Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2009.

Ring of Fire is an insider's account of the pressures of being a MotoGP racer. We are given an insight into the stars as well as the officials, parents, doctors, team owners and fans who make up this exhilarating sport. This is a gripping book.

Synopsis

This is the first book to cover the whole of the MotoGP era, at the centre of which is Valentino Rossi. Ring of Fire charts his rise, fall and rebirth, detailing the darker side to his rivalries with Max Biaggi and Sete Gibernau and his battles with the tax man and the media. This is a warts-and-all portrait with tales of vandalised cars and the racer who wants to torch 'the whole goddamn valley'. It is a breathless behind-the-scenes look at what makes these riders tick, from double World Superbike champion James Toseland to warring Spanish starlets Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.

Rick Broadbent looks back at the sport's tradition of reprobates and debauchery. He 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 200mph.

Reviews

"This is a stunning book. It is history but reads like a 'can't put it down' novel - hardly surprising considering it grippingly features the two greatest motor cyclists of all time, Mike Hailwood and Valentino Rossi. Rick Broadbent tells the enthralling story of a thrilling and dangerous sport like never before and it had me by the throat" Murray Walker

"Peppered with anecdotes and insight... a fantastic, page turning read which presents a window into the personalities which are normally only seen on the track or in a press conference" MotoGPBlog

"A fantastic new book... well worth getting" MotoGP World

About the Author

Rock Broadbent is a sports writer for The Times, for whom he covers MotoGP, among other things. He has previously written books on football, boxing, athletics as well as, most recently, collaborating with motorcycle-legend Ron Haslam on his autobiography, Rocket Men, published by Bantam Press in July 2008. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation