Contents

Preface

Maps

Prologue Paris, 1903

1 Sowing the Seed 1903–1908

2 To the Mountains 1909–1914

Repos: PICARDY

3 Braves Belges 1919–1924

4 Convicts of the Road 1925–1929

Repos: GASCONY

5 French Renaissance 1930–1934

6 Raisons Politiques 1935–1939

Repos: NORMANDY

7 Italian Duel 1947–1951

8 Bobet Divides France 1952–1957

Repos: BURGUNDY

9 Anquetil’s Apotheosis 1958–1962

10 ‘Put Me Back on My Bike’ 1963–1967

Repos: PROVENCE

11 Merckx Devours the Field 1968–1973

12 Heart and Nerve and Sinew 1974–1980

Repos: BRITTANY

13 The Yanks Are Coming 1981–1987

14 Induráin in Excelsis 1988–1994

Repos: SAVOY

15 Tour de Farce 1995–1998

16 A Big Injustice 1999–2005

17 Shame and Redemption 2006–2012

Epilogue

Some Tour Words

Some Tour Books

Some Tour Facts

Index

List of Illustrations