Tour de France : The History. The Legend. The Riders. (Paperback)

An updated edition sets the 2013 race in the context of the event's remarkable history, stretching back to July 1903

Combining meticulous research with a fast-paced narrative style, Graeme Fife penetrates the mystique of the Tour de France and paints a colorful picture of the men whose exploits have given the Tour enduring universal appeal. The momentous 100th anniversary competition fully lived up to expectations and was the most exciting race in years. Mountains loomed large in one of the toughest routes since World War II, including a double ascent of the iconic l'Alpe d'Huez in just one day. Laced with tales of great solo rides, amazing fortitude, terrible misfortune, and triumph, Tour de France is the definitive account of this extraordinary competition. Named one of the top-five sports books of the year by both the Independent and the Times, it is the essential guide to the Tour.