The Medal Factory: British Cycling and the Cost of Gold

by Kenny Pryde
The Medal Factory: British Cycling and the Cost of Gold cover
Good Books rating 4.1
Investigative Journalism
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  • ID: 6217
  • Added: 2025-11-06
  • Updated: 2025-11-06
  • ISBN: 9781782834168
  • Publisher: Profile Books
  • Published: 2020-02-20
  • Reviews: 3

The Medal Factory delves into the remarkable rise of British Cycling, Team Sky, and INEOS, exploring the strategies, controversies, and personal stories that shaped their dominance. Through interviews with key figures like Sir David Brailsford and Sir Chris Hoy, the book reveals the inner workings of an organization built on relentless efficiency and innovation, as well as the accusations of doping, bullying, and sexism that threatened to unravel it all. From amateur beginnings to a sports-science revolution, this book interrogates the well-known aspects of British Cycling's success, such as lottery funding and marginal gains, while also uncovering hidden truths that have remained concealed until now. It's a compelling narrative that challenges the perception of their achievements and invites readers to question the true cost of victory.

Reviews
The National · 2020-03-05
insightful 4.50

The book is highly recommended for its insightful and well-researched narrative. It offers a unique perspective on British Cycling's journey and the people involved.

The reviewer commends the author's extensive experience and contacts in the cycling world, which add depth to the story. The book is praised for its insightful narrative and the author's ability to provide a balanced view of British Cycling's successes and controversies. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling read that offers a unique perspective on the sport's evolution. The detailed accounts and personal insights make it a valuable addition to the literature on British Cycling.

Quick quotes

    It has so much to recommend it. Pryde is an experienced Scots cycling journalist and he brings both insight and a range of contacts to a story that needs telling.

    The book is highly recommended for its insightful and well-researched narrative.

    It offers a unique perspective on British Cycling's journey and the people involved.

road.cc · 2020-02-20
informative 4.00

The book provides a comprehensive and unvarnished look at British Cycling's successes and challenges. It delves into the complexities of the organization's journey to the top.

This review highlights the book's thorough examination of British Cycling's transformation. It praises the detailed account of the organization's achievements and the candid discussion of its flaws. The reviewer appreciates the balance and depth of the narrative, which offers a nuanced perspective on the sport's evolution. The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding the inner workings of a high-performing sports organization.

Quick quotes

    Pryde gives a 'warts and all' account of how BC made British cycling's sporting success the envy of the world.

    The book provides a comprehensive and unvarnished look at British Cycling's successes and challenges.

    It delves into the complexities of the organization's journey to the top.

Goodreads · 2020-02-20
comprehensive 3.80

The book provides a comprehensive look at British Cycling's transformation and the challenges faced along the way. It is praised for its detailed and balanced narrative.

This review highlights the book's comprehensive account of British Cycling's journey from amateurish beginnings to a dominant force in the sport. The reviewer appreciates the detailed narrative and the balanced discussion of the organization's successes and flaws. The book is seen as a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of high-performance sports. The reviewer finds the book to be an engaging and informative read that offers a unique perspective on the sport's evolution.

Quick quotes

    The Medal Factory tells the full story from amateurish beginnings through a sports-science revolution to an all-conquering, yet flawed, machine.

    It provides a comprehensive look at British Cycling's transformation and the challenges faced along the way.

    The book is praised for its detailed and balanced narrative.

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