Colombia Es Pasion!: The Generation of Racing Cyclists Who Changed Their Nation and the Tour de France

Review 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 ― THE OBSERVERMatt 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 -- David Walsh ― THE SUNDAY TIMESEnjoyable, 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 ― THE INNER RINGRemarkable, 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 -- Ned Boulting and David Millar ― NEVER STRAYS FARThe '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 ― CYCLING WEEKLYThese 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 -- Rolf Rae-HansenNo 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 -- Richard Peploe ― ROAD.CC Product Description 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. Colombia has long been the only developing nation contending at cycling's highest level. Yet its cycling sons are not the products of a rigorous sports system that spots them in childhood and nurtures them through the ranks to the pinnacle of globalised sport. They come from harder backgrounds, that surprise, shock - even, at times, enchant.Colombia Es Pasión! explores the lives and dreams of each of the nation's leading cyclists. Theirs are inspiring stories of overcoming poverty and violence, sickness and corruption, and achieving global sporting glory.'Takes you into the heart of both a sport and a country. The journey is well worth the effort' Sunday Times'Wonderful' Observer'Remarkable, a masterpiece' Never Strays Far podcast Book Description From the prize-winning cycling writer Matt Rendell comes a superb, uplifting book on the incredible rise of Colombian cycling About the Author Matt Rendell survived Hodgkin's Disease and lecturing at British and Latvian universities before entering TV and print journalism. He first visited Colombia in 1998, and his Channel 4 documentary Kings of the Mountains (2000) was described in the Observer as 'a gem, telling us more about the essence of sport in under an hour than a season's worth of Premiership matches'. His first book, KINGS OF THE MOUNTAINS: HOW COLOMBIA'S CYCLING HEROES CHANGED THEIR NATION'S HISTORY, was described in The Times as 'meticulous, elegant and sensitive'. He has worked on the British terrestrial coverage of the Tour de France since 1997, he has won three National Sporting Club awards, and his book THE DEATH OF MARCO PANTANI was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. COLOMBIA ES PASIÓN is his fifth book about Colombia.