Colombia Es Pasion!

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 Pasion! 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

“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-- Rolf Rae-Hansen , -”

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 OBSERVER
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 -- David Walsh THE SUNDAY TIMES
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 THE INNER RING
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 -- Ned Boulting and David Millar NEVER STRAYS FAR
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 CYCLING WEEKLY
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 -- Rolf Rae-Hansen
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 -- Richard Peploe ROAD.CC

Matt Rendell is an award-winning author and journalist. He is a member of ITV's presentation team at the Tour de France and, as a translator, reporter, commentator and podcaster, he has contributed to British Tour coverage for over 25 years.

He created the Real Peloton podcast and hosted ITV's Tour de France podcast. He has written for the Observer, New Statesman, Guardian and Financial Times, as well as the principal cycling magazines and websites.

His many books include The Death of Marco Pantani and Colombia Es Pasion! When not writing, he leads cycle tours in Europe and Colombia.

Contact him on Twitter @mrendell.

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 Pasion! 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

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