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The 100th running of the Tour de France, captured by Rouleur: 3,404 kilometres, 21 stages, 21 stories.

Table of Contents

RICHARD WILLIAMS STAGE 1: PORT-VECCHIO TO BASTIA The eight jets of the Armée de l’Air’s aerobatics team pass overhead and Chris Froome has crashed before the race proper has even started… At the other end of the day, the Orica-GreenEdge bus is well and truly wedged beneath the finish gantry. The strangest Grands Départ in years. STAGE 2: BASTIA TO AJACCIO Stray dog causes havoc; Froome attacks – sort of; Jan Bakelants wins his first race as a pro and takes yellow. STAGE 3: AJACCIO TO CALVI Orica-GreenEdge are in the news again, Simon Gerrans taking the team’s first ever Tour win. Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas, meanwhile, rides on with a fractured pelvis. GEOFF WAUGH STAGE 4: NICE TO NICE When Danny met Jensy. The youngest Tour debutant since WWII, Dutchman Danny van Poppel, versus veteran rouleur extraordinaire Jens Voigt. STAGE 5: CAGNES-SUR-MER TO MARSEILLE Laissez-Faire – our photographer goes about his business despite underpowered rental cars and attention from the gendarmerie. STAGE 6: AIX-EN-PROVENCE TO MONTPELLIER Parlez-vous français? Mr Waugh gets lost in translation. OLIVIER NILSSON-JULIEN STAGE 7: MONTPELLIER TO ALBI STAGE 8: CASTRES TO AX 3 DOMAINES STAGE 9: SAINT-GIRONS TO BAGNERES-DE-BIGORRE Saint-Béat in the Midi-Pyrenees was devastated by flash floods in June, businesses and homes alike destroyed. With just two weeks to prepare for the Tour’s arrival, how did the community cope with the circus coming to town? And did they care? IAN CLEVERLY STAGE 10: SAINT-GILDAS-DES-BOIS TO SAINT-MALO The journalist’s car window sticker makes him king of the road, access all areas. Trying to race-follow without is next to impossible: 'Route Barrée’… STAGE 11: AVRANCHES TO MONT-SAINT-MICHEL Eurosport’s Carlton Kirby and Sean Kelly spend each stage in a less than commodious mobile TV studio positioned next to the finish line. The Rouleur team squeeze in with them. STAGE 12: FOUGERES TO TOURS Rob Hayles prowls the start area in search of interviews for Eurosport and hits gold: Dave Brailsford, Chris Froome, Dan Martin and Mark Cavendish all face the camera. GUY ANDREWS STAGE 13: TOURS TO SAINT-AMAND-MONTRAND Backstage with the corporate schmoozing crew at the podium. STAGE 14: SAINT-POURCAIN-SUR-SIOULE TO LYON Five-time Tour winner Bernard Hinault – ‘The Badger’ – shows his softer side hosting the VIPs. STAGE 15: GIVORS TO MONT VENTOUX Tour director Christian Prudhomme hard at work atop the legendary Ventoux. ANDY MCGRATH STAGE 16: VAISON-LA-ROMAINE TO GAP Un Tour Sans – a singularly unsuccessful home Tour so far for the host nation. Thomas Voeckler defends his countrymen’s lacklustre performances. STAGE 17: EMBRUN TO CHORGES Froome, Team Sky and the persistent doping allegations from a bloodthirsty media pack. STAGE 18: GAP TO ALPE-D’HUEZ Forty-two Hairpins: Andy joins the throng on the iconic climb of Alpe d’Huez. Fancy dress, booze and sunburn – and that’s just Andy. MORTEN OKBO STAGE 19: BOURG-D’OISANS TO LE GRAND-BORNAND Photographer Jakob bags a lift in the Katusha team car, while Morten gets friendly with a young lady from Pittsburgh, all in the cause of international relations. STAGE 20: ANNECY TO ANNECY – SEMNOZ Morten picks a fight with the presenter, live on Danish TV, then sheds tears as Nairo Quintana storms past on the mountain. STAGE 21: VERSAILLES TO PARIS Our intrepid Danes steal champagne from Danish TV, then jump onto a moving broadcast vehicle to hitch a lift to the finish, only to fall off entering the Champs-Élysées. They recover to party into the early hours with Team Katusha.

About the Author

Features outstanding photography and contributions from Rouleur's regular writers, including former Guardian sports writer Richard Williams.

Reviews

the seventh annual edition of the sport's greatest cycling publication
*The Guardian*

Stunning and inspirational
*Triathlete Europe*

stylish
*Outdoor Fitness*

absolutely exquisite pictures and prose
*Observer*

the very finest photography...alongside high quality reportage
*Philosophy Football*