The Belgian Hammer

Good cycling books are a rarity. Great cycling books don’t come along that often. ‘The Belgian Hammer’ is a new book by Daniel Lee, a passionate journalist and cyclist. He has scribed a story of what it takes for young Americans to make it in professional cycling.

“is inspired by the simple notion that the future is always with the young.”

For an American cyclist to break into professional European cycling and reach the Tour de France is to scale a lofty mountain and venture into a strange new world. But rising stars such as Lawson Craddock of Texas, Ben King of Virginia, Taylor Phinney of Colorado, Cole House of Wisconsin and Tyler Farrar of Washington state are doing just that as they endure crashes, cold rain, cobblestones, crosswinds, and culture shock on their road to cycling stardom.

The book is available to pre-order at a reduced rate:

http://www.amazon.com/Belgian-Hammer-Americans-Professional-Cyclists/dp/1891369911/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304609257&sr=1-1

This is the story of the next generation of riders not yet tainted by drug scandals, of riders still bursting with hope and potential. This is the story American cycling fans, indeed ALL cycling fans need right now.

“My book highlights the adventure and struggle — young riders hurting, hoping and hammering — of cyclists trying to make it to the Pro Tour. But, sadly, I cannot ignore doping. The book contains a chapter, titled “Cycling’s Sad Side,” about doping as well as injuries. For that chapter, I do not name names or talk about doping methods. But I did do some investigative reporting to crunch data from USADA’s Website to truly compare cycling’s problem with other sports. I also interviewed a former cycling team doctor about the sad aftermath of riders who doped — depression, substance abuse etc.”

Please follow Daniel Lee on Twitter here.