Speed Read Tour de France: The History, Strategies and Intrigue Behind the World's Greatest Bicycle Race (Volume 7) (Speed Read, 7)

This beautifully designed and illustrated essential guide to the Tour de France from Motorbooks' Speed Read series will make you an instant expert on its history, its winners and rivalries, the tactics necessary to win it, and the technology of its bicycles. Le Tour has sometimes been called “chess on wheels” because of the complicated strategies used by the race's 22 teams and 176 riders. This book—written by award-winning cycling journalist John Wilcockson, who has covered the Tour 45 times—will help you understand those tactics, along with informing you about the race’s century-plus history, its famed winners and rivalries, and the technology that has gone into creating the modern racing bicycle and determining how today’s athletes train. Among the questions answered are: Who owns the Tour? How are the course’s 21 stages selected? What are the most famous mountain climbs? How is the overall winner determined? What is a peloton, a soigneur, or an echelon? How big are the prizes? What are time bonuses? Who was the first American to compete in the Tour, and who was the first one to win it? How fast do the racers go down mountain descents? What speeds can the riders reach in sprint finishes? Why are the teams known by the names of their sponsors and not their countries? What do the riders eat, and where do they sleep every night? What are all those motorcycles doing among the cyclists? How do the organizers deal with doping scandals? And is it true that, one year, the top four finishers were all disqualified? You will find the answers to all these questions, and many more, in this informative, beautifully illustrated, fun-to-read book: Speed Read Tour de France. With Motorbooks’ Speed Read series, become an instant expert in a range of fast-moving subjects, from Formula 1 racing to car design. Accessible language, compartmentalized sections, fact-filled sidebars, glossaries of key terms, and event timelines deliver quick access to insider knowledge. Their brightly colored covers, modern design, pop art–inspired illustrations, and handy size make them perfect on-the-go reads. The Essential Guide To The Tour De France, Speed Read Tour De France Will Make You An Instant Expert On Its History, Its Winners And Rivalries, The Tactics Necessary To Win It, And The Technology Of Its Bicycles. Le Tour Has Sometimes Been Called “chess On Wheels” Because Of The Complicated Strategies Used By The Race's 22 Teams And 176 Riders. This Book—written By Award-winning Cycling Journalist John Wilcockson, Who Has Covered The Tour 45 Times—will Help You Understand Those Tactics, Along With Informing You About The Race’s Century-plus History, Its Famed Winners And Rivalries, And The Technology That Has Gone Into Creating The Modern Racing Bicycle And Determining How Today’s Athletes Train. Among The Questions Answered Are: Who Owns The Tour? How Are The Course’s 21 Stages Selected? What Are The Most Famous Mountain Climbs? How Is The Overall Winner Determined? What Is A Peloton, A Soigneur, Or An Echelon? How Big Are The Prizes? What Are Time Bonuses? Who Was The First American To Compete In The Tour, And Who Was The First One To Win It? How Fast Do The Racers Go Down Mountain Descents? What Speeds Can The Riders Reach In Sprint Finishes? Why Are The Teams Known By The Names Of Their Sponsors And Not Their Countries? What Do The Riders Eat, And Where Do They Sleep Every Night? What Are All Those Motorcycles Doing Among The Cyclists? How Do The Organizers Deal With Doping Scandals? And Is It True That, One Year, The Top Four Finishers Were All Disqualified? You Will Find The Answers To All These Questions, And Many More, In This Informative, Beautifully Illustrated, Fun-to-read Book: Speed Read Tour De France. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents INTRODUCTION SECTION 1 RACE STRUCTURE The Course The Peloton Flat Stages Climbing Stages Time Trials General Classification Rules, Bonuses & Penalties A Women’s Tour de France? A Tour Racer’s Typical Day Glossary SECTION 2 TOUR HISTORY Origins Evolution Organizers Winners & Rivals Famous Stages Best Climbers Top Sprinters Crashes & Fatalities Hinault & LeMond: Teammates, but Rivals Glossary SECTION 3 TECHNOLOGY Bikes & Materials Equipment Apparel, Helmets & Glasses Training & Equipment Team Infrastructure Race Communications Radio, Film & TV Photo Finish & Race Data How the Tour Reaches You Glossary SECTION 4 TEAMS & RACING Team Sponsors Goals Team Composition Team Managers Support Staff Team Tactics Attacks & Breakaways The Story of Team Sky Glossary SECTION 5 CONTESTS Yellow Jersey Green Jersey Polka-Dot Jersey White Jersey Team Race Stage Winners Rewards Age Is Not a Barrier Glossary SECTION 6 ON THE ROAD Le Grand Départ Stage Towns Logistics Tour Caravan Media Spectators Popular Riders Nicknames Story of Raymond Poulidor Glossary SECTION 7 THE DARK SIDE Anti-Doping Doping Scandals Dangerous Sprinters Drafting Vehicles Old-Style Cheating Collusion Motorized Doping The Lance Armstrong Story Glossary INDEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z "Speed Read: Tour de France breaks down the race's history and complexities to make anyone an instant expert."--Provided by publisher