Cycling Legend Tino Tabak

Tino Tabak: Dreams and Demons of a New Zealand Cycling Legend

Published November 2009
By Jonathan Kennett
ISBN 978-0-9582673-5-9
Published and distributed by Kennett Brothers
RRP $20.00

Available in all good bike shops and book stores

“Some people have already made up their minds about me. They say Tino did this or Tino did that. If you’re one of them, you might as well close this book right now, ‘cause you’ve already closed your mind. Just put it back down on the shelf and walk away. I’ve got no time for you.

But if you really want to know what the business of pro cycling was like in the 1970s, I can tell you. Because I’ve been through it all - from being a star of the road at the top, to a pile of broken dreams at the bottom. Europe’s greatest sport can do that to you.

I’ve lapped it out with The Cannibal in the Tour de France, and I’ve struggled just for the dubious Red Lantern. I’ve beaten Holland’s best to claim their road championship title, and I’ve risked everything to win a classic, almost following Tommy Simpson’s fate. It was madness. I can say that now.”

Tino Tabak postcard

Tino Tabak book launch at National Library, Wellington, 3 November 2009.

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Praise for this book

Tino Tabak: a frank, honest biography

His life story is superbly chronicled in a new book by cycling historian Jonathan Kennett. I’ve rarely read a sports biography as frank and as honest as this one.

This story blows most of the rugby and cricket biographies I’ve struggled through out of the water. I was genuinely surprised and delighted with the story that Kennett has woven over several years of interviews with Tabak.

Dreams and Demons is a fascinating book that fills in the gaps on a gifted cyclist who took on the high roads of Europe, tasted success, and plumbed the deepest lows.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a really good, well balanced and well presented story.

Tabak – great biography by Jonathan Kennett

Went to the book launch last night. Met the man for the first time. He is a larger than life character - the wonderful combination of confidence and modesty that so many Kiwi champions show.

Meant to read [the book] on flights later today but Jonathan Kennett writes really well and the subject is fascinating. Couldn’t put it down.

I remember reading about Tino when I was at school and university. He often seemed to be in trouble with cycling bosses. He was probably our best performing cyclist in Europe, including being part of a five man break in a 144k leg of the Tour de France where they averaged over 46k.

He is open about drug use and race fixing. It helps me understand for the first time why some sports bosses were against professional sport.

Really good read, good reference section and only $20.

Congratulations on the great read.

I polished off your book on Tino over the weekend and enjoyed it greatly.

Like the man himself in his cycling days ... he certainly wasn’t afraid to go on the attack and speak his mind. Made for great copy.

18th overall in Le Tour

Tabak is a candid subject, talking openly about the hardships of racing, the drug use within the professional peleton of the 1970s, and his own self-destructive drive to win. Kennett has captured it superbly, making for a good brisk read about what it's like riding on the verge of brilliance - but not quite. Highly recommended.

And here's a letter of appreciation from a reader with restricted mobility.

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