William Fotheringham

If you're not a fan of bike racing this probably isn't the book for you. I gave it five stars because the story dragged me through every emotion possible. I found this to be a compelling read. Coppi's life read like a Greek tragedy. A superman on the bike, but all too human off it. The book covers the spectrum of his short yet full life, experience-wise. From his childhood and early racing years to the war years (he was also a POW) to his return to Italy and rise to superstar. The death of show more his best friend, confidant, and brother Serse marked a change in the arc of his life. His decline, inevitable for all athletes, and the scandal surrounding his highly publicized adulterous affair(remember this is post-WWII Roman Catholic Italy) make the last few years of his life unhappy ones (IMO) except for racing his bike. His death was seemingly senseless and hence contribute to the conspiracy theories that abound. show less

This is an interesting book that has been overtaken, at least partly, by more recent events. Tom Simpson was the first British cyclist to wear the fabled yellow jersey in the tour de France. He also died on that event, the result of a concatenation of circumstances, and, as a result, triggered the first drugs scandal. You could easily argue that the scandal has continued, with peaks and troughs, ever since. This is partly Tom's life story, but also a tale of how those involved have a vested show more interest in the story. The evidence of the people involved can never be truly impartial and that has been presented in the way the story has been shaped over the years.
This is interesting, it tells of a time past and how the past shapes the present. Even today, riders scale the Ventoux and leave a tribute at the roadside marker that memorialises Tom's death. In the last few years 2 British cyclists have not just worn but won the yellow jersey, that dates this book, but hardly changes the imoact of the first man to break the national duck. show less

Extremely well written story of Tom Simpson, from the time he became 'big' in cycling to his death. Simpson lived not very far from me, Harworth, which was mentioned a lot in the book. It mainly concentrated on his death, and his strong will to never give up, which probably drove him to his push himself so hard at the end. It's a sad story, and what makes it sadder is that since his death in 1967 not an awful lot has changed with regard to drug use and cycling.

At his height, Fausto Angelo Coppi, was the best cyclist in the world. He shot to fame after he won the Giro d’Italia at the age of 20 in 1940, something that some though was impossible for someone so young. After war service he resumed his cycling career and in 1949 he was the first to win the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in the same year. In 1952 he became the second person to win both again. These victories in the grand tours and the one day classics were riden on roads that would show more nowadays be suited to mountain bikes. He had an epic rivalry with the worlds other top cyclist, the Italian Gino Bartali, as they swapped places and titles. No wonder he was called campionissimo – champion of champions.

But there was another side to his life. In the mid 20th century adultery was illegal in Italy, a law controlled and enforced by the catholic church. His friendship with Giulia Occhini, sometimes known as The White Lady, became much more. As they were both married with children, the authorities took a dim view of this. They were both dragged from their beds in the middle of the night, excommunicated and imprisoned and were the focus of a huge legal battle at the time of huge social changes in Italian society.

Coppi had always been one of the legends of the sport, and Fotheringham has written a carefully considered biography of him. It is a celebration of his cycling achievements and a considered account of his failings and tragic early end of his life. One for the true cycling buff though. show less