The Agony and the Ecstasy: Stephen Roche's World of Cycling [Hardcover]

Stephen Roche (Author), David Walsh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1989

This book is the story of the making of a cycling champion. It follows Roche's growth from home-town Dublin boy into a young European, famous in every city where cycling is a major sport, and the astonishing series of wins in 1987 that were to make him a sporting legend. "The Agony and the Ecstasy" takes us behind the scenes of triumph and into the mysterious world of cycling, showing us what life for top professionals is really like. It covers the roads, the races and the riders themselves - how they live and train, their battles with the elements on great marathons, the crowds and their role in morale, the dangers of the sport, and the elation or despair when the finish line is reached.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: Century Hutchinson (April 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0091736846
• ISBN-13: 978-0091736842
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,351,807 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining biography of a professional cyclist, January 5, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Agony and the Ecstasy: Stephen Roche's World of Cycling (Hardcover)

This book tells the tale of the rise of one of Ireland's greatest professional cyclists, Stephen Roche. It is co-authored by David Walsh, who also wrote the definitive biography of Ireland's other great professional cyclist, Sean Kelly.

Roche describes his humble beginnings as a milk man apprentice for his father through his rise through the ranks to become only the second cyclist to win the "Triple Crown," the Tour of Italy, The Tour of France and the World Championship in 1987.

Packed with details only an insider would know, Roche and Walsh have written a highly entertaining and informative book about the world of professional cycling, the greatest sport in the world.