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| The Tour De France Companion: Victory Edition | 
| Authors: Bob Roll, Dan Koeppel
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Category: Book
List Price: $10.95
Buy Used: $0.01
You Save: $10.94 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 565324
Media: Paperback
Edition: Victory
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.5
ISBN: 0761135200
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.620944
UPC: 019628135209
EAN: 9780761135203
ASIN: 0761135200
Publication Date: May 1, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Millions of satisfied customers and climbing. Thriftbooks is the name you can trust, guaranteed. Spend Less. Read More.
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Product Description
We all know about Lance Armstrong, who this summer made history by being the first rider ever to win a sixth Tour de France. But what about the peloton and the role it plays in supporting the leader? What about the difference between a stage win and a time trial? What about the Tour's curiously chivalric code of behavior? What about the caravan?
With the popularity of Armstrong and the Tour outstripping our knowledge of bicycle racing, here is The Tour de France Companion, a fully illustrated primer that explains the strategies, ground rules, history, personalities, techniques, and technology behind one of the world's most spectacular and brutal sporting events. It's all clear: How teams work together. How their bikes are different from our bikes. What it takes to be a racer--the rare combination of slow- and fast-twitch muscles, a huge cardiovascular system, and an extraordinary toughness that allows you to endure more pain than your rivals. The jerseys: yellow, green, polka-dot, white, and the "combativity prize" to the rider who tries the hardest (look for a red race number). The complicated timing structure, including why it's so difficult to finish a tour--every rider must finish within ten percent or so of the fastest guy every single day, or head for home. Even what happens when the leader needs to make a rest stop--no, the other contenders don't zoom off into the sunset. Includes a glossary, stats, historic timeline, 2004 tour map, and more.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Compact, Informative, Eyeopener August 6, 2005
Written before the 2004 Tour history making 6 Tour wins, that has to be taken into consideration when reading. They did include a colorful summary of the 2004 Tour at the beginning of the book. Is a real nice history of the Tour and players since 1903. Answers some often wondered questions, like how do they go to the bathroom? Covers rituals of teams and riders. Also the written and unwritten rules. In the back of the book are great graphs: Tour timeline; different jersey winners from their beginnings; and other insignificant but, interesting to a true Tour fan, facts. Even if you think you know the Tour you can learn something new.
Rolling with Roll February 23, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Whether you are new to cycling or a veteran of the road, there is something for everyone here to digest. Bob Roll, the gap-toothed comedic sidekick to the more serious Phil Ligget on the outstanding OLN broadcast that cyclists look forward to every July is almost as entertaining in print as he is on television. This companion to the Tour de France can be enjoyed anytime of the year (for that spring motivation?)but obviously is best for TDF viewing. The companion was made specifically for the 2004 edition of cyclings greatest event but is full of so much history and tid bits of information that it can digested anytime. For the novice it is indespensible because it explains all the nuances that might otherwise go unnoticed. Any cyclist knows how annoying it can be to try and explain the peleton and other strategies during the race. We've all heard the words, " I don't know why he just doesn't go ahead and pass the other rider." The strategies are all explained and put in historical context, complete with humorous anecdotes and little known facts. The book is dedicated to one of the recent heroes but tragic figures of cycling, Marco Pantini, the diminutive giant who demonstrated to the world that he was the premier lithe and sinewy climber affectionally known as "The Pirate." The book hails the exploits of all the great riders of the past and present, the heartbreak and the heartbreakers, the riding asssassins and their victims. This is the everymans companion to one of the worlds greatest events and spectacles. The now defunct champion U.S Postal Team complete roster reflects the international nature of this sport and is featured here. All the major climbs, the meat and potatoes, heart and soul that seperates the pretenders from the contenders for the final victory lap on the Champs-Elysees are featured with descriptions etc. including the legendary grade 7.9 percent Alped'Huez that tortures all who attempt to snatch TDF victory in the mountains. All the head games are explained, the psychological chess matches between teams and individuals are expounded upon. There is also a nice historical time line of events in the TDF and a variety of records set in various categories for those inclined to factoids. All those who have worn the yellow jersey, from the first TDF's winner Garin in 1903 to Lance Armstrong in 2003 tying the record for consecutive victories, it is all here for you to check out. You can even ink in Armstrong as the all time record setter with his unprecedented sixth consecutive victory as the 2004 winner ! As stated before, it was intended for the 2004 event but was written in such a manner that it will serve you well for future events too. If Lance Armstrong is all you know about the TDF and you're into cycling than you need this book. A must for the novice and a neccessary addition for the complete cycling aficionados library.
Great book for those new to the Tour February 17, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I enjoyed this book because it explained the Dour de France in a way most people could understand. I found the break from "Bobke" style a welcome change! If you are interested in learning the basics about the Tour, get this book!
Perfect Intro to the Tour December 28, 2004
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
First-time viewers are often both suprised and confused by the complexity of the Tour de France. If you've become interested in the world's most difficult endurance event then this book is the perfect place to satisfy your curiosity. TDF Companion is the best introduction to cycling that I've ever come across. Readers will quickly understand why the Tour de France inspires such rabid fans. Long-time cycling afficionados will love the book for the jaw-dropping facts sprinkled throughout, along with the incredible insight of a man who has run this gauntlet several times.
Be forewarned: once you understand cycling you are likely to become addicted.
A kinder, gentler Bob Roll explains the Tour July 13, 2004
27 out of 28 found this review helpful
"The Tour de France Companion" is a concise and well written introduction to the Tour. As other reviewers have noted, Bob Roll appears to have been working with a strong editor and/or sedatives, and the manic Bobke style only occasionally appears (it's most evident in his comments about Jan Ullrich).
As a long-time cycling fan I can't say that I learned anything new about the organization or strategy of the Tour, but there are plenty of historical anecdotes to keep the reading interesting. There are also a few gems, like the 1994 photo of youngsters Armstrong, Pantani, and Virenque climbing together. Ten years and three tumultuous careers later, one wonders what they were thinking then. One might also wonder what Virenque was thinking with that haircut.
And, yes, the book is Lance-centric. Sort of like the last five Tours.
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