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Balmamion - The Eagle of Canavese by Herbie Sykes

8
£25.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Welcome reprint and upgrade for a timeless classic
Revives a classic book
New images are very welcome
Still a limited audience
Weight: 
645g
Contact: 

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At first glance, Balmamion is the story of an Italian cyclist whose name will probably be unfamiliar to most, despite winning his home Grand Tour; in reality it provides a much deeper understanding of cycling in Italy at the time, and the environment in which it operated. It's a great story, written by an expert.

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I always enjoy Herbie Sykes' writing, but that title doesn't give you much indication of what to expect, or even why you might be interested in it. Upon further investigation I discovered it's an update of The Eagle of Canavase, which was lauded by many, including our own Dan Kenyon in his review of Sykes' Maglia Rosa. I wouldn't disagree with those accolades.

Balmamion - The Eagle of Canavese by Herbie Sykes - 04.jpg

Originally published by Mousehold Press in 2008, the original is now out of print, but was one of those seminal books that passed me (and probably you) by at the time – happily, this new and improved version was worth the wait. Even if you didn't realise you were waiting...

This updated version has a new introduction from the author, and numerous new images which really enhance the presentation. The pictures are a mixture of race jerseys, black and white action shots, front pages from La Gazzetta dello Sport, race memorabilia, and more.

Balmamion - The Eagle of Canavese by Herbie Sykes - 05.jpg

While nominally about Franco Balmamion's 1962 Giro d'Italia win, in typical Sykes style you get a lot more than a blow-by-blow account of the race – although you do get some of that as well.

Just as with Geoffrey Nicholson's The Great Bike Race and Richard Moore's Slaying the Badger, the 'social, cultural, and sporting landscape' of the race and its protagonists are an important part of the story. This book will interest more than followers of the Giro, or even of Balmamion.

Balmamion - The Eagle of Canavese by Herbie Sykes - 03.jpg

Brilliantly, Sykes never intended to write this book – believing (wrongly) that he had 'neither the time nor the talent' – and only pitched it as a cover for his effort to blag one of the man's jerseys! Instead it became the first of several highly-regarded books about cycling.

> 38 of the best cycling books — check out the books every cyclist should own

Sykes addresses Balmamion's curious 'continued anonymity', despite his two wins at the Giro. It seems there are many factors, but a large part of it was by choice, as 'the idea that his career might bestow on him some degree of celebrity' would be 'embarrassing, unfathomable, distasteful even.' There's something you don't hear every day.

No matter how good this book is (and it is very good indeed), I fear the subject matter is always going to limit its appeal. Nevertheless, I'm sure many people would enjoy this book, if only they knew it existed, and how interesting it is. So now you know!

Verdict

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Balmamion - The Eagle of Canavese by Herbie Sykes

Size tested: n/a

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

From Rapha Editions:

"In the year that the Giro is strangely absent, award-winning author and renowned cycling historian Herbie Sykes plots the history of the race's least likely winner. Drawing on his immense knowledge of Italian cycling and personal encounters with a man he now calls a friend, Sykes introduces us to Franco Balmamion and retells the tale of his forgotten Giro win in 1962.

"We've all heard the legends of Coppi and Bartali but the period that followed their retirement is a far less well known chapter in the history of Italian cycling. Even some of the great riders of this era have been largely forgotten, but not by Herbie Sykes.

"An avid collector of rare cycling jerseys, Sykes was in Turin aiming to add to his collection when he became aware of a two-time Giro winner who nobody seemed to know. Franco Balmamion was, like Sykes, a fan of Turin's second football team and, unbeknown to all but the most encyclopedic of fans, he had won the Giro in 1962 and 1963. Determined to meet him and hopeful of securing one of his jerseys, Sykes vowed to write a book all about him.

"Balmamion draws on a unique collection of priceless memorabilia to set the scene in a country still searching for its next cycling campionissimo. Sykes plots the early years of Franco's career before attentions turn to the 1962 Giro that made his name. Insightful stage summaries are accompanied by each edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport from throughout the race as Balmamion's race ebbs and flows from a near knock-out blow on the second stage to a most unexpected victory three weeks later."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Title: Balmamion

Author: Herbie Sykes

Publisher: Rapha Editions

Date: 12/6/20

Format: Flexibound soft bound

Pages: 219

ISBN: 9781912164141

Price: £25

Rate the product for value:
 
4/10

It's a lavish production using an expensive format, which is never cheap.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes, selectively.

Use this box to explain your overall score

This is a great read, with the usual Rapha production values.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 60  Height:   Weight:

I usually ride:   My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding,

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1 comments

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Yorky-M | 3 years ago
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Have a very well read copy of the authors book on the Giro and will buy this.... has to be just mighty if from the same pen

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