Line

by Richard Freeman

'Dr Freeman is a man of great integrity and kindness. His care has helped me through the good times and the hardships of competing in the highest level of sport' - Sir Bradley Wiggins

As team doctor for British Cycling and Team Sky, Dr Richard Freeman treated the world's most successful cyclists, such as Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins, Laura Trott and Victoria Pendleton. From 2009 until 2017, the 'Doc' was part of the team who became national heroes with Olympic and Tour de France victories.

In The Line, Dr Freeman reveals the medical principles and practices that helped lead these athletes to success - ideas that we now consider commonplace, but many of which were in fact the Doc's own innovations. And in a sport where there's an ethical line as well as a finishing line, Dr Freeman gives a frank and open account in response to allegations of misuse of medical treatment to enhance performance.

'There are many fascinating issues - personal, medical and ethical - documented in The Line, but cycling enthusiasts will perhaps be most fascinated in the detail of how elite athletes train' - Matthew Syed, The Times

'Dr Freeman kept me performing at my best throughout my journey to become an Olympic champion' - Victoria Pendleton

Genres: Cycling

336 pages, Hardcover

Published June 28, 2018

About the author

Dr. Richard Freeman
There is more than one author with this name

team doctor for British Cycling and Team Sky

Reviews

[Ivor Kovic]

Easy to read book. A little bit difficult to define. It is not an autobiography, it is not a science book, it is not a training book. It is something in between. If you for example know a lot about cycling, medicine, sports medicine, nutrition etc. you might not learn much. But still there is a chance to enjoy some personal stories. All in all a positive book. Has some great medicine/health related messages and educational points for lay people. As a medical doctor, precisely an emergency medicine specialist, I winced at some sections, particularly a description of a bad crash at a velodrome and medical treatment that followed. OK, the rider was saved, and maybe all was done perfectly, but the description and some statements are a bit wrong. Not something that would really have any substantial impression on an average reader. But I am sure my emergency/trauma colleagues will have the same reaction. Nevertheless I am very happy to see a colleague promoting healthy lifestyle, nutrition, wellbeing, and even going as far as emphasising the importance of CPR. All up for that, and would surely recommend the book to my friends and patients.

[Louis Peter-Callery]

Brilliant book with excellent writing from Doctor Richard Freeman. In depth knowledge, and a great understandable writing style. Would recommend 👍🏼

[Mr M C Brown]

A grand tour of a read.

Factual, well written overview of the life of a Doctor within the peloton. A must read for all cycling fans. Will it silent the sceptics, I doubt it but who cares about them.

[David]

Pretty interesting.

[Declan]

Interesting not sure what type of book it is
Giving advice, telling stories , an autobiography

Definitely an interesting life

[Daniel Titus]

This was a very insightful book, so much to learn from it. This gives u a good view of what it takes to be a pro rider.
Lots of info that you can use as a cyclist

[David Fish]

There was a lot of great information in this book about the author's experience applying sports medicine to cycling while also highlighting the need for the collaborative effort between him, the coaches, and the athletes to ensure the best performance and health was achieved. I wish some of the information went a little deeper on the medicine side of things, but it was great to read more about the roles sports med has to play as well as providing insight into the world of competitive cycling. I highly recommend watching a video of Team Sky's Death Star on YouTube, it's crazy how much goes into their transportation! Also, the author provided a lot of great visuals and references to access outside of the book to flesh out his narrative more.

[Harry]

A tedious read that studiously ignores the elephant in the room.