One of the greatest books ever written about the life of a professional athlete- the full story beind life in the peloton. Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award An eye-opening expose of and a heart-breaking lament for professional cycling Paul Kimmage's boyhood dreams were of cycling glory- wearing the yellow jersey, cycling the Tour de France, becoming a national hero. He knew it wouldn't come easy, but he was prepared to put in the graft. The dedication paid off - he finished sixth in the World Championships as an amateur and in 1986, he turned professional. He soon discovered it wasn't about courage, training hours or how much you wanted to win. It was about gruelling defeats, total exhaustion, and drugs - drugs that would allow you to finish the race and start another day. Kimmage ultimately left the sport to write this book - profoundly honest and ground-breaking, Rough Ride broke the silence surrounding the issue of drugs in sport, and documents one man's love for, and struggle with, the complex world of professional cycling. 'A must read for any cyclist' Cyclist WINNER OF WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR