The Official Tour de France Centennial, 1903-2003

From Publishers Weekly
This official book, endorsed by the race organizers and produced with L'Equipe, France's daily sports magazine, is one of several titles published for the Tour de France's 100th anniversary. There's a foreword by four-time winner Armstrong, along with an eye-catching photo of him on the jacket. The book begins with a brief history of the race, then follows with a year-by-year summary of each event. For each race year, there are stats detailing the winners of the event and the various stages along with photos. Most of the photos for the first 30 years are standard publicity shots but the color photos of the past 20 years are more action-oriented. The writing is stylish and exuberant. About the 1992 race: "Simply sublime! On 14 June 1992, Miguel Indur in rode victoriously into Milan, having won the Giro d'Italia by virtue of extraordinary aggression in the time trials, impenetrable defense in the mountains and an almost infallible ability to read the race. On 4 July, he brought the same skills to the 1992 Tour de France and won the Prologue at San Sebastian, in front of massive and adoring Basque crowds." About Lance Armstrong in 1993: "Lance Armstrong is going to be a force to be reckoned with. With a name like Armstrong, it's only a matter of time." This is an attractive coffee-table book, but probably only serious fans will read it all. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
The Tour de France is an event unrivalled in sports; for more than a century, it has offered a spectacle filled with unparalleled passion, adventure, and sheer physical difficulty. Here is the definitive, official record of that thrilling sporting phenomenon, produced in collaboration with L’Equipe, France’s premier sports daily, and including a foreword by the five-time Tour de France winner and international sports celebrity, Lance Armstrong. With access to the Tour de France’s own archives, this huge, lushly photographed volume chronicles the race from its raw origins more than 100 years ago to its current position as the world’s greatest sporting challenge.



About the Author
L'Equipe is France's premier sports newspaper. In 1903 it founded the Tour de France and its archives contain the world's most complete record of the race.


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The Tour de France is an event unrivaled in sports; for more than a century, it has offered a spectacle filled with unparalleled passion, adventure, and sheer physical difficulty. Here is the definitive, official record of that thrilling sporting phenomenon, produced in collaboration with L'Equipe, France's premier sports daily, and including a foreword by the 5-time Tour de France winner and international sports celebrity, Lance Armstrong. Armstrong, who last year tied the record with his 5th consecutive win, will be competing again--and this year, a 6th victory would establish him as the best rider in the sport's history. With access to the Tour de France's own archives, this huge, lushly photographed volume chronicles the race from its raw origins more than 100 years ago to its current position as the world's greatest sporting challenge. From Lance Armstrong's incredible comeback from cancer to Tommy Simpson's death on the slopes of Mont Ventoux, the event has been the stage for memorable triumphs and heartrending tragedies.
Year by year follow the grit and glory, the victory and defeat, the bravery and controversy, in the words of the players themselves. Through oversize photographs, track the race through the hundreds and hundreds of miles pedaled by competitors such as Maurice Garin, the first winner; Jacques Anquetil and Eddie Merck, both 4-time champions; Miguel Indurain and Bernard Hilault, who each won a breathtaking 5 times; and, of course, Armstrong, out to set new records. Every inch is filled with drama.


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