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Product Description
Vin Denson was a racing cyclist for almost half a century, and his career ran the full cycle. He began as he ended - as a typical English clubman, riding the weekly club time trial and strapping on a saddlebag for the weekend hostel tour. In between were eight glorious years spent as a professional on the Continent when he rode with and against the very best riders of his era. During that period he worked selflessly in the engine room of the peloton; he was the original 'super domestique', and Jacques Anquetil and Rik Van Looy thought the world of him, even if they showed their gratitude in totally different ways. But he was also capable of winning on his own account. In addition to many other successes, Vin was the first Briton to win a stage of the Tour of Italy, and stages in the tough Dunkirk 4-Days race. His victory in the Tour of Luxemburg made him the first British winner of a national European tour. The Full Cycle is a long overdue account of the splendid career of a 'Gentle Giant' of the road whose passion for cycling has never died; it is also a story of loyalty, courage and friendship. To this day he remains one of the most popular and easily recognised of British ex-professional riders and is frequently in demand as guest of honour at club dinners up and down the country.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Vin Denson....what a modest man, with a great way of putting his memories and thoughts into words. Vin is one of the few Brits who were able to pave the way to the European cycle road-racing world in the 1950s and 60s. Good to have his perspective, as a highly accomplished and worthy competitor at top level, of the inside workings of what went on in those days when all you knew or heard at the time, as a 'layman', was what the Press printed. Lovely recollections of his amateur days, too. Great to see one of the few successful 'old-time' professionals stay with cycling for the love of it...after the glory days were over. Truly a man who has not fully received the accolades he deserves, possibly because of his modesty and desire to live a 'normal' life. A marvellous read.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
A cycling life story told frankly, I read this book in one session one very wet Sunday, this is no dry list of races won or lost. A great read.
Very well written account of Vin Denson's cycling career.
It takes the reader from his first wobbly attempts to ride a two wheeler, through his British club life and amateur race successes, to his Continental career first in the GB Tour de France lineup and later in the biggest French and Belgian Teams.
Much interesting detail emerges about how the teams function around their leader and the differences between the outfits and their managers.
Regretfully at the very top level Vin was always fated to be a "super domestique" to the stars and he was rarely given the chance to take the leading role. Given that chance he proves how capable he is in Luxembourg with the backing of Shay Elliott.
It takes the reader from his first wobbly attempts to ride a two wheeler, through his British club life and amateur race successes, to his Continental career first in the GB Tour de France lineup and later in the biggest French and Belgian Teams.
Much interesting detail emerges about how the teams function around their leader and the differences between the outfits and their managers.
Regretfully at the very top level Vin was always fated to be a "super domestique" to the stars and he was rarely given the chance to take the leading role. Given that chance he proves how capable he is in Luxembourg with the backing of Shay Elliott.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Denson review
A good read for any cycle fan regardless of age. Although Denson rode as a pro during the sixties long before I was born it was tremendously interesting. Read more
Published 14 months ago by jo
Bike Nostalgia
A great read by a great, but very modest, cyclist. I thoroughly recommend it, particularly to followers of the Tour de France and the time-triallists of yesteryear.
Published 18 months ago
ROAD RACE MEMORIES
great book giving you a good insight into tht life,and struggles of a professional cyclist,one of the hardest but best of sports. Read more
Published 22 months ago by BILL PROBYN
A great read
Vin seems a really down to earth great guy with an obvious love for his family - compared to the modern day mamby pamby footballers (and even some cyclists) here is someone who... Read more
Published on 18 Nov 2009 by Mr. Sion Evans
Vin Denson
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. With knowing Vin on a personal level it brought back some great memories of events we rode together in the early days, before he turned... Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2009 by E. Ward
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