Biographical note:
Rick Broadbent is a sports writer for The Times (London), for whom he covers MotoGP, among other things. He has previously written books on soccer, boxing, and other sports as well as, most recently, collaborating with motorcycle racing legend Ron Haslem on his autobiography, Rocket Men. He lives in the United Kingdom.
Main description:
Ring of Fire is an insider's account of the acclaim, heroism and pressures of being a MotoGP racer. This is a world where manufacturers invest millions, and where a rider will emerge from a coma with shattered bones to get back on his bike to save his job and race again for the checkered flag.
This covers the whole of the modern MotoGP era, at the center of which is the phenomenal Valentino Rossi. Ring of Fire charts his rise, fall and rebirth, detailing the dark side of his infamous rivalries with Max Biaggi and Sete Gibernau as well as his battles with the tax man and the media. This warts-and-all tale offers an insightful, behind-the-scenes look at what makes these riders tick, from double World Superbike champion James Toseland to warring Spanish heroes Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.
Rick Broadbent introduces us, not just to the stars, but also to the officials, parents, doctors, team owners and fans who make up this white-knuckle sport.
By turns funny, sad, shocking and uplifting, Ring of Fire brings us face to face with all those who are bonded by a shared love of risking it all at 200 mph.
