We are delighted to announce the return of our monthly cycling book nights at Brighton's Grand Central - with a very special first guest of the new season: Matt Rendell, acclaimed author and a regular on ITV's Tour de France coverage for nearly 20 years. 

Matt will be discussing his latest book - Colombia es Pasion: The Generation of Racing Cyclists Who Changed Their Nation and the Tour de France. Matt maintains that the way a stream of cyclists from small Colombian villages have risen to compete in (and, in Egan Bernal's case, win) the world's biggest cycle race is one of the greatest stories in sport. Matt is uniquely placed to tell this story, which sheds light on both Colombia's troubled national history and on the timeless, global allure of the Tour itself.

We will also be talking about Matt's previous works - including his acclaimed biography of the tragic 1998 Tour de France champion Marco Pantani, which was the basis for the film, The Accidental Death of a Cyclist; and Blazing Saddles: The Cruel and Unusual History of the Tour De France .

Matt will be joining us fresh from working on the 2021 Tour de France so will doubtless have plenty to say about that, too.

Alongside his seven cycling books and contributions to print and broadcast media, Matt has worked for several teams; lived in Italy, Spain, France, Latvia and Colombia; written a book about learning salsa; and has past lives as a university lecturer and jazz double-bassist.

Whether reflecting on his own remarkable life or the big themes of sporting history illuminated in his books, Matt is a great story-teller and we look forward to an evening of revealing and entertaining conversation. There will be a chance to ask your own questions.

The evening will be hosted by former Procycling magazine writer, Duncan Steer.

Tickets are £25 including a book (RRP £20) or £10 for tickets on their own.

Praise for "Colombia es Pasion" by Matt Rendell

"Wonderful... explores a new generation who have beaten poverty, violence and corruption, and can now, via two wheels, tell a story of a more peaceful, happier nation" - The Observer

"Remarkable, a masterpiece, one of the best books written about cycling..." - Ned Boulting and David Millar, on the Never Strays Far podcast

"Enjoyable, authentic and thorough...this book will enrich your understanding of many of today's top riders and the long, arduous paths they've taken to reach the top of their sport"- The Inner Ring