New Black Cyclones: Racism, Representation and Revolutions of Power in Cycling

by Marlon Lee Moncrieffe

Overview

An exploration of racism and anti-racism in the world of professional cycling in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests.

Ex-international cyclist Marlon Lee Moncrieffe examines how the cycling industry is tackling racism within the sport today. By interviewing key players in professional cycling, he considers its present and future in light of the Black Lives Matter protests.

Gathering evidence and interviews from across the cycling spectrum – including British Cycling and professional bodies in the US, Europe and the African continent – the book features the voices of elite and professional riders, commentators, grassroots riders and activists.

Moncrieffe asks pertinent questions: What transformations, if any, towards race equity and equality in ethnic representation are we witnessing in the world of cycling – and particularly at the highest levels of the sport? What has been the force of the new Black Cyclones (Black cyclists) in disrupting the white narrative norms of power in the sport and for challenging the status quo?

Each chapter takes a different recent pivotal event that highlighted racial issues in cycling, examines how it changes our understanding of Black cyclists within the industry and asks what has changed since.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399405560
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	01/07/2025
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.02(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dr Marlon Lee Moncrieffe is a former international bike racer and a national, European and World Championships medal winner in track sprint cycling. His debut sports book, Desire, Discrimination, Determination - Black Champions in Cycling was longlisted for the 2021 William Hill Sports Book of the Year, and was the winner of the Sunday Times Cycling Book of the Year award in 2022.

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. How far can the bicycle take you?

2. Jesus Christ of the Black cycling community

3. Black Squares In White Circles

4. When Tao Took The Knee

5. 'Go Back To Your Own Country!'

6. The Biniam BOOM!!!

7. Representing The Entire Human Race of Black Women

8. Visiting Velokhaya

9. (dis)Graced in Red, White, and Blue

10. European Illusions In African Dreams

11. 'They'll be crowning White kings And White queens of world cycling in Africa'

12. Internationale Vélo Force (VIF 2020)

13. The Diasporic Turn

14. New Black Cyclones

15. One Love

Acknowledgements

References

Index