About the Book

After more than 100 years now, the Tour de France is still the sport’s premier event. But there’s much more to the Tour than the daily stage victories and the Yellow Jersey. This book takes a closer look behind the scenes of the Tour. Les Woodland recounts many of the fascinating episodes from the Tour’s past and present in a knowledgeable and humorous style.

The Unknown Tour de France makes fascinating reading for everyone interested in the sport. You’ll find out about the great champions of the early days, and those of the present time You’ll find out about the men who started and promoted this great venture. Find out about "the foreign legion," the few early English-speaking riders who paved the way for such men as Greg LeMond, Lance Armstrong, and Tyler Hamilton.

About the Author

Les Woodland has been writing about bicycle racing for over 30 years. He was European correspondent for Velo News in the early days of that publication. Today, his writings still regularly appear in English and American cycling periodicals. An avid cyclist himself, he recently moved to France, which he considers the world’s best place for cycling.

He is also the author of another book published by us: The Crooked Path to Victory.
What the Critics Say

Lance Armstrong captured the imagination of people around the globe by winning the Tour de France in 1999. Armstrong's strength of human spirit is precisely why millions of fans watch the race each July. Considering that the riders cover 2000 miles in 21 days, traveling through all kinds of terrain and weather, the Tour is arguably the toughest, most demanding bicycle road race in the world.

In The Unknown Tour de France, veteran cycling reporter Woodland describes the event from a behind-the-scenes perspective. Woodland's book is a credible history, making good use of anecdote to detail how the Tour has changed since 1903. Moreover, the author chronicles the many colorful people involved and the drug scandals that continue to tarnish the competition.

Library Journal, Larry R. Little Penticton P.L., BC Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.