Tour de France : the history, the legend, the riders (Updated edition)

In this updated edition of the highly acclaimed Tour de France, Graeme Fife sets the 2013 race in the context of the event's remarkable history, stretching back to July 1903.

Combining meticulous research with a pacy narrative style, he penetrates the mystique of the race and paints a colourful picture of the men whose exploits have given the Tour enduring universal appeal.

The momentous 100th edition fully lived up to expectations and was the most exciting race in years.

Mountains loomed large in one of the toughest routes since the Second World War, including a double ascent of the iconic l'Alpe d'Huez in just one day. The Briton Chris Froome, riding with panache and great courage, brought Team Sky its second victory in succession; the Colombian Nairo Quintana emerged as a climber of huge talent; and there was a welcome sense that a new generation of riders was turning its back on a murky past.

Laced with tales of great solo rides, amazing fortitude, terrible misfortune and triumph, Tour de France is the definitive account of this extraordinary competition. Named one of the top-five sports books of the year by both The Independent and The Times, it is the essential guide to the Tour.