Cycling book from Armitstead first for Blink Sports

Blink Publishing is to publish an autobiography of Olympic silver medalist and reigning world, commonwealth and national road race champion, Lizzie Armitstead, as the first title of new imprint, Blink Sports.

Joel Simons, senior editor acquired exclusive worldwide rights from Jonathan Marks at MTC. He will work alongside publishing director Matt Phillips who joins Blink to lead the new imprint in March.

Her autobiography - which is as-yet-untitled - will be co-written with author William Fotheringham. It will "take the reader to the heart of one of the most demanding endurance sports: Armitstead fights her own corner at every turn, from the struggle for equality to the battle against doping and the incredible sacrifices and self-belief required to coach herself to world titles". In the book Armitstead and Fotheringham take a different approach to Armistead’s career, moving beyond the "basic A to Z story" of a sporting life to break down the sport, the training, the races, time on the road and life after cycling.  It will include the inside story of the London Olympics and the forthcoming Rio Olympics, one of the biggest races of Armitstead’s life.

Born in Otley, West Yorkshire, in 1988, Lizzie only started cycling at the age of fifteen after being discovered following a nationwide talent search. She won her first medal in the Junior World Track Championships in 2005, before going on to race for various teams alongside some of the most well-known names in the sport. She finished 2015 as World Road Race Champion and on the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and begins 2016 as one of the favourites for a gold medal at the Rio Olympic Games in August.

Armitstead said: “I was delighted when this opportunity to tell my story in my own words came along and with exciting new publishers, Blink, as well as with William who has been a huge supporter of my career and women’s cycling for a number of years now. He understands how I have had to forge my own path in this sport and the sacrifices that it’s taken to get to the top. It’s a dream come true to be getting the results that I have worked so hard for and I feel now is the time to tell my story that I hope will encourage others to follow their own path.”

The autumn launch will be supported by a full sales, PR and marketing campaign across traditional and social media.