Beryl: In Search of Britain's Greatest Athlete, Beryl Burton

Jeremy Wilson

Winner of the Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year 2023

Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2022

THE TIMES SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022

A FINANCIAL TIMES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022

A WATERSTONES BEST SPORTS BOOK OF 2022

‘A marvellous book’ Maxine Peake

Cyclist Beryl Burton dominated her sport much as her male contemporary Eddy Merckx, with a longevity that surpasses sporting legends like Muhammad Ali and Serena Williams. Practically invincible in time trials, Burton – also known as BB – finished as Best All-Rounder for 25 years and broke the record for the ’12-hour’ endurance race; an achievement unrivalled to this day. She won multiple world titles, but her achievements were limited by discrimination from the cycling authorities. Yet she carried on winning, beating men and – infamously – competing against her own daughter, whilst working full-time on a Yorkshire farm and running a household.

With previously unseen material and through extensive interviews with family, friends, rivals and fellow sporting giants, Jeremy Wilson peels back the layers to reveal one of the most overlooked, yet compelling characters in cycling history.