The Tour de France has long been cycling's most famous and important race; from Maurice Garin's win in 1903 through to today's British domination of the race, the roads and mountains of France have played host to an annual celebration of sporting endeavour. In this new book, cycling writer Giles Belbin has gathered together the gripping stories of the champions who triumphed and themselves became a part of the Tour's rich history. Discover the rider who won the Tour despite finishing fifth, the national idol who was shot dead by his lover with the gun his wife had used to commit suicide, and the Italian winner who helped Jewish families by smuggling papers during war-time training rides. AUTHOR: Giles Belbin is a freelance cycling writer with over 10 years' experience. He has contributed to many cycling publications including Cycling Weekly, Ride Cycling Review, Rouleur, Procycling and Cyclist. The author of three cycling books, Mountain Kings (Punk Publishing); A Year in the Saddle (Aurum Press) and Chasing the Rainbow (Aurum Press), he has also reported on Olympic and World Championship cycling events for magazines and agencies. He lives in Somerset. 20 b/w illustrations