Speed Read Tour de France
The History, Strategies and Intrigue Behind the World's Greatest Bicycle Race
by John Wilcockson
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Pub Date 7 May 2019 | Archive Date 9 Jul 2019
Quarto Publishing Group – Motorbooks | Motorbooks
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Description
Le Tour has sometimes been called “chess on wheels” because of the complicated strategies used by the race's 22 teams and 176 riders. This book—written by award-winning cycling journalist John Wilcockson, who has covered the Tour 45 times—will help you understand those tactics, along with informing you about the race’s century-plus history, its famed winners and rivalries, and the technology that has gone into creating the modern racing bicycle and determining how today’s athletes train.
Among the questions answered are:
- Who owns the Tour?
- How are the course’s 21 stages selected?
- What are the most famous mountain climbs?
- How is the overall winner determined?
- What is a peloton, a soigneur, or an echelon?
- How big are the prizes?
- What are time bonuses?
- Who was the first American to compete in the Tour, and who was the first one to win it?
- How fast do the racers go down mountain descents?
- What speeds can the riders reach in sprint finishes?
- Why are the teams known by the names of their sponsors and not their countries?
- What do the riders eat, and where do they sleep every night?
- What are all those motorcycles doing among the cyclists?
- How do the organizers deal with doping scandals?
- And is it true that, one year, the top four finishers were all disqualified?
With Motorbooks’ Speed Read series, become an instant expert in a range of fast-moving subjects, from Formula 1 racing to car design. Accessible language, compartmentalized sections, fact-filled sidebars, glossaries of key terms, and event timelines deliver quick access to insider knowledge. Their brightly colored covers, modern design, pop art–inspired illustrations, and handy size make them perfect on-the-go reads.
Marketing Plan
Key Selling Points: The most up-to-date introductory Tour de France book in the market. Award-winning author John Wilcockson has covered 45 Tours to date as a sports journalist working for outlets including The Times (London), Outside magazine, Men's Journal, and The New York Times. Le Tour is immensely popular around the world. The 2017 Tour de France boasted average televised peak viewership of 1.2 million and peak viewership of 7.3 million.
Key Campaign Activity Publicity focus beyond Biking Target biking and sporting enthusiasts and mainstream audiences Excerpts
Trade: Review copy push to: Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Shelf Awareness
Retail: Partner with Sales team to create a coordinated Sales and marketing effort
Consumer: Use the Wilcockson’s connections and experience for coverage
Publicity/Media: Early review copies to: Sports Illustrated, ESPN, Men’s Health, Outside Review copy push to cycling media: Bicycling Magazine, Bike Magazine, Velo, Momentum Magazine, Cycle Presse, Triathlon Magazine
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780760364475 |
| PRICE | US$24.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 160 |
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