The Break: Life as a Cycling Maverick

by Steve Cummings

Sharp, resourceful and a permanent outsider; for nearly 20 years Steve Cummings determinedly blazed his own winning trail in international cycling.

A maverick who defied the dominant teams, to record a sequence of gloriously improbable victories, he has lived and raced with legends of the sport - Cavendish, Wiggins, Froome, Thomas and others - about whom he has strong views and untold stories.

This autobiography of one of Britain's most successful international riders of the modern era takes the reader from Steve's earliest days as a junior, pounding across the flatlands of the Wirral, through his love-hate relationships with the British Cycling track cycling squad, to his series of top-level breakaway victories in the Tour de France, Tour of Britain and Vuelta a España and - rather than standout physical talent - how developing his own strategies and training techniques enabled him to succeed against the odds.

"Getting in a break was my one chance of winning. The hard part was working out, again and again, how to make that chance count." --Steve Cummings

Genres: Cycling, Nonfiction, Memoir

336 pages, Hardcover

Published August 19, 2022

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for the true cycling geek. The writing itself isn’t spectacular, but I enjoyed the insider’s take on bike racing. I particularly enjoyed the stories of many riders that are still competing today, as my cycling knowledge starts around 2019.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it’s me and I’ve read too many autobiography’s from pro cyclists but I found Steve’s story a bit hard going. The parts about him and his challenges and successes was pretty interesting but there are a lot of chapters about other cyclists that were rehashing their own stories. What does stand out is his tour stage victory on Mandela Day in 2016, a real epic story. Sorry Steve and Alistair, not the most compelling cyclist book around. Back to the second hand shop…

[Mat Greener · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to read lots of cycling books & picked this up not expecting much but was pleasantly surprised. An honest self examination of someone who doesn't fit in with stereotype teams these days of a GC contender or sprinter or helper to one of those. In fact many of his palmares have slipped under the radar having ridden in the golden age of British cycling. If you cycling memoirs this is worth reading

[Jared Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book since I love the Tour de France. He is talking about stages that I saw in person and we can get an insiders view of what happened. Really cool read!!!

[lewis craven · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the best.

Excellent read giving insight into the type of rider able to perform multiple stage wins. Probably one of the hardest tasks in pro racing. Better than most of the books written by the GC riders for me. Analytical and honest.

[Brian Haining · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cycle as a hobby and have an interest in Pro road cycling

I knew of Steve but not in any great detail.

I really enjoyed the pace of the book where Steve details the realities of being a pro cyclist, the dynamic of an individual being part of a team, and supporting the team aims often putting individual ambition aside.

Steve talks at length about his relationship with some of the greats, Wiggins, Thomas, Froome, and Cavendish.

He also goes through his thought process during a race where he assesses opponents' strengths and weaknesses, the road contours, and where best to make a move. To do this when the race is constantly changing, when he is physically tired, is enlightening.

I thoroughly enjoyed Steve's story and would recommend to anyone keen on pro cycling

[Thomas Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few interesting insights, and it's commendable that he has taken what he has learnt and formed it into a set of guidelines for approaching sport and life in general. He seems to have good perspective and focus, and be committed to learning.

For me it lacked cohesion (random chapters about the personalities and styles of major riders he'd been in teams with were somewhat interesting, but also disruptive.) And it generally falls into the way of many sports autobiographies - there was this race and I did this, then this one, then this one, this result, that result...

[Adrian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest and very personal account of a professional cyclist.

Very good insight into the hard work and perseverance needed to win at the top level of professional cycling. Well worth a read.

[JOHN MITCHELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes you appreciate the Breakaway

A Good book, well written and engaging. Throughout the book Steve's commitment and sheer effort, and some time bloodymindedness, shines through. Makes you appreciate the art of the breakaway even more. Enjoy.

[T Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest and clearly written by the actual author and not the polished words of a seasoned sports journo

[Ian Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fine book. Nicely written (by ghost Alasdair Fotheringham). Way better than the foreword writer’s autobiography; give that one a miss, this is well worth a read.