Olympic Gangster: The Legend of José Beyaert - Cycling Champion, Fortune Hunter and Outlaw Book

Restlessly vital and possessed of great physical strength Jose Beyaert lived many lives. During the Second World War he boxed and trafficked arms for the Resistance on his bicycle. After it he became an international cyclist. In 1948 a mile from the end of the Olympic road race around Windsor Park he broke away alone to take the gold medal and started an adventure that would last the rest of his life. A Tour de France rider in the sport's golden age Jose was invited to open a new velodrome in Colombia South America. He travelled intending to stay a month. Instead driven by his thirst for adventure he stayed for 50 years becoming by turns athlete coach businessman emerald-trader logger smuggler perhaps even hired killer. Matt Rendell who knew Jose Beyaert tells the fascinating story of an almost-forgotten sporting hero who incapable of living to other people's rules lived his many lives on his own terms.