First published 2019
The Tour de France operates like chess on wheels. Twenty-two teams deploy 176 riders across three weeks of racing, each following complex strategies that determine victory or defeat. John Wilcockson breaks down these intricate tactics after covering the Tour 45 times as a cycling journalist. He explains how teams coordinate attacks, when riders sacrifice themselves for teammates, and why certain moves succeed while others fail. The book traces the race's history spanning more than a century, profiling legendary winners and bitter rivalries that shaped the sport. Wilcockson examines the technology evolution of racing bicycles and modern training methods that push athletes to their limits. Readers discover how weather, terrain, and team dynamics influence race outcomes. The guide answers practical questions about race rules, stage types, and scoring systems through accessible explanations and visual elements.
Genres: history, sports, non-fiction, technology
Vibes: fast-paced, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: informative-guide
Setting: France
Period: 20th-century, 21st-century
160 pages · Paperback · Motorbooks