Review
--thewashingmachinepost.net
"a revealing account of friendships, rivalries and doping scandals from one of the giants of modern cycling" --Cycling Weekly
"the insouciant charm with which he tells his tale makes the book a delight to read" --Podium Cafe
"a fine account of a sparkling career in the saddle"
--Sunday Business Post
`A fine account of a professional sport on the verge of fundamental change'
--TLS
`a fine account of a professional sport on the verge of fundamental change.'
--TLS
"The most poignant sports book of the year" -- Metro
"a gripping insight into an unrelenting hard world" --Independent
This book is both a poignant farewell and as well as a rare glimpse of Fignon and his world in his own words --London Cyclist
Book Description
Product Description
'One of the most charismatic and flamboyant cyclists in recent history' Daily Telegraph
Laurent Fignon is one of the giants of modern cycling. Twice-winner of the Tour de France in the early eighties, Fignon became the star for a new generation. In 1989 he took part in one of the most fiercely-contested Tours of all time. Over the course of 3,285 kilometres he lost out to his American arch-rival, Greg LeMond, by an agonising eight seconds on the final Parisian time trial.
Fignon does not mince his words. In this forthright and unflinching account the former champion spares neither friends nor opponents, nor even his own image. In doing so he gives cycling fans a tantalising glimpse of what really went on behind the scenes of this epic sport - the friendships, the rivalries, the betrayals, the scheming, the parties, the girls, and, of course, the performance-enhancing drugs.
Laurent Fignon lived cycling at its peak. He enjoyed a truly exceptional career, winning over eighty titles from 1982 to 1993. The highs were matched by lows of serious injury, periods of self-doubt, and accusations of cheating.
Fignon's story bestrides a golden age in cycling: a time before the scandals and the shadow of doping, a time when cyclists were afraid of nothing.
From the Inside Flap
Laurent Fignon is one of the giants of modern cycling. Twice-winner of the Tour de France in the early eighties, Fignon became the star for a new generation. In 1989 he took part in one of the most fiercely-contested Tours of all time. Over the course of 3,285 kilometres he lost out to his American arch-rival, Greg LeMond, by an agonising eight seconds on the final Parisian time trial.
Fignon does not mince his words. In this forthright and unflinching account the former champion spares neither friends nor opponents, nor even his own image. In doing so he gives cycling fans a tantalising glimpse of what really went on behind the scenes of this epic sport - the friendships, the rivalries, the betrayals, the scheming, the parties, the girls, and, of course, the performance-enhancing drugs.
Laurent Fignon lived cycling at its peak. He enjoyed a truly exceptional career, winning over eighty titles from 1982 to 1993. The highs were matched by lows of serious injury, periods of self-doubt, and accusations of cheating.
Fignon's story bestrides a golden age in cycling: a time before the scandals and the shadow of doping, a time when cyclists were afraid of nothing.
From the Back Cover
'Ah, I remember you: you're the guy who lost the Tour de France by eight seconds!'
'No monsieur, I'm the guy who won the Tour twice.'
'Astonishing. The twice winner of the Tour de France bares his soul, exploring the ups and downs of life as a champion, the world of competitive cycling, and his own failings' Libération
'Full of marvellous anecdotes about aching leg muscles, the drive to win, defeat and pride - the essence of competitive cycling' le Monde
'Often touching and, above all, very funny' L'Equipe
