Reckless

by Alasdair Fotheringham (Artist)

Luis Ocana seemed doomed to live in the shadow of cycling's greatest ever rider, Eddy Merckx - 'The Cannibal'. Their rivalry defined Ocana's entire career, yet he was the one rider capable of beating the all-conquering Merckx in his prime. After an impoverished upbringing he flourished at the sport he loved and in 1970 secured his biggest victory on home soil, winning the Vuelta a Espana, and confirming his status as a Grand Tour challenger. But it was in the 1971 Tour de France that the battle between Merckx and Ocana reached its peak when, at the Orcieres-Merlette stage, he inflicted on Merckx the worst defeat he would suffer in a major Tour, with an astonishing 120 kilometre solo breakaway through the Alps. But then came one of most gut-wrenching crashes in Tour de France history when Ocana fell heavily on a Pyrenean descent, losing his leader's jersey, and with it his best chance of destroying Merckx's reputation of invincibility. In the midst of a torrential downpour, with minimal visibility, rider after rider crashed into the injured rider as he lay prone. The following day Merckx refused to wear the leader's jersey out of respect. It was only when Merckx was missing from the start-line in 1973 that Ocana became Spain's second ever Tour de France winner. If Merckx had been present, Ocana's chances of success would have been far slimmer. Further triumphs amassed before his swansong in 1976, but Ocana's decline in later life reflects the immense struggle he embraced during the height of his career. An enigmatic outsider to both the Spanish and French throughout his career - never truly accepted in either country - he died in mysterious circumstances aged just 48. A fascinating, complicated character both on and off his bike, Ocana's fierce determination, impetuosity and - some would say - reck

Genres: Cycling

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2014

About the author

Alasdair Fotheringham is a British foreign affairs and sports journalist, specializing in cycle racing. Based in Spain, Fotheringham works as a freelance journalist and has written articles for The Independent, The Independent On Sunday, The Guardian, The Daily Express, The Sunday Express, Cycling Weekly and Reuters. He has been The Independent's cycling correspondent since 2001, and having covered the Tour de France 17 times, Fotheringham covered the Olympic Games for the first time in 2008.

Reviews

[Martin Mccann · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a lot of cycling fans, Ocana seems to only feature because of how he lost the 1971 Tour de France, and how his eventual victory in 1973 was down to Merckx absence. Instead Fotheringham allows us to see there was much more to this man who was one of the few to actually challenge the dominance of The Cannibal. At one level he was complex, but at the basic level he had two modes- full on or off. Even the question of his nationality is open to debate-Spanish? French? a Spanish Frenchman or a French Spaniard?

There is a lot more to Ocana than the famous crash that robbed him of almost certain victory in 1971 at the Tour. His disregard of cycling tactics and reliance on pure power may have shortened his career, but if you are superstitious and believe in bad luck then it is fair to say that Ocana had much more than his fair share, although in some cases he did more to contribute to his own downfalls than simple bad fortune.

This is well written and deals with Ocana's death in a sensitive way, and while at times your heart can't help but feel for the man, the recklessness that provides the book with its central theme does give the impression that he was the architect of a lot of his own issues, and leaves the reader thinking that if Ocana could just have lifted the foot of the accelerator occasionally (both figuratively and, in relation to his many car crashes in reality) his career and life may have been happier. After all while his personality provides cycling fans with exciting stories of panache, we need to remember that this came with a personal cost to a real individual.

[Anthony Paolucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those amazing life stories, about an extraordinary individual, that you don't have to be a fan of the sport with which they're affiliated in order to appreciate. Sad, inspiring...you feel a broad spectrum of emotions as you go along. As far as cycling bios go, definitely one of my favorites.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ocana raised Merkx before I was born. I'd never heard of Ocana before reading this book. I found the book on a list of "best books about cycling." I do think someone with great interest in Ocana and/or Merckx might enjoy it. It just wasn't for me. It did get a bit better as it went on, but overall it was a struggle to get through it.

[David Findlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent r

another fine book about a Spanish cyclist by Alasdair Fotheringham. Following on from his excellent book about Bahamontes and preceding another excellent book about Indurain this is a great read. Loved it

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyable

[Andrew J. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great in depth take on a great unsung rider who proved Eddie was not super human. great book for enthusiast.

[Frederik Verrote · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book for ocanista ( and merckxista!)

those were the days of real cycling! well written about epic times! to be read between your own epic rides!