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  • Bloody Minded

  • My Life in Cycling
  • By: Alex Dowsett
  • Narrated by: Joshua Riley
  • Length: 11 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (41 ratings)

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Bloody Minded

By: Alex Dowsett
Narrated by: Joshua Riley
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Summary

Bloomsbury presents Bloody Minded by Alex Dowsett, read by Joshua Riley.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2024 – CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR

'Immensely readable and revealing'
The Guardian

'A must read'
Phil Liggett, MBE

'A story like no other in cycling'
Ned Boulting

IMAGINE COMPETING IN THE WORLD'S MOST BRUTAL CYCLE RACES, KNOWING THAT A CRASH COULD BE FATAL

Alex Dowsett is one of Britain's greatest cyclists. He has ridden Grand Tours and Classics for elite teams including Sky and Movistar and broke the iconic World Hour Record – the ultimate time trial challenge. With humour, insight and honesty, Alex recounts his years as a pro-cyclist and the challenges he has faced in his struggle to reach the top.

Alex has achieved all this despite being the only able-bodied elite sportsperson in the world with haemophilia A. He describes how the condition – in which falls can be fatal – both blighted his young sporting life, and boosted his determination to succeed. Every professional cyclist requires courage, but Alex takes fearlessness to another level in a sport where injury and suffering are a given.

With an all-star cycling cast, including Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Mark Cavendish and Lance Armstrong, this pulsating book lifts the lid on life in the peloton at the world’s top level. From his highs – including Giro d’Italia stage victories – to his frustrations at the injustices he faced in the sport, Alex's memoir perfectly chronicles a career in which he was driven equally by love and rage.

Combining Alex's personal triumphs with his unique take on being part of the golden age of British cycling, this is an unmissable tale of sporting endeavour.

'A fascinating insight into the mindset of an elite sportsman who overcame great odds to reach the very top'
Simon Brotherton

'The humblest super-talent in the peloton, proving nice guys can win. A wonderful book'
Carlton Kirby

'An inspiration for anyone who wants to do whatever they’re told they can’t.'
Michael Hutchinson

'Such an inspiring tale. Poignant and moving, and told with forthright honesty'
Peter Cossins

©2023 Alex Dowsett (P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
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What listeners say about Bloody Minded

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  • Overall
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Honest and extremely heartfelt

Best and most honest cycling biography I’ve read. But what is more special is his story and triumph over his adversity and what special parents he has. Also brings home the importance of education and role models for every one in life. Best wishes to Alex and all his amazingly supportive family

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Best Cycling Biography in Years

There is an engaging and absorbing story that sits at the heart of Dowsett's cycling journey, his haemophilia.
But this is much more than his story on overcoming this huge hurdle and become a world class cyclist, it is also just a really honest exploration of cycling, including some of the darker elements. He does not hold back on his views, and he will have upset a few with his honesty, however, this honesty makes this an extremely good book.
I have read or listened to most of the major cycling biographies written in the last 20 or so years and this sits right at the top of the pile. It is not a boring detailed narrative of race after race but a story of how he traversed that life as a thoughtful human with complicated burdens.
An excellent book, a highly recommend it.

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Insightful and honest

Loved the story, very honest . Not so keen on the narrator’s voice and style though!

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Refreshingly honest

A refreshingly honest depiction of a fascinating life and career in professional cycling, a thoroughly recommended read

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Honest Insite into cycle racing and haemophilia

A great listen, I can’t say more than that!
if you don’t pro-cycle racing, you’ll love it!

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Excellent book

Well worth getting this one. Gives great insight to Alex's life on cycling and the life he had to go through.

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Honest & Frank Book

This book is well worth the listen its honest and refreshing with humour with all he had to do to get where he finished as professional cyclist

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Great insight

Great insight to Alex’s life struggles as the only professional sports start with haemophilia. This was a very humbling life story hearing the struggles that a young haemophiliac have to deal with was very touching and brought a tear to my eye on a few occasions.

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A Brutally Honest and Emotional Read

This book was written from the heart. From the start this books grabs you and continues to impress from start to finish. A wonderful insight into the life of a professional cyclist.

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Moving

Fantastic story of courage, stubbornness, guidance and inspiration. Well done Alex, Phil, Jan, Lois and everyone who supported a great rider.

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