, Simpson became the first Briton to win the elite men's World Championships and to wear the Tour de France's yellow jersey. He also took victory at Milan Sanremo, the Tour of Flanders and the Tour of Lombardy, three of cycling's most prestigious races. A charismatic and impulsive character, Simpson lived life fast, with a penchant for spectacular racing, sports cars and fanciful dreams. This man of contradictions was both people's champion and pariah, gentleman and rogue. Guided by rare photography of Simpson, this book explores the Briton's feats and complexities through untold stories from those closest to him.
Main protagonists and interviews: Jan Janssen, Raymond Poulidor, Gianni Motta, Barry Hoban, Emile Daems, Brian Robinson, Vin Denson, Helen Hoban, Joanne Simpson, Henri Duez, Charly Wegelius, Dave Bonner, Billy Holmes, Keith Butler, Pete Ryalls and Professor Greg Whyte OBE.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781472949202 |
| Publication date: |
1st June 2017 |
| Author: |
Andy McGrath |
| Publisher: |
Bloomsbury Sport an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Format: |
Hardback |
| Primary Genre |
Sports
|
Press Reviews
Andy McGrath Press Reviews
Very well written and looks fabulous -- Simon Mayo BBC R2
A fascinating and insightful read Cycling Weekly
As the marvellous collection of photographs shows, Simpson was so completely dedicated to his sport, he was head and shoulders above his domestic rivals Bristol Post
This book's principle focus is, as it should be, on his riding, the photography supplementing an extraordinary tale The Pink Southampton
Author
About Andy McGrath
Andy McGrath is the managing editor of Rouleur Magazine, having previously worked at Cycling Weekly and Cycle Sport, he has also written on cycling for The Guardian and Financial Times.He is the co-author of Official Treasures of the Tour de France and has contributed chapters to several volumes of The Cycling Anthology.
More About Andy McGrath
