Jonathan Boyer: Profile in Bicycling Magazine unwraps first American Tour de France rider

February 9, 1:14 AMCycling ExaminerJames Raia

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Jonathan Boyer

The beginning of the first paragraph in the print version of the article says it all: “The child molester prays before every meal. He offers thanks for his friends, and the food he's about to it, and the wonderful day ahead . . .”

The words comprise the opening sentence of Steve Friedman's compelling feature on Jonathan Boyer in the March issue of Bicycling. Boyer was the first American to compete in the Tour de France and a cyclist who severed nine months in jail for child molestation.

Boyer, 53, is a cycling icon, and Friedman's piece, through fine, interactive journalism, doesn't sugarcoat Boyer's offense, nor does he condemn the cyclist.

Several months ago, Friedman called me to talk to me about the Boyer. A few years ago, I wrote a few articles about Boyer after he was released from jail and began to compete again, most notably at the Sea Otter Classic and the Race Across America. Friedman read my articles, among others, and then dug deep into the subject.

Friedman's article, “The Impossible Redemption of Jonathan Boyer” is a must read.