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Brailsford is the mastermind behind the phenomenal success of the British track cycling team which dominated the Beijing Olympics in 2008, winning seven gold medals. But road cycling is a very different ball game. It has the lion's share of the sport's history and legends; it has the bulk of the fans, television and media interest; and it has, far and away, the biggest pot of money. It is a sport that is rooted in mainland Europe, a land that is, in so many literal, metaphorical, and cultural ways, foreign to Great Britain. British victories in the Tour can be counted on the fingers of a mitten. The closest anyone has ever come is Robert Millar and Bradley Wiggins, who were fourth in 1984 and 2009 respectively, but no Briton has seriously challenged for the maillot jaune, the yellow jersey of overall winner. Sky’s the Limit follows the gestation and birth of a brand new road racing team, which is the first British team to compete in the Tour de France since 1987. Team Sky, as it is known, since it is to be backed by the satellite broadcaster Sky, set out on the road to Tour de France glory in January 2010. With exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews, Sky’s the Limit will follow the management and riders as they embark on their journey—witnessing their first training camp and team presentation in December 2009, their debut at the Tour Down Under in January 2010, and their debut at the Tour de France in July 2010—and as they then set out to write their "epic story."
Can a British cycling team, built on the success of track dominance, successfully transition to the complex, tradition-heavy world of professional road racing and win the Tour de France? Richard Moore, an experienced cycling journalist, utilizes exclusive access to Team Sky’s management and riders to document the team's formation and inaugural season. The narrative examines the logistical, cultural, and athletic hurdles involved in establishing a competitive British presence in a sport historically dominated by continental European teams. By tracking the team from their 2009 training camps through their 2010 Tour de France debut, the book provides a detailed account of the professionalization of British road cycling.
What You Will Find
The text offers a focused, journalistic examination of the early operational challenges and strategic ambitions of Team Sky. Its reliance on direct access provides a clear, objective look at the professional standards and internal pressures inherent in high-stakes competitive cycling.
Page Count:
352
Publication Date:
2010-07-01
Publisher:
Harpercollins Pub Ltd
ISBN-10:
0007341822
ISBN-13:
9780007341825
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