Herbie Sykes is an English journalist and writer specializing in the history of road bicycle racing. His first book, "The Eagle of the Canavese", a biography of Franco Balmamion[1] centred around his victory at the 1962 Giro d'Italia, received widespread critical acclaim. Published in 2008, the work was described by Cycling Weekly as "...brilliantly told",[2] whilst influential commentator Phil Liggett wrote "Italian cycle racing in the 60s brought to life with a refreshingly new perspective. This is a book about courage and deceit, joy and the sadness of careers that were lost. A tremendous read".'
Sykes, who lives in Turin, Italy, is a regular contributor to a number of cycling publications, amongst them Rouleur, Procycling and Bicycling Australia.
His second book, "Maglia Rosa - Triumph and tragedy at the Giro d'Italia", is an illustrated history of the Giro d'Italia. The work, the first of its kind in the English language, was published by Rouleur, on 4 March 2011. Bicycling Magazine described it as "...a phenomonal, entertaining and beautiful book"