Tour de France book tips: Cycling reading material for the Tour de France 2024

Behind the scenes at the Tour de France - the mechanics' tips & tricks

We all remember Eddie Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain. But could they have won the Tour de France without their team behind the scenes? Luke Edwardes-Evans shows in his book "Behind the Scenes of the Tour de France. The tips & tricks of the team mechanics", Luke Edwardes-Evans impressively demonstrates the enormous contribution made by the technicians and bike mechanics.

The book sheds light on fascinating aspects such as the combination of high-tech and mechanics in bicycle technology. It offers valuable insights into the maintenance, preparation and follow-up of tyres, accessories and electronics - knowledge that comes directly from the professionals. Exclusive tips & tricks also reveal what the bike mechanics' toolboxes contain. In addition, classic TdF bikes from the 1950s to 1980s are presented.

Another highlight of the book is its workshop manual character combined with an exciting look behind the scenes of the Tour de France. Of course, there are routines and maintenance work that must be carried out conscientiously before and after every race. But whether you are a professional cyclist or a technician, there are no normal days for anyone taking part in the Tour de France. Every stage pushes man and material to their limits; every race is full of imponderables such as the condition of the roads or the weather - factors to which the material has to react.

A good support crew is prepared for everything - but is always surprised by the course of the race. This book provides us with valuable insights into the Tour entourage - an absolute must for every cycling enthusiast!

• Pages: 208
• Format: 19.3 x 24.5 cm
• Price: 10 Euro

>> The book Behind the scenes of the Tour de France is available here in the Delius Klasing shop.

"To hell with the flamme rouge"

One has been reporting on the grand tours on Eurosport for 25 years, while the other began his sports reporting for the Stuttgarter Zeitung in the early 1990s. In a joint book, they now share their stories from the road and provide a glimpse behind the scenes of the world's biggest cycling race. What does the everyday life of a journalist actually look like during the three weeks in France? What logistical challenges have to be overcome? What were their favourite and most unusual experiences with riders and team bosses? Which Tour was the most exciting for them and why? And how did they experience the doping scandal in 1998?

Experienced cycling reporters Karsten Migels and Jürgen Löhle tell these and many other stories with a great deal of knowledge and humour. With an insider's perspective, they report on icy highs and accompany the riders through frustrating lows such as doping, cloudbursts and mass crashes. Piquant encounters with the police (riding too fast!) and the Tour commissioners (riding far too slowly!!!) are also part of their stories. The main thing is to find a hotel room or at least a place to spend the short nights lying down. ..

• Pages: 192
• Format: 14.4 x 22.2 cm
• Price: 19,90 Euro

>> The book "To hell with the flamme rouge" is available here in the Delius Klasing shop.

21 Curves

The 21 bends up to Alpe d'Huez are undoubtedly a legend in cycling. This challenging climb in the Alps stretches over 13.8 kilometres and has an average gradient of 8.1 percent. Decisive moments of the Tour de France have already been experienced here and unforgettable heroes have been born, including Marco Pantani, who conquered the mountain in record time with his unique cradle ride in 1997 and wrote an unforgettable history of cycling.

The Italian climbing specialist had previously suffered serious injuries in an accident that could have ended his career. But he fought his way back and made a triumphant comeback on 19 July 1997 with his legendary ascent. This impressive comeback is the source of inspiration for author Fred Poulet. In 21 captivating chapters, he delves deep into the world of Marco Pantani's thoughts and takes us through the sleepless night before his great triumph in this book.

• Pages: 192
• Format: 14.3 x 22 cm
• Price: 22 Euro

>> The book 21 Curves is available here in the Delius Klasing shop

You miserable murderers

Itching powder in the jersey, nails on the race route and racing cyclists who prefer to take the train: Jürgen Löhle knows the wild stories that have taken place on the Tour de France. He recounts the most bizarre, exciting and tragic events in his book "You miserable murderers!".

One of the most famous anecdotes is about the Algerian Abdel-Kader Zaaf. During the 1950 Tour de France, he led the field on the stage to Montpellier, but was plagued by severe thirst. He drank a bottle of white wine in a restaurant and then lay down for an afternoon nap. Fans woke him up, but were unable to prevent him from riding in the wrong direction and being disqualified.

The book contains anecdotes, curiosities and fun facts about the Tour de France as well as background stories about the Tour de France circus and stories about the people who shaped the Tour.

• Pages: 160
• Format: 14.5 x 22 cm
• Price: 19,90 Euro

>> The book You miserable murderers is available here in the Delius Klasing shop.

Epic

In his book, Thomas Olsthoorn tells the gripping stories of the memorable stage winners of the last ten years at the Tour de France, the most important cycling race in the world. As a cycling journalist, he sheds light on the triumphs of male and female mountain specialists, sprinters, helpers and top riders from Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Well-known names such as Marcel Kittel, Christophe Laporte, Thomas De Gendt, John Degenkolb, Mathieu van der Poel, Annemiek van Vleuten, Fabio Jakobsen and Marianne Vos are portrayed as well as lesser-known athletes and athletes who had to go a long way to experience their moment of glory at the Tour de France.

• Pages: 208
• Format: 14.2 x 22 cm
• Price: 22 Euro

>> The book Epic is available here in the Delius Klasing shop.

The road bike cookbook

Not only competitive athletes are aware of the importance of good nutrition for their performance. Hobby cyclists and weekend riders also benefit from a proper diet that improves cycling. Dutch master chef Ben van Beurten has therefore developed special recipes that provide cyclists with optimal nutrition before, during and after their tour. He differentiates between ideal dishes for training and racing, depending on the weather conditions (good or bad weather) and for flat and mountainous stages. The road bike cookbook contains recipes for literally every terrain, all of which are individually enriched with beautiful pictures and are guaranteed to be a cooking success with precise descriptions.

• Pages: 160
• Format: 22.7 x 22.8 cm
• Price: 24,90 Euro

>> The book The road bike cookbook is available here in the Delius Klasing shop.