What It Takes: Kate Wagner

Elegant writing about pro cycling requires "balls and bravery," and even then, there's a hefty cost.

Kate Wagner, the author of the Substack column “derailleur,” is one of the most elegant writers on the subject of professional cycling. 

Her lyrical prose, references to Central European authors, and even poetry, creative nonfiction, and illustrations, all seem too well-written for a sport like bike racing. Yet, Wagner makes it work.  

Wagner, 28, is trai…