|
|
|
|
Home > We Might as Well Win
|
|
We Might as Well Win
|
|
By Johan Bruyneel
|
 (43 Reviews)
|
|
|
Publisher:
|
Mariner Books
|
|
Date:
|
January 1, 2008 |
|
Binding:
|
Paperback
|
|
Pages:
|
224
|
|
|
|
From our affiliated sellers:
|
|
|
|
We also have these Versions
|
|
|
| |
Customers' Reviews:
Add Your Own Review |
 A different perspective, August 17, 2010
|
|
|
I got on a Lance kick after reading "Its not about the bike" and I bought this and enjoyed reading it. It gives a different perspective, racing from the car rather than the bike. Although there are those stories too. He sounds wise and insightful when it comes to bike racing and not too often, but sometimes, a bit arrogant. Id rate this below "Its not about the bike" and well above everything by Chris Carmichael". If you are curious about a team directors perspective this is an interesting read.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
|
|
|
|
 Different perspective of the Tour de Lance, July 2, 2010
|
|
I have been a cycling fan for a several years now, so I thought this book would be useful to read since it was written by Lance's team Director for all of his Tour de France victories. I have already read Lance's two books (the first is much better than the second), so I was hoping that Johan would tell some new stories and provide additional insight about how his teams have dominated Le Tour the past decade. Overall, I was not disappointed. I learned a lot of new things, and liked the fact that Johan's lessons can be applied to life, not just cycling. I also liked the fact that Johan does not drone on and on, but keeps things simple, easy to follow, even if you are not a big cycling fan.
A few things that you will learn, or possibly relearn if you are a fan:
1. Cycling is ultimately a team sport - but you need a star to win the tour.
2. Tactics are hugely important in cycling - but there are not really that complicated
3. Lance's comeback was amazing - but he did show a lot of talent prior to getting cancer
4. Johan's team's dominated the tour - but they did make plenty of mistakes along the way
5. Contador is a stud - but he is not Lance by any stretch of the imagination
Given the controversy of last year's tour, and Lance's split from Contador, the last few chapters fell a little flat for me, but I do not think that detracts too much from the book. If you enjoy cycling, and watched any of Lance's tour victories then you will enjoy this book. It adds some elements that are missing from Lance's books.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
|
|
|
|
|
Tactics of the Tour de France, April 27, 2010
|
|
|
As a Mountain Biker I race in a sport where it is your skills and determination against a harsh course and a dozen other competitors. In Mountain Biking there is one goal. In the Tour de France, there are countless racers, moving as teams, each with specialized skills and a number of simultaneous goals. And that is the part we can see with our eyes. Half the battle is never seen. Johan Bruyneel describes the stage by stage calculations that go into completing and winning the greatest bike race in the world. He describes his own experiences as a racer as well as those of seven time champion Lance Armstrong. In this book he opens the reader to a world of bold experiments in training and racing. These include mountain climbs in the freezing rain but sometimes result in cliffside crashes and lost opportunities. He uses wins and losses as a platform for future success noting that every loss is behind you while a win is always just around the corner. If nothing else you will get to know the mind and attitude of the most successful team director in the history of biking and at the least you will fall further in love with the sport itself.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
|
|
|
|
|
Good read for Cycling fans, April 15, 2010
|
|
If you're a fan of Lance Armstrong, US cycling, or cycling in general, you'll enjoy this book. Each chapter describes a life lesson (and/or cycling strategy) that Johan Bruyneel has learned through his experiences as a cyclist or coach. Many memorable moments from prior Tour de France races are revisited with his commentary.
It was fun to learn about Bruyneel's competitiveness as a cyclist/director. He took a unique strategy of preparing heavily for the Tour de France, rather than trying to do well in many races (as most teams traditionally do). He's also very crafty and thinks of lots of strategies to get an edge (focused training, bluffing, experimenting with equipment, aggressive recruiting).
The title of the book is concise and effective. It shows Bruyneel's optimism, focus, and competitiveness.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
|
|
|
|
|
Didn't think I'd like it. I was wrong., April 3, 2010
|
|
I didn't want to like this book. Maybe it was just Lance overload from all the press the guy gets, or may it was my mistaken belief that Johan Bruyneel was just jumping on the Lance bandwagon to make a few (more) bucks.
What's in this book is a lot more than Bruyneel looking back, and ahead, at his time with the great rider. What he has written is an honest and informative look at the inner workings of tha pro cycling team; how it is both a business and a passion. A good example is the story of Bruyneel giving up part of his salary to hire a rider he really believed in, only to soon be betrayed.
But there's a lot more than just the nuts and bolts of running a team; there are several interesting and funny stories about what goes on in some really big races. It's like being a fly on the wall.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home
View Cart
Bookmark This Page
Contact Us
