Merckx: Half Man, Half Bike
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Book Overview
Eddy Merckx is to cycling what Muhammad Ali is to boxing or Pele to soccer: simply the best there has ever been. Merckx amassed an astonishing 445 victories. Lance Armstrong, by comparison, managed fewer than 100. Merckx didn't just beat his opponents; he crushed them. But his triumphs only tell half a story that includes horrific injury, a doping controversy, and tragedy. He was nicknamed "the Cannibal" for his insatiable appetite for victory, but the moniker did scant justice to a man who was handsome, sensitive, and surprisingly anxious. A number-one bestseller in the United Kingdom, Half Man, Half Bike is the definitive story of a man whose fear of failure drove him to the highest pinnacles before ultimately destroying him.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1613747268
ISBN13:9781613747261
Release Date:April 2013
Publisher:Chicago Review Press
Length:320 Pages
Weight:0.88 lbs.
Dimensions:0.8" x 5.2" x 8.4"
Customer Reviews
1 rating
Eddy Merckx the most undisputed GOAT in any sport
Published by Espresso Donuts , 8 months ago
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the origins and domination of a legend I’ve never heard of. (I’m not a cyclist myself, but gained interest due to the Netflix documentary Tour de France: Unchained) The book gives a good overview of his childhood, amateur career, fast rise to the top, close calls of being humiliated, the relationships with his teammates, his downfall from utter supremacy in the sport. The author gives great context and paints a clear picture in just how much better he was than his opposition. An avid cyclist will better understand the races, racing style, names of key figures, etc. Nonetheless I still gained some insight into the mindset and insatiable desire to win from The Cannibal. A quote when asked about what drives him to win/push himself so much [Merckx] “It’s the most beautiful thing that there is in the world. If nature has given exceptional ability it would be a shame not to use it. You have to work on what you are given. Otherwise you will have achieved nothing in your life and wasted what you have in you.”
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