Magic Spanner: SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2020

This book is a delightful read! Plenty of stories of riders, races, and fellow commentators. If you enjoy the humour and spark that Carlton brings to cycling races, you will enjoy this book.

Hilarious, enjoyed it immensely

I have followed the major cycling tours on Eurosport for many years. The coverage is always very professional but their commentators bring a more relaxed and amusing approach to that of major broadcasters. Carlton is a prime example of this. I am aware that he is not everybody's cup of tea but I really enjoy his personal style as well as his knowledge. So I was looking forward to reading this book and it did not disappoint. The book is largely made up of anecdotal stories of his life as a commentator on the road. I found this very relaxing to read and it was if I was sitting in a French bar with Carlton just telling his stories to a group of cycling fans. If you have an interest in cycling and want an amusing and intriguing book then I fully recommend The Magic Spanner.

No doubt Carlton Kirby has stories and opinions but he’s hesitant to call it as it is. He’s a homer for the Brits of course. His falling down praise for Cavendish is a little over the top even for a GOAt sprinter. But the stories of what happens before and after the race commences make it a fun read.

I really enjoyed this book. It provides really good, and entertaining, stories of the pro peloton. The characters, the races, the mishaps. If you love cycling as I do you will enjoy this book.