When Henri Desgrange began a new bicycle road race in 1903, he saw it as little more than a temporary publicity stunt to promote his newspaper. The 60 cyclists who left Paris to ride through the night to Lyons that first July had little idea they were pioneers of the most famous of all bike races, which would reach its centenary as one of the greatest sporting events on earth. Geoffrey Wheatcroft's masterly history of the Tour de France's first hundred years is not just a hugely entertaining canter through some great Tour stories; nor is it merely a homage to the riders whose names—Coppi, Simpson, Mercx, Armstrong—are synonymous with the event's folly and glory. Focusing too on the race's role in French cultural life, it provides a unique and fascinating insight into Europe's 20th century.

The Official History of the Tour de France is a celebration of one of the greatest annual sporting events, and the premier competition in world cycling. Through more than 300 photographs, rarely-seen documents and items of memorabilia, this book covers more than a century of fascinating stories on the Tour and its iconic yellow jersey. This revised and updated edition includes an authoritative narrative account of each major era, up to and including the thrilling 2020 Tour - a dramatic contest completed against all the odds - and a preview of the 2021 event. There are features on superstar cyclists and memorable moments from each period of the event's rich history, and a foreword from legendary Tour de France champion Stephen Roche, all of which combines to form the definitive illustrated book on the Tour.

Take an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create a world-class cyclist. James Witts invites you into the world of marginal gains to discover the innovative training techniques, nutrition strategies and cutting-edge gear that are giving today's elite cyclists the competitive advantage. Find out why Formula One telemetry is key to more bike speed; how power meters dictate training sessions and race strategy; how mannequins, computational fluid dynamics and wind-tunnels are elevating aerodynamics to the next level; why fats and training on water alone are popular in the peloton; and why the future of cycling will involve transcranial brain stimulation and wearable technology. With contributions from the world's greatest riders, including Marcel Kittel, Peter Sagan and Bauke Mollema, and the teams that work alongside them: Etixx-Quick Step, Team Sky, Tinkoff, Movistar, BMC Racing, Trek-Segafredo and many more. Also meet the teams' sports scientists, coaches, nutritionists and chefs, who reveal the pioneering science that separates Contador and Cancellara from the recreational rider. To win the Tour de France takes stamina, speed, strength... and science.

In this highly original history of the world's most famous bicycle race, Christopher S. Thompson, mining previously neglected sources and writing with infectious enthusiasm for his subject, tells the compelling story of the Tour de France from its creation in 1903 to the present. Weaving the words of racers, politicians, Tour organizers, and a host of other commentators together with a wide-ranging analysis of the culture surrounding the event including posters, songs, novels, films, and media coverage Thompson links the history of the Tour to key moments and themes in French history. Examining the enduring popularity of Tour racers, Thompson explores how their public images have changed over the past century. A new preface explores the long-standing problem of doping in light of recent scandals.

Comprising an authoritative narrative account of each major era in the history of the epic race, up to and including the 2007 Tour, this work also contains 40 facsimile items of sporting memorabilia integrated into its pages. The greatest endurance test in sports, the Tour de France covers more than 2,200 miles in just over three weeks, climbing high into the Alps and Pyrenees on a circular journey around France and into neighboring countries before ending on the Champs-Élysées. This official publication of the Tour's organizers presents an authoritative history of the sport, including 40 items of rare memorabilia such as personal letters from champions, logbook entries, regulations from 1910, and more!

An account of the lives of the Bobet brothers - Louison, triple Tour de France winner and Jean who gave up an academic career to ride in the service of his brother. This story brings alive the romance of the great races and star riders of those post war days whose exploits lifted the public spirit after years of conflict and economic hardship.

Happy 100th race, Tour de France The deluxe "Official Treasures" series celebrates the grand occasion with a brand-new boxed edition. It gives fans of this 2,200-mile event considered the greatest test of endurance in the sporting world an authoritative account of each major era up to and including the 2012 Tour, plus 40 items of historic memorabilia packaged into six folders. The removable facsimiles include souvenir brochures, period newspapers, posters, stickers, and postcards and correspondence from leading cyclists. An official publication of ASO, the organizers of the Tour de France, in tandem with the French sports newspaper "L'Equipe," this volume features a foreword by Bernard Hinault, a five-time champion and Tour ambassador."

Filled with features and fabulous images, this official celebration of the famed Tour de France is now updated to include the 2017 race Generally considered the greatest test of endurance in sports, the Tour de France covers more than 2,200 miles in just over three weeks, climbing high into both the Alps and Pyrenees before ending on Paris's iconic Champs- lys es. This updated edition, with brand-new features and stories, gives an authoritative account of each major era up to and including the 2017 Tour--when Britain's Chris Froome joined an elite club of four-time and three-in-a-row winners. In addition to more than 300 photographs, some dating back to the nineteenth century, there are features on the superstars, coverage of memorable moments in every era, thrilling action shots, and pictures of souvenir brochures, period newspapers, posters, stickers, postcards, and letters will engross every fan of the sport.

The Tour de France is the gretest public sporting spectacle on earth. For 100 editions - every year since 1903, except during the Great Wars - competitors have battled over thousands of miles of French countryside in pursuit of the coveted yellow jersey. The Complete Book of the Tour de France brings together every statistical record, every key moment, every stage and edition winner, every jersey ever won. This encyclopeadic companion provides a complete record since the founding race, and with it everything that anyone could ever need to know about the Tour de France. But this is much more than a dry compendium of names and numbers. It also contains a summary account of each edition of the Tour de France enriched with an extraordinary wealth of Tour de France lore and anecdote, bringing back to life the stories of riders whose names have not been uttered for over a century. This is the essential companion to the greatest cycling race on earth, and reading it you might feel that you had taken part in the race yourself. ÿ ÿ ÿ

From illness and mental health challenges to becoming the most successful British cyclist at the age of 22, Mark Cavendish shares his inspiring account of his record-breaking rise to the top of the world's biggest cycling stage at the 2021 Tour de France. Deep down, Mark Cavendish thought he was finished. After illness, setbacks and clinical depression, the once fastest man in the world had been written off by most. And at the age of 36, even he believed his explosive cycling career would fade out with a whimper. The Manxman hadn't won a single Grand Tour stage in Italy, Spain, or France since 2016. But then came his incredible resurrection at the 2021 Tour de France. Included on the Deceuninck Quick-Step team at the very last minute, only after Sam Bennett suffered an injury, Mark set about rewriting history. He claimed back the green jersey he first wore in 2011, and his four stage victories finally saw him matching Belgian legend Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 Tour de France stage wins. Cycling greats are never content, and Cavendish's dogged determination and inner strength had earned him the record that few believed he could ever achieve. This is his own intimate account of that race, right from the saddle of the miracle tour. Praise for Tour de Force: "The greatest comeback in sports history." —GQ magazine "A miracle." —Eddy Merckx