In July 2004, Lance Armstrong will attempt to achieve what no other cyclist has ever done-win a sixth Tour de France. The most grueling athletic event in the world, the Tour de France takes place over 23 days every July across more than 2,000 miles. From punishing mountainous terrain to flat blacktop, cyclists push their bodies to the limit to win the greatest prize in cycling.John Wilcockson is the perfect writer to tell this story-he has covered the Tour de France for the past 35 years. But 23 Days in July will be more than just a day-by-day account of the race. Wilcockson will bring together engaging nuggets of history, set up each day's race with vivid descriptions of the geography, and highlight the mental as well as the physical battle among the four principal contenders-Lance Armstrong, Tyler Hamilton, Jan Ullrich, and Joseba Beloki-with whom he will be in constant contact. Woven into the narrative will be their compelling personal stories, their preparations for the race, and their training regimens, all giving new insight into the human side of the Tour de France.With two 8-page photo inserts by the world's premier cycling photographer, Graham Watson, and featuring interviews with the Tour's only other five-time winners still alive-Belgian Eddy Merckx, Frenchman Bernard Hinault, and Spaniard Miguel Induráin- 23 Days in July will capture the rich history, nationalistic fervor, and diverse geographic challenges of the most dramatic athletic event in the world.

23 Days In July: Inside Lance Armstrong's Record-breaking Tour De France Victory

Sports & Outdoors

Wilcockson, John

Individual Sports

Da Capo Press

Taking place over twenty-three days in July and across more than 2,100 miles of smooth blacktop, rough cobblestones, and punishing mountain terrain, the Tour de France is the most grueling sports event in the world. And in 2004, five-time champion Lance Armstrong set out to achieve what no other cyclist in the 100-year history of the race had ever done: win a sixth Tour de France.Armstrong had four serious challengers who wanted nothing more than to deny the man the French call Le Boss from achieving his goal. The major threat among them was the only other former Tour de France champion in last year's race, Germany's Jan Ullrich- The Kaiser. But when the race was over, Lance Armstrong once again wore the yellow jersey of victory.

23 Days in July: Inside the Tour de France and Lance Armstrong's Record-Breaking Victory

Biographies & Memoirs

No champion has astonished the world quite like Lance Armstrong. A cancer survivor who went on to win the Tour de France an unprecedented seven times, he is an inspiration to millions. Yet few know the complete story of this brash, smart, and fiercely competitive Texan who battled to the top of his sport, overcame the most rampant case of testicular cancer doctors had seen, and then conquered cycling’s Holy Grail time after time. In Lance: The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion, John Wilcockson draws on dozens of interviews with those who know him best to trace Armstrong’s remarkable, yet controversial journey in vivid detail.
Family members—including his adoptive father speaking publicly for the first time—recall Lance’s humble origins in the backstreets of Dallas, the father he barely knew, his single mom’s struggle for survival, and her second marriage that brought a move to the suburbs and new opportunities. His childhood friends and early mentors remember how he moved on from Little League baseball and football to excel at swimming, running, and triathlon, while living the life of a teenager who loved fast cars and pretty girls. They also describe the circumstances that eventually led to his taking up cycling.
As Lance’s fierce ambition drove him from the dusty plains of Texas to the snowy peaks of Europe, he was both admired and derided. He intimidated his rivals, earned the respect of his teammates, and astounded everyone with his extraordinary deeds. But his achievements have consistently been dogged by allegations of doping and secrecy, and questions of how triumph on such a grand scale could even be possible.
So how did Lance become the supreme champion of his sport? He didn’t do it alone. His compelling story is intertwined with the stories of those who helped shape his life and career, including his mother Linda, ex-wife Kristin, and one-time fiancée Sheryl Crow, along with those of his mentors, coaches, and friends. Their voices, along with those who helped him expand his cancer foundation into a worldwide movement, are integral to his unique story. Lance also reveals details, many for the first time, of how Armstrong’s legendary training, near-fatal bout with cancer, repeated doping allegations, and hostile European media all pushed him to reach the pinnacle of his sport and rightly claim the title of the world’s greatest champion.

Lance: The Making of the World s Greatest Champion

Few people know exactly how lance Armstrong became such an amazing force in cycling. Now, in Lance, John Wilcockson draws on dozens of interviews with those who know Armstrong best, to trace his remarkable life, both on and off the bike.
Family members—including his adoptive father, speaking publicly for the first time—recall Armstrong's humble origins, the father he barely knew, and his single mom's struggle for survival. His childhood friends and early mentors recall how he also excelled at other sports, including swimming, running, and triathlons.
Known for pushing his body to the extreme and intimidating his rivals, Armstrong accomplished extraordinary feats like winning the world's professional roadrace championship at twenty-one and taking home the Tour de France trophy seven consecutive years in a row. But his many achievements have consistently been dogged by allegations of doping and secrecy.
In Lance, Wilcockson provides numerous details, many for the first time, of how Armstrong's legendary training, near-fatal bout with cancer, and battles with the media drove him to reach the pinnacle of his sport.

Lance: The Making of the World's Greatest Champion

For 23 days in July, an enthralled global audience watched Lance Armstrong battle to win the 2004 Tour de France. His victory made history. For, in the 2004 Tour, Armstrong had pledged to do the unthinkable, to win a record-breaking sixth consecutive victory; a feat no one had achieved in the Tour's 100-year lifetime. But with stiff competition from Jan 'the Kaiser' Ullrich and others, his success was by no means guaranteed. Armstrong admitted his 2003 performance was 'not acceptable' and that the gruelling cycling regime had taken a lot out of him. The resulting 2004 Tour was absolutely riveting as, following a slow start, Armstrong bulldozed his way to the lead. But Armstrong is no stranger to single-minded determination. Although diagnosed with secondary cancer earlier in his career, it took only 518 days before he was back in the saddle. His turnaround revealed the mental resources which make him a cycling legend. Veteran cycling reporter John Wilcockson's gripping account of the 2004 Tour focuses on just these sort of psychological and strategic dimensions. Using his intimate knowledge of the participants and interviews with the major players, Wilcockson tells the human side of the Tour from the perspective of the principal contenders. His vivid description of life inside the most challenging and popular sports event in the world draws on an unparalleled knowledge of the Tour.

23 Days in July : Inside Lance Armstrong's Record-Breaking Victory in the Tour De France X14 9

John Murray Publishers

23 Days in July : Inside Lance Armstrong's Record-Breaking Victory in the Tour De France

Hodder Hb

Bicycling is for everyone. A million bicycles are sold every week around the world. Increasing awareness of the energy crisis and the need for physical fitness are encouraging people of all ages to take to two wheels. Bicycle commuting, touring, racing and leisure riding have never been as popular as they are today. This book is for all those with an interest - new or established - in making best use of one of man's most efficient inventions. "Bicycle" looks at the role in modern society of this old friend and entertainingly traces its history in words and pictures. On the practical side, there is advice on where and how to buy the machine to suit you. Full guidance is also provicded on mechanics, maintenance and repair - complemented by over 100 detailed drawings. Both the novice and the experienced bicyclist alike will find these invaluable. Many useful hints are provided on all aspects of riding - from finding a comfortable position through to planning a training routine for the potential racer. A special feature of the chapter on bicycle touring is the series of three suggested full-length tours in Britain, Europe and America, each illustrated with a full-color map. Not least of the book's many attractions are the comprehensive list of organizations worldwide and its glossary of technical terms.

Bicycle

M. Cavendish

Lance Armstrong: The World's Greatest Champion

John Murray

The Cycling Year

WATSON, Graham

Guinness, Rupert

Liggett, Phil

Springfield Books

John Wilcockson's World of Cycling

This an all-encompassing look at bicycle racing, with discussions of its many different competitions: the major European miltiday races like the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a Espana; the World Cup single-day classic races, including Paris-Roubaiz and Tour of Lombardy; world championships and Olympic Games; and American events such as the USPRO Championship in Philadelphia.

Velo Press

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Books by Wilcockson, John