Sky's the Limit: British Cycling's Quest to Conquer the Tour De France

by Richard Moore

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 winning yellow jersey. 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."

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Sports

314 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Richard Moore is a freelance journalist and author. His first book, In Search of Robert Millar (HarperSport), won Best Biography at the 2008 British Sports Book Awards. His second book, Heroes, Villains & Velodromes (HarperSport), was long-listed for the 2008 William Hill Sports Book of the Year.

He is also the author of Slaying the Badger: LeMond, Hinault and the Greatest Ever Tour de France (Yellow Jersey, May 2011), and Sky’s the Limit: British Cycling’s Quest to Conquer the Tour de France (HarperSport, June 2011).

His latest book, The Dirtiest Race in History: Ben Johnson, Carl Lewis and the 1988 Olympic 100m final, will be published by Wisden Sports Writing in June, 2012.

He is also a former racing cyclist who represented Scotland at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and Great Britain at the 1998 Tour de Langkawi.

Reviews

[Mike Finch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was expecting an elongated Sky press release but it's better than that. Quite interesting reading it now regarding the respect given to those who have been subsequently, errr, tarnished! Quite embarrassing some of the things Brailsford said about Armstrong (and others). A different world.

Respect to the sadly now departed Richard Moore.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first saw this, I had feared it would be a fairly sycophantic account of Dave Brailsford's genius, Wiggo's madcap banter from a fearless champion, and the unparalleled wonder of the New Force in cycling. But despite a good level of access, this was a fairly even-handed account of the early travails of Team Sky, and it was interesting reading this several years on knowing what followed.

There is a fairly detailed account of the formation of Team Sky, to such an extent that the second half of the book moves very quickly in comparison. However Moore's writing is punchy when needed, and quotes multiple sources both inside and outside the team to give a full picture. A bit like Tim Shipman on politics, he would give both parties a right of reply, but leave you in little doubt who was telling the truth, and it wasn't always Brailsford. What I hadn't quite realised was that Sky had so much money but were singly focused on winning the Tour for Wiggins, and there was little comment on how other big budget teams still bother to compete in other big races.

This was also driven by personalities, which meant that it was much more narrative based, and not just a list of results. Moore is rarely explicit in criticising people, but leaves clues for you reach your own judgement - the brash, Here To Win attitude at the start contrasts massively with the revisionist assessment of Brailsford after their first, largely unsuccessful season. Again, it's not stated, but it is apparent that Sky had assumed a new approach would lead to a lot more success than was achieved, although Moore does state in a football environment, the boss would have got the sack.

It is not just Sky's characters that are interesting, however. Seemingly every boss 'breaks the mould' of cycling, and everyone tries to paint themselves as the outsider - other teams have less money than the upstarts, but Sky are new so can't be expected to win. Froome's subsequent success is barely discussed until the final chapter, and there is certainly no recognition he could be a future star.

Brailsford obviously receives credit, and Wiggins is no slouch on the bike. But I was pleasantly surprised that this was not just a cheerleading book in return for good access, and is certainly still interesting many years on, especially for the relationships within the team early in the book. Have a sick bag ready for the times when they want to inspire people to get on their bike though.

[Paulo · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro tiene puntos interesantes: cómo se formó este equipo ciclista, las interioridades del día a día, las diferentes perspectivas de personas con distintos cargos. Recoge básicamente su formación y las dos primeras temporadas en las que compite, 2010 y 2011, aunque la edición que tengo yo incluye tres capítulos añadidos para cubrir 2012 (cuando se incorpora Cavendish al equipo y ganan el Tour de France con Wiggins).

Sin embargo, por encima de todo este libro es pura publicidad. Al equipo Sky le persiguen las sospechas, y aunque de momento va escapando de ellas lo cierto es que es uno de os más dudosos del pelotón. Suspicacias que Moore despacha radicalmente sin el menor recelo, en un ejercicio de propaganda un poco aborrecible.

Además, por un lado le falta un poco más de introspección y explicación por momentos, salta demasiado rápido en algunos aspectos, mientras por otro lado hay ocasiones en las que se repite. Por último, me resultan cargantes las constantes referencias y comparaciones fubolísticas.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was more Daily Mirror that Sunday Times, however, it did give some interesting insights into the establishment of Team Sky. Some of the statements alleged to have been made by Brailsford et al ring hollow after the TUE and mystery package saga, not mention Froome and his asthma treatment! Some of the staff and riders do not come over as pleasant characters particularly Sutton, Yates, and Wiggins and is there really a need for all that arrogance? Maybe there is to succeed. I find it hard to accept that all the conversations in the book were recorded verbatim and was there really all that swearing? Are these people lacking in sufficient intelligence to hold a normal conversation without saying f—c very third word? Summing up, although this book had occasional interesting insights it was really typical of sensationalised tabloid journalism and if it wasn’t for my deep and life-long interest in the sport I would not have finished it. Recommended? Not really.

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look at the start-up of a new professional road racing team - especially for Great Britain, which didn't have a large presence in professional cycling in the Grand Tours. The guy who brought British track cycling to the top, decided to go for the road racing world. Sky backed the team, not just sponsoring, but pouring money into the effort to establish a British team. (Sky apparently supports quite a few sports teams, from what I gathered.)
The goal was a non-doping team that could win the Grand Tours in Europe - within 5 years. They made it within 3. It was quite interesting reading of the personalities in the cycling world - if anyone has watched the Tour de France, these ae familiar names and personalities. It is fun learning more about them and their efforts.

[RUBEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of cycling that any fan should read!!!

Four stars and not five, because sometimes -often- Richard Moore is more focus in tell us where he was (team car, etc) than the story. I guess we don’t care about authors of non-fiction books, and the moral reward of those authors (if they keep invisible) should be how many people read their books.

[Daeny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do love a good underdog wins story. I also feel like this needs a Chris froome update

[Gareth Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent insight into the journey of a new cycling team through the eyes & ears of an author who writes with conviction.

[Mark Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great early account, but the 2012 season fells like it was tacked on right before the deadline.
And it looks like Team Sky will do it again for 2013. Go Froome!

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very dry in parts, and doesn't offer any major insights. It does describe the brilliant results achieved by the main players, but lacked emotion for me. He seems to suggest that Sky's success was down to much more professional management, but the athletes deserve more credit than that.

[Gumble's Yard - Golden Reviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and very enjoyable account, almost a sequel to "Heroes, Villains and Veledromes" about the Sky team, finishing at the end of 2010 with an honest appraisal of the ambiguities of Professional racing (unlike the naively hostile view in Moore's previous book).

[John Houston · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Richard Moore's book "In search of Robert Millar" a fantastic and captivating read. I was expecting something similar in this book and the overall writing is fine and the story agreeable but in my opinion as an avid follower of cycling and of UK/Scottish cycling in particular it was missing the in-depth analysis or more personal angles I was anticipating. Having an appreciation of the antics in the pro cycling world and the general politicking that goes on my impression overall was this didn't take enough risks in the telling and stayed a bit too "safe". Overall though I really did like it and I would recommend it - especially to any Sky fans.

Maybe the ending like the front cover will be updated to include Wiggins winning Le Tour in 2012 with Sky 1 & 2 on the podium, that as the culmination to what is a fine story and a remarkable journey might just be what it needs to get 5 stars.

[JDK1962 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but very "inside baseball" look at the run-up to creating Team Sky and its first few years (especially its first). I'm not a huge fan of Sky, mainly because of its connection with the Murdoch empire, but I certainly appreciate what they've done in raising the profile for cycling in the UK. I definitely like that the author presents the personalities, warts and all, rather than making it a hagiography.

[ChristinaJL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the origins of Team Sky, this book by Richard Moore gives the reader a good idea of the time, effort and money it takes to set up a new procycling team. The book then follows the team in their first season. Well worth reading if you're a fan of British cycling as it's very easy to read and well written.

[Benjamin Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow, so inspiring for my upcoming jaunt down the West Coast. Very well written, although the last two chapters felt very rushed. Moore has a fluid, easy to read style and an even handed approach to Sky, although, he could have been more critical/sceptical of the financial clout that gave Team Sky such an obvious advantage.

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars simply because the subject matter is so fascinating to me. My interest, however, was severely threatened by the leaden and awkward style.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the new edition of this book which charts the progress of Team Sky in the lead up to this year's Tour de France. I found it a fascinating insight and hard to put down.

[Rivo Sarapik · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight how to establish a successful pro cycling team. Nothing is impossible. Interesting details and well written.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about the birth of the British Cycling road team from the success of the track team. Highlights the ups and downs of the first couple of years.

[Philip]

Great read for anyone wanting to understand how to motivate teams of creative people and the importance of managing every detail to produce a high-performing team.

[Michael Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

One for cycling fans only. The edition I read included the 2012 season, although this is a small fraction of the book (10%)

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at how it all came together. Well written, certainly feels like it was written by a journalist.

[Rob Jinkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great book following Team Sky from their initial conception through to the Tour de France win last year. The book reads nicely and feels unbiased.

[Mark Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great early account, but the 2012 season fells like it was tacked on right before the deadline.
And it looks like Team Sky will do it again for 2013. Go Froome!