Hardback
Power, Pain and Professional Cycling
A Historical-Sociological Study
9781803927213 Edward Elgar Publishing
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.
More Information
Critical Acclaim
Contents
More Information
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.
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.
Critical Acclaim
‘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
– 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
Contents
Contents:
Preface and acknowledgements
1 Prologue: professional cycling, power relations and
thresholds of shame
2 The sociogenesis of professional cycling in France
3 Belgium, Italy and professionalism
4 Shifting power balances: cyclists, race organisers, team
owners and regulating bodies
5 Social constraints and self-restraints in the habitus
formation of professional cyclists
6 From stimulants to ‘doping’: stigmatisation processes and
advances in the threshold of shame
7 Declining power differentials and expanding social
constraints: the development of anti-doping functions in cycling
8 Professional cyclists and processes of identification and
dis-identification
9 Women in professional cycling: diminishing ‘outsider’
status and shifting sources of shame
10 Americans in Europe: the established as outsider
11 Afterword
Appendix: list of autobiographies
Bibliography
Index
Preface and acknowledgements
1 Prologue: professional cycling, power relations and
thresholds of shame
2 The sociogenesis of professional cycling in France
3 Belgium, Italy and professionalism
4 Shifting power balances: cyclists, race organisers, team
owners and regulating bodies
5 Social constraints and self-restraints in the habitus
formation of professional cyclists
6 From stimulants to ‘doping’: stigmatisation processes and
advances in the threshold of shame
7 Declining power differentials and expanding social
constraints: the development of anti-doping functions in cycling
8 Professional cyclists and processes of identification and
dis-identification
9 Women in professional cycling: diminishing ‘outsider’
status and shifting sources of shame
10 Americans in Europe: the established as outsider
11 Afterword
Appendix: list of autobiographies
Bibliography
Index
