{"product_id":"9781472979537","title":"Magic Spanner : SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2020","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eMagic Spanner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor(s): Carlton Kirby, Robbie Broughton\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e***\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2020 – CYCLING BOOK OF THE YEAR\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e***\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrepare to be entertained as legendary Eurosport cycling commentator Carlton Kirby shares his tales from the road, taking you behind the scenes of the world's greatest cycle races.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'\u003cb\u003eA genuine one-off \u003c\/b\u003ewith a ready wit and a killer anecdote to hand at all times' Ian Cleverly, \u003ci\u003eRouleur\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Carlton Kirby is no ordinary cycling commentator, so it is not surprising that this very entertaining book is no ordinary Grand Tour on a bicycle. \u003cb\u003eA\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003every enjoyable journey for everyone\u003c\/b\u003e' Phil Liggett MBE, NBC Tour de France commentator\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'Carlton Kirby's \u003cb\u003einfectious enthusiasm\u003c\/b\u003e, wine tips and Shakespearean joy for inventing words makes every stage of a bike race a must-watch event' Matt Butler, \u003ci\u003ei \u003c\/i\u003enewspaper\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a candid authority that comes from over 25 years commentating on the world's biggest cycling races, legendary Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby isn't afraid to tell it like it really is. Witty, outrageous and often outspoken, \u003ci\u003eMagic Spanner\u003c\/i\u003e is an insider's view of life on cycling's Grand Tours, including the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia, Vuelta a España and the classics, all delivered in the inimitable style for which Carlton has become globally famous.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePeppered with hilarious anecdotes of life on the road with Tour legend Sean Kelly, Carlton gives us an expert, behind-the-scenes view – one that the average fan rarely gets to see or hear about. As well as sharing his various bugbears (including crazy spectators in mankinis to the more serious issues of rider safety), Carlton also lifts the lid on team strategies, and delves into some of cycling's more questionable ethics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDelivering a mix of expert opinion and trademark wit, Carlton covers the funny, the serious and the more bizarre moments on the professional cycling caravan. This edition also includes Carlton's guide to watching bike racing - live at the roadside.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview(s):\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Carlton is never lost for words, whether commentating or writing. \u003cb\u003eA genuine one-off with a ready wit and a killer anecdote to hand at all times\u003c\/b\u003e” —\u003ci\u003eIan Cleverly, Rouleur\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003cb\u003eCarlton Kirby is no ordinary cycling commentator\u003c\/b\u003e, so it is not surprising that this \u003cb\u003every entertaining book\u003c\/b\u003e is no ordinary Grand Tour on a bicycle. \u003cb\u003eA very enjoyable journey for everyone\u003c\/b\u003e” —\u003ci\u003ePhil Liggett MBE, NBC Tour de France commentator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Carlton Kirby's infectious enthusiasm, wine tips and Shakespearean joy for inventing words makes every stage of a bike race a \u003cb\u003emust-watch event\u003c\/b\u003e” —\u003ci\u003eMatt Butler, i newspaper\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Carlton's commentary \u003cb\u003enever fails \u003c\/b\u003eto bring a bike race to life, he has to be \u003cb\u003ethe Dalai Lama of all TV commentators\u003c\/b\u003e” —\u003ci\u003eMick Bennett, Tour of Britain Race Director\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“There's never a dull moment working with Carlton... I do try to keep him under control” —\u003ci\u003eJoanna Rowsell-Shand MBE, Double Olympic Team Pursuit Gold Medallist and multiple World Champion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Kirby pulls back the curtain to reveal behind-the-scenes antics from cycling's Grand Tours, laying bare the hilarious, leftfield and downright bizarre moments that covering the sport brings.” —\u003ci\u003eThe Herald\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Carlton's style often borders on controlled madness... sometimes without the control” —\u003ci\u003eBrian Smith - commentator, team manager and British Road Race Champion 1991 \u0026amp; 1994\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I've heard all these stories before, but it was great to read them in silence...” —\u003ci\u003eDan Lloyd, GCN presenter and winner of the 2008 Vuelta Extremadura\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Get that bloody [Carlton] Kirby down here – I'd like to give him a good slap” —\u003ci\u003eMark Cavendish\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“[Carlton Kirby] You make it sound like I'm not paying attention” —\u003ci\u003eChris Froome\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN:  9781472979537\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e ","brand":"Bloomsbury Sport","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":40814320287950,"sku":"9781472979537","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/pickwickbookshop.com\/products\/9781472979537","provider":"Pickwick Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}