The Sweat of the Gods

An elegant history of Continental cycle racing by Dutch sociologist Benjo Maso. He explores the relationship between the newspaper organisers of the races, industry which sponsors the teams, and the riders themselves. They have always needed each other but, because their interests are different, they have continually been in conflict.

For a century professional cycle racing on the Continent has been shaped by a complex relationship between three groups: newspapers and television which organised the races and reported them; industry which sponsored the teams of riders; and the riders themselves. They have always needed each other but, because their interests are different, they have continually been in conflict with one another.
The one interest they do share is in endowing cycle racing with its unique character - its emphasis on heroism and an extraordinary willingness on the part of the rider to suffer.

So, the stories about the races and the riders have always been somewhat taller than the