the editors

Each year, The Road Book is meticulously compiled and edited by Ned Boulting, a name synonymous with insight, wit, and a deep affection for the sport. This annual tradition is no small feat: within days of the final race, Ned and a dedicated team plunge into the data and drama of the season, weaving together over 900 pages of race reports, exclusive essays, team profiles, and the kind of trivia and infographics that cycling aficionados savour. The result is a chronicle that grows richer with every edition—“the bottle for your cellar,” as Ned himself puts it, “getting better with age”.

Alongside the iconic Red Book, our Blue Book series offers a fresh perspective each year, guest-edited by beloved voices from the world of cycling journalism.. These editions revisit the sport’s most iconic seasons, bringing together legendary contributors and first-person accounts to capture the enduring magic of road cycling.

A Cambridge graduate with a background in modern languages, Ned’s path to cycling was anything but direct. Yet, since his first foray into Tour de France reporting, he has become a fixture at the sport’s biggest events, from the Tour of Britain to the Vuelta a España, and even the London 2012 Paralympics. 

Ned hosts the immensely popular podcast ‘Never Strays Far’, alongside former pros David Millar and Pete Kennaugh. A much loved accompaniment to the cycling season, featuring excellent reportage from the cutting edge of racing, but mostly Ned’s musings on life, and the meaningful role the sport plays in his. It is a true reflection of the beauty of road cycling, and many of its themes are carried through into Ned’s work on The Road Book. 

His work has earned him the Royal Television Society’s Sports News Reporter of the Year award, and his books and stage shows—such as the much-loved Bikeology tour—have brought the joys and quirks of cycling to audiences across the UK.

His latest book, 1923: The Mystery of Lot 212, was named Waterstones' Best Sports Book of 2023 and won the Sports Book Awards 2024. 

Ned’s passion for The Road Book stems from a lifelong fascination with the stories, statistics, and subtleties that make cycling unique. He created The Road Book to be the definitive annual record—a “historical benchmark for a beautiful, chaotic sport that holds us all in its thrall”. For Ned, cycling is more than a race; it’s a tapestry of human endeavour, heartbreak, and triumph, deserving of the same considered chronicling as cricket’s Wisden.

His editorial vision ensures that The Road Book is both accessible and intellectually satisfying. It invites readers to dip in and out, to discover new heroes, and to relive the highs and lows of each season with fresh eyes. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or a newcomer lured in by the spectacle, Ned’s Road Book is thoroughly deserving of a place on the shelf—and in the heart—of every cycling enthusiast.

Andy McGrath (2011 Edition)

Former editor of Rouleur magazine and an award-winning cycling writer, Andy brought his trademark narrative flair and eye for detail to the 2011 Blue Book. His edition revisits a year packed with drama and transformation, drawing on the voices of those who lived it, including Chris Froome, Cadel Evans and Emma Pooley amongst others, to create a vivid tapestry of the sport’s modern era.

Matt Rendell (1989 Edition):

Renowned for his deep research and evocative storytelling, Matt Rendell helmed the inaugural Blue Book, capturing the seismic events of 1989—a year that saw the closest-ever men’s Tour de France finish and the world itself in flux. With contributions from legends like Sean Kelly, Edwig van Hooydonck, and Kathy LeMond, Matt’s edition is a masterclass in cycling history, blending statistics, essays, and first-person accounts to bring the past roaring back to life.

Ian Cleverly (Upcoming Edition)

The next chapter in our series will be overseen by Ian Cleverly, another much-loved voice in cycling journalism. Known for his sharp insight and passion for the sport, Ian’s forthcoming edition promises to continue the tradition of excellence and storytelling that defines the Road Book. Stay tuned for its launch later this year.

Each Blue Book is more than a retrospective; it’s a celebration of cycling’s rich heritage, shaped by editors who live and breathe the sport. Their expertise ensures every volume is a collector’s item—crafted for fans, by fans, and destined to be treasured for years to come