Blazing Saddles

Few sporting contests have roused such blind passions and filthy suspicions as the Tour de France. From Lance Armstrongs incredible comeback from cancer, to Tom Simpsons death on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, the Tour has been the stage for some of sports most monumental triumphs and the scene of some of its darkest hours. Since Maurice Garins inaugural victory in 1903, hundreds of thousands of kilometres have been covered in pursuit of the yellow jersey – cyclings holy grail – and few have been without incident or drama. And on 7 July 2007, the whole pedalling circus is descending on London! But, will the Great British Public be ready for an invasion of neck to thigh slippery lycra, gaudy Geiger-alien headwear, aerodynamic neoprene pixyboots, and Space Age carbon fibre bicycles weighing less than a dinky toy but costing more than a family car? Not without this book, they wont. Its a no-holds-barred look at the rivalries, characters and controversies that have given century-old race its unique colour. Matt Rendells vivid and entertaining narrative combines the Tours golden legends with tales from its dark side, capturing the true and often surreal spirit of the worlds most arduous race.topEditorial Reviews – Amazon

Few sporting contests have roused such blind passions and filthy suspicions as the Tour de France. From Lance Armstrongs incredible comeback from cancer, to Tom Simpsons death on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, the Tour has been the stage for some of sports most monumental triumphs and the scene of some of its darkest hours. Since Maurice Garins inaugural victory in 1903, hundreds of thousands of kilometres have been covered in pursuit of the yellow jersey – cyclings holy grail – and few have been without incident or drama. And on 7 July 2007, the whole pedalling circus is descending on London! But, will the Great British Public be ready for an invasion of neck to thigh slippery lycra, gaudy Geiger-alien headwear, aerodynamic neoprene pixyboots, and Space Age carbon fibre bicycles weighing less than a dinky toy but costing more than a family car? Not without this book, they wont. Its a no-holds-barred look at the rivalries, characters and controversies that have given century-old race its unique colour. Matt Rendells vivid and entertaining narrative combines the Tours golden legends with tales from its dark side, capturing the true and often surreal spirit of the worlds most arduous race.