Ring of Fire

Ring of Fire

by RickBroadbent (Author)

Synopsis

"Ring of Fire" is an insider's account of the acclaim, heroism and pressures of being a MotoGP racer. This is a world where manufacturers invest millions, and where a rider will emerge from a coma with shattered legs and bloody lungs to get back on his bike to save his job. This is the first book to cover the whole of the MotoGP era, at the centre of which is Valentino Rossi. "Ring of Fire" charts his rise, fall and rebirth, detailing the darker side to his rivalries with Max Biaggi and Sete Gibernau and his battles with the tax man and the media. This is a warts-and-all portrait with tales of vandalised cars and the racer who wants to torch 'the whole goddamn valley'. It is a breathless behind-the-scenes look at what makes these riders tick, from double World Superbike champion James Toseland to warring Spanish starlets Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. Rick Broadbent looks back at the sport's tradition of reprobates and debauchery. He introduces us, not just to the stars, but also to the officials, parents, doctors, team owners and fans who make up this white-knuckle sport. By turns funny, sad, shocking and uplifting, "Ring of Fire" brings us face to face with all those who are bonded by a shared love of risking it all at 200mph.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Publisher: Bantam Press
Published: 16 Jul 2009

ISBN 10: 0593062639
ISBN 13: 9780593062630
Book Overview: A high-octane revelation of the feuds, danger, politics and adrenaline inside the world of MotoGP.
Prizes: Shortlisted for William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2009.

Media Reviews
This is a stunning book. It is history but reads like a can't put it down novel - hardly surprising considering it grippingly features the two greatest motor cyclists of all time, Mike Hailwood and Valentino Rossi. Rick Broadbent tells the enthralling story of a thrilling and dangerous sport like never before and it had me by the throat Murray Walker It was an odd decision to alternate a celebration of the brilliance of Valentino Rossi, today's Italian motorcycling superstar, with a reconstruction of episodes from the life and times of Mike Hailwood, the biking ace of the 1960s and 1970s, but it succeeds brilliantly. The technology is quite different, and so are the rewards, but the requirements of a true racer - courage and skill - are unchanging. In this hymn of praise to those who live closest to the edge, you can smell the grease and burning rubber. -- Nick Pitt Sunday Times 20091129 Peppered with anecdotes and insight... a fantastic, page turning read which presents a window into the personalities which are normally only seen on the track or in a press conference MotoGPBlog A fantastic new book... well worth getting MotoGP World 20090714 Impressive Leicester Mercury 20090810
Author Bio
Rick Broadbent is a sports writer for the Times, for whom he covers MotoGP, among other things. He has previously witten books on football, boxing and athletics as well as, most recently, collaborating with motorcycle legend Ron Haslam on his autobiography Rocket Men, published by Bantam Press in July 2008.