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Cadel Evans: Close To Flying
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781740668910
The professional racing cyclist talks candidly and philosophically about his sport and how he survived the demoralizing exploits of artificially enhanced rivals to become one of the world's best cyclists
The personal story of a champion in the making, this is a behind the scenes look at the extraordinary dedication and hard work it takes to reach the highest level of elite sport. Few noticed Cadel Evans in his first Tour de France when in the last week he was photographed on the final climb of the stage alongside the leaders Lance Armstrong and Ivan Basso—but he was determined to succeed, and that year he finished eighth. By 2006 he was fifth overall and in 2007 he lost to Alberto Contador by a mere 23 seconds. Who is this dedicated sportsman, and what has been his formula for success? Cadel gives us a glimpse of the physical and psychological tests that are required to be the best, as well as an illuminating and fascinating look at the Tour de France—the teams, the climbs, the politics, and the opponents that make it the most renowned cycling race in the world.
The professional racing cyclist talks candidly and philosophically about his sport and how he survived the demoralizing exploits of artificially enhanced rivals to become one of the world's best cyclists
The personal story of a champion in the making, this is a behind the scenes look at the extraordinary dedication and hard work it takes to reach the highest level of elite sport. Few noticed Cadel Evans in his first Tour de France when in the last week he was photographed on the final climb of the stage alongside the leaders Lance Armstrong and Ivan Basso—but he was determined to succeed, and that year he finished eighth. By 2006 he was fifth overall and in 2007 he lost to Alberto Contador by a mere 23 seconds. Who is this dedicated sportsman, and what has been his formula for success? Cadel gives us a glimpse of the physical and psychological tests that are required to be the best, as well as an illuminating and fascinating look at the Tour de France—the teams, the climbs, the politics, and the opponents that make it the most renowned cycling race in the world.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2009
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72 people want to read
About the author
Cadel Evans
3 books1 followerCadel Lee Evans AM is an Australian former professional racing cyclist and winner of the 2011 Tour de France. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 2, 2013
Great read about an Aussie lad striving for the pinnacle of his chosen field (fields). Up there with Lance Armstrong's It's Not About The Bike and Every Second Counts. Written a while ago it finishes with Evans's road racing world championships win. Wonder if a new edition might include his Tour de France victory in 2011. I liked the style of intertwining flashbacks with the general flow of events. There are some life lessons for us all - overcoming adversity, single minded pursuit of a goal, having the right support group. Recommend this book to anyone, not just those interested in sport or cycling.
February 7, 2014
If your a cycling and a Cadel fan as I am then you will be able to get through this book. However it's so poorly put together it's really hard to keep the threads of the story together. Very disjointed and often hard to work out whose voice is being used. But if you persevere you end up with moste of the story and for me that was the most important part.
December 25, 2011
For the cycling fans out there this book is a great insight to Cadel and his life. I don't think non cyclist would enjoy it as much but still would appeal to sporting tragics who like to know more about the person.
October 30, 2025
Clean, consistent, chapeau. 4/5
History shows that Cadel would have won a lot more races if it wasn't for the egregious doping of others. He was one of the few good guys from a totally rotten era and looking back at podiums from the 2000s (Rasmussen, Landis, Ullrich, Contador, Schleck, Armstrong etc etc) one doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The book is well written, transparent and honest, and provides insight into both Cadel’s childhood and pro cycling career, covering the pioneering days of MTB XC in the 90s, right up to his World Champs Road win in 2009. It’s an interesting format, with extended passages/quotes from people such as his Mum, wife, coaches etc, however it works well once you get used to it. Cadel had a long career, kept chasing the yellow jersey dream, and arguably put Aussie cycling on the map. He’s somewhat shy, introverted, maybe even awkward, but he comes across as a true gent, a contrast to the all-American, polished, alpha Lance. Overall, this is a pleasurable read for cycling fans of the era and I came away thinking what might have been. He loved riding his bike, had some incredible physiological gifts and could well have been the Pogi of his generation.
History shows that Cadel would have won a lot more races if it wasn't for the egregious doping of others. He was one of the few good guys from a totally rotten era and looking back at podiums from the 2000s (Rasmussen, Landis, Ullrich, Contador, Schleck, Armstrong etc etc) one doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The book is well written, transparent and honest, and provides insight into both Cadel’s childhood and pro cycling career, covering the pioneering days of MTB XC in the 90s, right up to his World Champs Road win in 2009. It’s an interesting format, with extended passages/quotes from people such as his Mum, wife, coaches etc, however it works well once you get used to it. Cadel had a long career, kept chasing the yellow jersey dream, and arguably put Aussie cycling on the map. He’s somewhat shy, introverted, maybe even awkward, but he comes across as a true gent, a contrast to the all-American, polished, alpha Lance. Overall, this is a pleasurable read for cycling fans of the era and I came away thinking what might have been. He loved riding his bike, had some incredible physiological gifts and could well have been the Pogi of his generation.
October 12, 2019
An interesting account of his life and cycling career up to his world championship win, but not including his win at the Tour de France. The format of the book is a bit irritating with lots of information repeated over and over again
July 18, 2020
A lot of pages, but it doesn't give a lot. Respect though to Cadel.
December 26, 2025
**3.5**
Excellent read
Excellent read
November 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this (four stars), but might not recommend it to you to read (two or three stars). I'm writing a quick review to try and explain why. Maybe it's to try and understand why!
I like cycling. I follow the professional sport. In many ways, much broad content of Close to Flying is not so new to me. But what I enjoyed was more of the back story to Cadel's life, including the earlier mountain-biking years. I could almost have seen him competing at the Sydney Olympics - except that I chose to attend the women's cross-country MTB rather than the men's.
Yet, despite personal enjoyment, there are all sorts of problems in the book.
One, which may sound unfair, is that it's quite out of date now that Evans has won the 2011 Tour de France. The whole tone is of a rider who has come second twice, perhaps missing his best opportunity. Of course, (you might object) what other tone could there be for a book written while the career continues? And that is precisely my point: it's written mid-career, as seems to be happening for more and more sportspeople. If you take the risk to write early, you have to accept the risk of being dated very quickly.
The content is a touch ponderous and repetitive. OK, I get it that Evans was born in a remote part of the Northern Territory - but the book gives far too many versions of 'look how far he's come from Bamyili'. You told us. Move on!
The target audience is hard to discern. At times, very simple cycling ideas are explained. At other times very cycling-specific references are thrown in unexplained. On the same page as cycling cleats receive a paragraph of detail, there's a throw-away comment about 'the Festina affair' - which is not explained until a later chapter.
As a cycling follower, I could spot gross oversimplifications along these lines. The internal team dynamics of Cadel's pre-BMC teams, and the Australian world championship team in 2009, have had plenty of press comment. Cadel is said to have contributed to this awkwardness. So, is it true? Were the reports malicious? What was going on? It's unsatisfying to read the equivalent of a brush-off, that the Australian world's team was simply 'united', while suspecting a deeper story.
Most notable to me, though, is the extensive use of first-person quotations from key figures in the book: Cadel, his wife, parents and trainers. I reckon the explanation is that it allows people 'their own voice'. When it works, it's brilliant - Chiara's account of the final of the world championships on 2009 is outstanding. It usually does not work. Just because someone central to the story spoke does not mean their content is relevant, or their words well-crafted. Much of the quotations feels like filler. Do we need to know the names of restaurants people ate at?
So here is a strange review. Quite a panning, because I don't rate it as a good book. But quite a high rating because the subject and many details are fascinating to me, as a cycling fan.
I like cycling. I follow the professional sport. In many ways, much broad content of Close to Flying is not so new to me. But what I enjoyed was more of the back story to Cadel's life, including the earlier mountain-biking years. I could almost have seen him competing at the Sydney Olympics - except that I chose to attend the women's cross-country MTB rather than the men's.
Yet, despite personal enjoyment, there are all sorts of problems in the book.
One, which may sound unfair, is that it's quite out of date now that Evans has won the 2011 Tour de France. The whole tone is of a rider who has come second twice, perhaps missing his best opportunity. Of course, (you might object) what other tone could there be for a book written while the career continues? And that is precisely my point: it's written mid-career, as seems to be happening for more and more sportspeople. If you take the risk to write early, you have to accept the risk of being dated very quickly.
The content is a touch ponderous and repetitive. OK, I get it that Evans was born in a remote part of the Northern Territory - but the book gives far too many versions of 'look how far he's come from Bamyili'. You told us. Move on!
The target audience is hard to discern. At times, very simple cycling ideas are explained. At other times very cycling-specific references are thrown in unexplained. On the same page as cycling cleats receive a paragraph of detail, there's a throw-away comment about 'the Festina affair' - which is not explained until a later chapter.
As a cycling follower, I could spot gross oversimplifications along these lines. The internal team dynamics of Cadel's pre-BMC teams, and the Australian world championship team in 2009, have had plenty of press comment. Cadel is said to have contributed to this awkwardness. So, is it true? Were the reports malicious? What was going on? It's unsatisfying to read the equivalent of a brush-off, that the Australian world's team was simply 'united', while suspecting a deeper story.
Most notable to me, though, is the extensive use of first-person quotations from key figures in the book: Cadel, his wife, parents and trainers. I reckon the explanation is that it allows people 'their own voice'. When it works, it's brilliant - Chiara's account of the final of the world championships on 2009 is outstanding. It usually does not work. Just because someone central to the story spoke does not mean their content is relevant, or their words well-crafted. Much of the quotations feels like filler. Do we need to know the names of restaurants people ate at?
So here is a strange review. Quite a panning, because I don't rate it as a good book. But quite a high rating because the subject and many details are fascinating to me, as a cycling fan.
February 18, 2017
Poorly written biography (with lots of quotes from Cadel, Chiarra and others more in the form of a diary – literally in Cadel’s case) which reads more like a footballer’s autobiography – ghost written by a journalist seemingly more used to articles than a book. The book is good for insights into Evans’s character (he feels unfairly judged by 5 minutes of You Tube, he resents being criticised for not attacking when he is at the limit trying (it is heavily implied) to keep up with doped riders, we understand some of his Northern Territory upbringing with a bohemian mother). However it lacks real structure and often context for what actually happened in the races plus often is very repetitive in a chapter (for example one on his winning the Pro Tour goes round and round in circles) – also sometimes it veers into pretentious writing and reads like a badly translated French cycling book.
October 12, 2011
An easy-to-read account of life as an elite road cyclist.
Written before his recent Tour De France victory, Close to Flying is Cadel's story in his words, as well as those of his wife, family, colleagues and friends.
If you are interested in a "beginner's guide" kind of a read, Close to Flying is a great starting point, as it doesn't go into too much political or technical background of cycling or Le Tour. But it will give you an honest, open and candid peek into the life of Australia's new Golden Boy. There is plenty of personally insightful information, to make the reader feel as though they are getting to know Cadel and the way his mind works.
Like any title about an elite sportsperson, it is extremely interesting to gain an insight into the lifestyle and commitment required to succeed at this level.
An easy read, that speeds along just like Cadel's bike!
Written before his recent Tour De France victory, Close to Flying is Cadel's story in his words, as well as those of his wife, family, colleagues and friends.
If you are interested in a "beginner's guide" kind of a read, Close to Flying is a great starting point, as it doesn't go into too much political or technical background of cycling or Le Tour. But it will give you an honest, open and candid peek into the life of Australia's new Golden Boy. There is plenty of personally insightful information, to make the reader feel as though they are getting to know Cadel and the way his mind works.
Like any title about an elite sportsperson, it is extremely interesting to gain an insight into the lifestyle and commitment required to succeed at this level.
An easy read, that speeds along just like Cadel's bike!
November 11, 2015
Cadel Evans close to flying is a great book. i really enjoyed it because it has his past life when he was a kid as well as his professional cycling career in mountain bikes and as a road cyclist. The lead up in this book was really exciting and you felt like you were experiencing it with him because you would see his result on the tv and then read the book and see how he felt in the race and the decisions he made.
July 23, 2016
This is a very interesting read if you have ever followed professional cycling. I read this book this year (a couple of years after Cadel won the Tour de France), which makes you look at the story from a different perspective. It would be interesting to read a follow up to this book once Cadel retires.
June 7, 2012
Really poorly written. Can't believe this guy is a journo! Maybe that explains it tho', guess writing short, sharp, snappy pieces is a world apart from writing a book.Sorry to say I would not recommend this.
January 9, 2011
The story itself is what makes it interesting, pity about the delivery.
June 12, 2011
a rather pedestrian piece of writing - like a very large magazine article.
July 21, 2011
I'm currently on page 201 and so far the book is great, i'm a fellow cyclist myself and this book is very inspirational. I'm now on page 250 cadel is well what we could call very dedicated.
July 18, 2012
Good read
January 5, 2013
It was alright, a bit disjointed. still if your a Cadel fan it's interesting to see how his life has been.
February 1, 2013
A good historical note. Would've liked more insight into Cadels character
February 10, 2013
Really interesting.
July 20, 2015
One of my favorite athletes, couldn't think of a better time of year to read it
December 28, 2011
A repetitive and poorly executed piece on a great athlete.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews