Domestique

The Real-life Ups and Downs of a Tour Pro

Nonfiction, Sports, Reference, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book Domestique by Charly Wegelius, Ebury Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Charly Wegelius ISBN: 9781448148370
Publisher: Ebury Publishing Publication: June 6, 2013
Imprint: Ebury Digital Language: English
Author: Charly Wegelius
ISBN: 9781448148370
Publisher: Ebury Publishing
Publication: June 6, 2013
Imprint: Ebury Digital
Language: English

For 11 years I was a professional cyclist, competing in the hardest and greatest races on Earth. I was in demand from the world's best teams, a well-paid elite athlete. But I never won a race. I was the hired help.

When my mum dropped me off in a small French town aged 17, I was full of determination to be a professional cyclist, but I was completely green. I went from mowing the team manager's lawn to winning every amateur race I entered. Then I turned pro and realised I hated the responsibility and pressure of chasing victory. And that's when I became a domestique.

I learned to take that hurt and give it everything I had to give, all for someone else's win. When the order came in to ride it was I pushed out with the hardest rhythm I could, dragging the group faster and faster, until my whole body screamed with pain. There were times I rode myself to a standstill, clutching the barrier metres from the line, as the lead group shot past. But that's what made me a so good at my job.

As my career took off, I started looking at the fans lining the route, cheering us like heroes. The passion for cycling oozed off them, but they couldn't know what it was really like. They didn't see the terrible hotels, the crazy egos or all the shit that goes with great expectations. Well, this is how it is.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

For 11 years I was a professional cyclist, competing in the hardest and greatest races on Earth. I was in demand from the world's best teams, a well-paid elite athlete. But I never won a race. I was the hired help.

When my mum dropped me off in a small French town aged 17, I was full of determination to be a professional cyclist, but I was completely green. I went from mowing the team manager's lawn to winning every amateur race I entered. Then I turned pro and realised I hated the responsibility and pressure of chasing victory. And that's when I became a domestique.

I learned to take that hurt and give it everything I had to give, all for someone else's win. When the order came in to ride it was I pushed out with the hardest rhythm I could, dragging the group faster and faster, until my whole body screamed with pain. There were times I rode myself to a standstill, clutching the barrier metres from the line, as the lead group shot past. But that's what made me a so good at my job.

As my career took off, I started looking at the fans lining the route, cheering us like heroes. The passion for cycling oozed off them, but they couldn't know what it was really like. They didn't see the terrible hotels, the crazy egos or all the shit that goes with great expectations. Well, this is how it is.

More books from Ebury Publishing

Cover of the book Good Food: Budget Dishes by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Wicked Words: Sex And Music by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book The Miner's Girl by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book The Black Lace Sexy Quiz Book by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Doctor Who: The Stealers of Dreams by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Angel Pets by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Dambusters by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Secrets from the Afterlife by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Sisterhood Of The Institute by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book School For Stingers by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Mixed Signals by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book The Senses Bejewelled by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Good Food: Meals For Two by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book The Society Of Sin by Charly Wegelius
Cover of the book Slimming World's Everyday Italian by Charly Wegelius
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy