Tour de France

This book plots the evolution of this greatest of cycling endurance races.

For three weeks every July, around 200 cyclists put themselves through the most punishing of schedules, riding approximately 3,500km, including mountain climbs of around 3000m.

This book traces the history of the race from the 1903 Tour, created by L’Auto newspaper publisher Henri Desgranges and won by Maurice Garin, to the 2008 event, won by Oscar Freire. It focuses on the legends of Le Grand Boucle, such as Jacques Anquetil, Eddie Merckx, Greg Lemond, Miguel Indurain and seven-time winner Lance Armstrong.

Covering every aspect of the Tour from the early organisation, technological advances and scandals. It is a complete history of one of the world’s greatest sporting events.