By winning the 2019 Tour de France, Egan Bernal became the race’s youngest champion in 110 years, and the first from the South American nation of Colombia. His victory brought decades of national yearning to fruition, and capped the achievements of a golden generation of Colombian cyclists.
For, in the years before Egan’s victory, Nairo Quintana won the Tours of Italy and Spain, even coming within 72 seconds of winning the Tour. Rigoberto Urán, Esteban Chaves, Miguel Ángel López and Fernando Gaviria took stage wins, donned leader’s jerseys and made final podiums at cycling’s greatest events. They, and other world-class Colombian talents, made their nation a cycling superpower.
Yet its cycling sons are not the products of a rigorous sports system that nurtures them through the ranks to the pinnacle of globalised sport. They come from harder backgrounds, that surprise, shock – even, at times, enchant.
The visibility they have secured their homeland has helped open it to international tourism and trade. After decades of violence, corruption and civil unrest, a new, revitalised Colombia has re-entered the community of nation, thanks to its cyclists.
This book is about their lives and dreams: it tells inspiring stories of overcoming poverty and violence, sickness and corruption. It explores the unique sporting microcosm that lies behind Colombia’s world-beating riders, and how their achievements spurred a nation to prosperity and peace.
For, in the years before Egan’s victory, Nairo Quintana won the Tours of Italy and Spain, even coming within 72 seconds of winning the Tour. Rigoberto Urán, Esteban Chaves, Miguel Ángel López and Fernando Gaviria took stage wins, donned leader’s jerseys and made final podiums at cycling’s greatest events. They, and other world-class Colombian talents, made their nation a cycling superpower.
Yet its cycling sons are not the products of a rigorous sports system that nurtures them through the ranks to the pinnacle of globalised sport. They come from harder backgrounds, that surprise, shock – even, at times, enchant.
The visibility they have secured their homeland has helped open it to international tourism and trade. After decades of violence, corruption and civil unrest, a new, revitalised Colombia has re-entered the community of nation, thanks to its cyclists.
This book is about their lives and dreams: it tells inspiring stories of overcoming poverty and violence, sickness and corruption. It explores the unique sporting microcosm that lies behind Colombia’s world-beating riders, and how their achievements spurred a nation to prosperity and peace.
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Reviews
Matt Rendell's passion for Colombia is evident in this wonderful sequel to Kings of the Mountains - another of his cycling books about that country. Here, he explores a new generation who have beaten poverty, violence and corruption, and can now, via two wheels, tell a story of a more peaceful, happier nation
Enjoyable, authentic and thorough...this book will enrich your understanding of many of today's top riders and the long, arduous paths they've taken to reach the top of their sport
Remarkable, a masterpiece, one of the best books written about cycling... The result of decades of knowing and understanding Colombia. Meticulously researched, and written with a lightness of touch. In particular, the dialogue is outstanding. Matt's best book - and he's written some stonking books...his love for the subject matter and his deep understanding shine through the pages
The 'Mr Colombia' of the cycling press [has] an infectious enthusiasm for [his] subject that the army of online encyclopedia devotees could only hope to capture... the book covers the darker moments, including the harrowing story of the murder of Rigoberto Urán's father
These real-life stories are humbling and inspiring, and if reading them doesn't turn you into a fan of Colombian cycling it can only be because you already were a fan or because your heart is made of stone. It's safe to say that when the next Grand Tour rolls around I will be rooting for the Colombians, each and every one
No outsider could be better equipped to write about cycling in Colombia than Rendell... extraordinary access to the major players in Colombian cycling... knowledgeable and passionate
Matt Rendell's latest book Colombia Es Pasion! takes you into the heart of both a sport and a country. The journey is well worth the effort