Beryl Burton dominated cycling, winning multiple world titles and was practically invincible in time trials, finishing as Best All-Rounder for 25 consecutive years and setting a world record in 1967 for the distance covered in 12 hours that beat the men. Her achievements were limited by discrimination from the cycling authorities yet she carried on winning, beating men and competing against her own daughter, while working on a farm and running a household. With access to previously unseen correspondence and photographs, and through extensive interviews with family, friends, rivals and fellow giants from across sport, acclaimed journalist Jeremy Wilson peels back the layers to reveal one of the most complex, enigmatic and compelling characters in cycling history. 

- Browns Books Synopsis

When we start the process of reading for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year, we sometimes only have five or six books entered. It is like the early stages of the racing season, when every horse just might be a Derby winner, according to its owner, trainer and jockey, but as each one appears on a racecourse it has to be judged against the other contenders and either eliminated from, or promoted up, the list of potential champions. No matter which way it goes, our ultimate winner will always be an over-achieving, richly deserving sporting champion.