Colombia Es Pasion!: How Colombia's Young Racing Cyclists Came of Age

by Matt Rendell

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 Pasión! 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

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Sports

352 pages, Hardcover

Published March 19, 2020

Reviews

[Maria Vargas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learned about this book through the En La Banca Podcast where Matt Rendell was a guest. I was fascinated and blown away by Matt’s curiosity and passion towards Colombia and the cycling culture there. As a foreigner he has so much knowledge towards the subject that as a Colombian myself I had little knowledge about. So I picked up this book. Most of all I love that he emphasizes how Colombia’s unique historical past and present (social, economic, political) really shapes athletes and how cycling has shined a spotlight on our country. Excellent book. Highly recommend the podcast episode to complement the book as in some ways I think the podcast covers certain topics better.

[Peter Hadingue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well researched and great book from Matt. I never knew how much of a hard life the current generation of Columbian riders have had to endure to reach the top of cycling. Civil War, murders, poverty. Amazing I have even more respect for these riders.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interessant boek over de achtergrond van de Colombiaanse wielrenners.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep dive into Colombian cycling history, political history and culture. Quite a fascinating read and recommend to cyclists and fans of Colombian cycling.

[Hiccopolit · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - Interesting insight into the rise of Colombian cycling and its place in modern Colombian history. Despite having watched them race for several years, I had little knowledge of the backstories of the latest crop of Colombian riders and it was pleasing to build a picture of who they are where the come from. While reading this book I visited Colombia and felt firsthand the pride locals have in their heroes, and saw how riders like Rigoberto Uran, who is the face of budget airline VIVA - are symbols of hope for a country emerging from decades of turmoil.

The book is sometimes a bit tricky to follow with the narrative jumping between backstories of minor family connections of current riders, tensions and fallings out between a cast of unmemorable figures in the dysfunctional Colombian cycling ecosystem and strings of results listed in unknown (to me) races in unknown (to me) places.

I thought the emphasis on how unlucky each of the Colombian riders had been at various races ( x was ill, y hit and oil slick and fell, z got a puncture at the wrong time) got a little tedious, and the angle was a little strange for a writer so familiar with cycling. The cruel and sometimes violent fates of cycling is a core element of the sport, and in every race all but one rider will give you a sob story and an unlucky reason why they didn’t win - there is a lot of potential bad luck and precious little good luck in any given cycling race.

I also thought the choice to end the book with a vague but portentous reference to climate change, which as far as I could tell had little to do with the themes of the rest of the book was a bit clumsy.

Overall, an interesting subject, executed moderately well, but I can’t help but feel another editor could have helped with flow and readability.

[Camilo Mazuera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author writes a good book on Colombian cycling. These stories must be told, and he makes an excellent effort, interviewing many people and researching a lot about Colombian cycling. I liked some of the final thoughts of the book.

I was under the impression that the title —and some book sections— felt slightly like an advertorial. I wasn’t under that impression when I first knew about the book. But as soon as the author started interviewing Luis Guillermo Plata, I felt it was a Colombia Es Pasión brand positioning (even if this brand is extinct nowadays). I found it hard to follow when he changed the subject (it felt abrupt and that it cut the reading flow). Additionally, I sensed some problems when discussing politics at specific moments in the book. If the author wanted to get immersed in the topic, I would have expected more profound research.

That same thing happened when talking about doping. I know the author has a strong position on this topic, but it is very explicit and may not be the book’s objective. (For example, when discussing Sergio Luis Henao’s problem at Sky. In the cycling world, things may not be black or white.) I wonder how the book would have been different if Quintana’s Tramadol problem had come out before publishing.

As I read in another review, it feels like a hagiography. And I feel that. Especially when writing about Nairo Quintana. I thought about a 3-star rating, but the author does outstanding cycling research and records stories that must be registered. I only recommend it if you, like me, love cycling. Still, it has some things to be improved.

[Patrick Santino · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent concept for a book about the beloved generation of Colombian cyclists who stormed the World Tour throughout the entire “Teens” decade, culminating with Bernal’s Tour de France victory in 2019. This generation of cyclists all, 100%, come from a modern peasantry similar to the Pre-War peasantry of Western Europe where cycling had its origins, but these Colombians growing up at the turn of the century were not just dealing with rural poverty, but also constant terror threats of ruthless drug cartels. But over the past few decades as Colombian cycling fortunes have risen, so has the standard of living as more law & order has been brought to the country; the cyclists are national talismans & heroes for the people, symbolizing the rising prosperity of the nation. Unfortunately I found the execution of this book to be subpar, to the point where I find my 3-star rating generous. I liked some of the chapters well enough, most notably Nairo’s opening origins chapter, and I thought the author did a decent enough job covering a few common aspects of the upbringings of all the riders. These aspects being: the indigenous native Americans roots that still radiate among the High Mountains, & the inspiring humble peasant hard manual labor work ethic required not only for sporting success but also survival. Both of these aspects are vanishing apparently because of technical modernity. But unfortunately beyond these themes, this book was lacking in many respects.

[Matilda · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Loved loved loved. Such an authentic insight into the lives of some of Colombia's current best cyclists. It's so interesting to read their own words - I only wish I could have read the original Spanish. Perfectly weaves together the relationship between the cyclists and the recent history and culture of Colombia to offer a sensitive examination of both. And I just love this current generation of Colombian cyclists so so so much!!!

[Ángel Muñoz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. It is not only a Cycling book, but a cultural, political, economical and social view of Colombia that is blended together with the sport.

I liked how the individual stories of the cyclists are told and in several points in time they join. The common peasant roots of everyone is something to keep in mind and the last chapter talking about the indigenous participation in sports makes me think about the future; hopefully with more support from the state.

[Jordan Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a cycling fan the rise of Colombia as a powerhouse has been a breathe of fresh air and also somewhat confusing.

This great book explains exactly how the rise has come and breathes life into the characters of Colombian cycling that we don't always see in the peloton.

This is one of the best cycling books to have come out over the last couple of years and would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in Colombia or cycling.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed catalog of inspiring stories rendered with care and one could say affection. Matt Rendell writes beautifully and from a wholly human perspective. The piecemeal structure of the book makes it feel a bit flat and slow going at times. The back story of Columbia's history, cultures and the ever present theme of resilience hold it together. Not my favorite Rendell book but worth the read.

[Andrés Calderón Bernal · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read, although it would have been great if the author had addressed the variety of culture in Colombia, a nation of almost 50M people where cycling is only a «way of life» in Central Colombia. Weightlifting, for example, plays a fundamental role in Valle del Cauca, Western Colombia.

[eoghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit short on some of the stories and it went in a weird order but it gave really good, extensive political and social context to Colombian cycling and the stories that made the cyclists who they are. I would have liked to read more about Bernal’s journey in 2018-19 and the reaction back home. Matt writes well from the viewpoint of a British polyglot with a deep understanding of Colombian culture.

[Patrick Tarbox · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read, got in-depth and went deep on a topic that is not easy. Maybe a little too much scribbling down results and calling it good, could be 20 pages shorter and still as good, if not better. Still enjoyed it and recommend it!

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Negative - not enough esteban chaves

Seriously though, this was a very interesting read. I particularly liked that this goes into the riders beginnings in the sport and personal life of the cyclists.

[Ankush Agarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant account of the lives and hardships of 21st century Colombian cyclists set against the backdrop of political developments in modern Colombia. The writing style is a bit erratic which makes the book a bit difficult to read.

[Adam Becket · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit too much of a hagiography for my tastes. I fear this is the problem with writing a book about *current* riders.

[Enda Hackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book although the piecemeal approach does detract slightly from the content. A must for any cycling fan and anyone interested in Colombia.

[Martha Pskowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Rendell achieves a rare combination of passion for sport and attention to culture and politics. Will think of the personal stories of these cyclists every time I see them compete.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the end of this book Rendell had successfully passed some of his love of Colombia, and particularly Nairo, on to me. It's difficult not to be inspired by the journey Colombia's young riders have to take, and similarly by the amazingly warm descriptions of those who support them along the way, often against a backdrop of violence and hardship.

The reflections on Colombian language and history and the nature of the peasant tradition as it sits within modern Colombia are really charming and it's a fine book.

My only gripe is that the cyclist's journeys from youth level, as well as the sheer number of current stars accommodated, don't always leave a lot of space for the actual cycling and some chapters list out an awful lot of junior results. Most of the riders described are still writing their stories in pro cycling however and the focus on how they got here makes the book feel much less immediately-dated than it might have been.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of Colombian cycling for all serious cycling fans

[James Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to know about Columbian cycling - there is no better place to start. This isn’t though just about the cycling, it’s about a lives that they leave behind and characters who try to make a difference - the downside? There’s almost too much to take in and the speed in places possibly could do with slowing down

[Cameron Kennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

These guys would drop me on a tricycle