The Maurice Burton Way: Britain’s first Black Cycling Champion (Hardback)

Maurice Burton’s story is one of grit, talent and sheer determination. In 1974, at just 18, he became Britain’s first Black cycling champion — an incredible achievement overshadowed by the boos that greeted him on the podium. It was a moment that summed up the racism he faced both in British society and in the sport he loved.
Born in London to a Jamaican father from the Windrush generation and an English mother, Burton had to fight for every opportunity. Even after beating riders selected for the Olympics, he was overlooked, pushing him to leave the UK and build a career in Belgium. There, he broke new ground again, becoming the first Black six‑day rider in more than 75 years.
This authorised biography follows his journey from South London to the European racing scene and back home again, where he went on to become a respected business owner and community leader. It’s a powerful, long‑overdue celebration of a pioneering British cyclist who refused to be pushed aside — and whose impact on the sport is still felt today.