Eagle of the Canavese

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A portrait of Franco Balmamion, the quiet Italian who won two editions of the Giro d'Italia without taking a single stage, by Rouleur contributor Herbie Sykes.

Reviews of The Eagle of the Canavese:

". . . packed with zest and anecdote, this account of Balmamion, the 'forgotten man' of the 1960s is a joy to read."
- David Harmon, British Eurosport

"Italian cycle racing in the 60s brought to life with a refreshingly new perspective. This is a book about courage and deceit, joy and the sadness of careers that were lost. A tremendous read."
- Phil Liggett, cycling commentator

"This is much more than a simple biography of a great but long-forgotten rider. It paints a vivid and wry picture of 1960s Italy and cycling's place in Italian culture. The level of detail is astonishing and Herbie Sykes's love for racing and for the characters he encounters on his journey through the era is never in doubt. This is a great book, to be enjoyed by committed tifosi or anyone interested in the romance of cycle racing."
- Luke Edwardes-Evans, cycling editor and journalist

"I love Italy and I've had a lot of success there on the road. I rode the Giro last year. The Eagle of the Canavese is a real eye-opening look at my sport. The riders in the 60s obviously had a very tough time. This book is so revealing, once I started I couldn't put it down."
- Steve Cummings, World, Commonwealth gold and Olympic silver medalist

Publisher: Mousehold Press
ISBN: 9781874739494
Publication date: 02/05/08
196 pages / paperback