Power, Pain and Professional Cycling: A Historical-Sociological Study

Book info: Power, Pain and Professional Cycling: A Historical-Sociological Study (Hardcover, 212 pages) – Edward Elgar Publishing, 2024. Language: English.

This insightful book presents a sociological study of professional cycling, examining developments in the sport since its emergence in the late 19th century. John Connolly thoroughly explores key aspects of professional cycling including the emergence of professionalism, organisational structure, doping, gender, and recent American involvement in the sport.

Power, Pain and Professional Cycling deftly outlines how and why Belgium, France and Italy initially dominated professional cycling and how the sport was shaped by power relations between those involved in the sport and in society at large. Tracing the interrelations between Americans and Europeans in the sport since the 1960s, Connolly documents the processes of stigmatisation and counter stigmatisation which occurred. He examines the ways in which changing power balances have reshaped both men’s and women’s professional racing today. The book also provides an insightful investigation into how feelings of shame associated with doping practices have developed and advanced; why this development was a fractured and uneven process; and why anti-doping functions emerged.

This book is a crucial read for academics and students specialising in sport, sport management, sport psychology and sport sociology. Its unique approach will also be of interest to professionals in the sports industry, particularly those with a keen interest in professional cycling.

Editorial Reviews Review ‘Good historical research is being done sociologically and good sociology is being done historically. This is the book’s achievement: highlighting the forces within professional cycling over the course of a century to come to the present and present how things came to be the way they are today. The book is aimed at everyone with a sociological interest in professional cycling in Europe, at undergraduate and postgraduate level.’ -- Christoph Wagner, idrottsforum.org

‘John Connolly's book follows in a rich tradition stemming from the legacy of Norbert Elias and Eric Dunning’s sports research and figurational sociology. Tracing shifting power balances, processes of interdependence and stigmatisation in professional cycling's past and present, Connolly provides innovative and expansive insights into the popularity and controversies associated with the sport.’ -- Stephen Vertigans, Robert Gordon University, UK

‘This book offers a compelling sociological account of the many processes involved in the development of professional cycling over the last 150 years. Connolly demonstrates how the dynamics of power, class, gender and nationality, interweave both within and beyond this most demanding of sports to shape the lives of cyclists.’ -- Paddy Dolan, Technological University Dublin, Ireland

‘Combining a wide array of historical literature from different national traditions and interpreting them from an Eliasian perspective, Connolly's book makes for refreshing insights into the social basis of Western European professional cycling. Using shame as a central concept, he puts forward an original and nuanced understanding of the makings of the sport's doping issue.’ -- Stijn Knuts, Geheugen Collectief, Belgium About the Author John Connolly, DCUBS, Dublin City University, Ireland