Le Tour de France - The Official History 1903-2005 is the official DVD celebrating over 100 years of the world's most famous cycling race.
Presented by Sean Kelly, narrated by David Duffield, and with commentary by Phil Liggett this 2 hour official Tour de France DVD celebrates an incredible century of Cycling, from the early flickering images of the 1903 Winner, Maurice Garin, right up to Lance Armstrong’s 5th straight victory in 2003.
As well as the triumphs we also explore the tragedies and controversies associated with the Tour, amongst them the death of two-time winner Octavia Bottachia, reputedly murdered by fascists, the death of Tommy Simpson on the Ventoux in 1967 and Fabio Casartelli’s Death in 1995.
The early years of the Tour are full of heroics and all the protagonists are featured from Lucien Petit Breton and Philippe Thijs, to Rene Vietto and Antonin Magne. After WW2 came the Italian Revolution with the emergence of Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, one of the greatest of them all. However, the Golden Age of the 50s saw the return of the French champions in Bobet, Walkowiak and Gaul as well as the inaugural win of Jacques Anquetil in 1957 who went on to complete the first ever five-timer. His battles with Raymond Poulidor are still talked about to this day.
And then came Eddy Merckx, unquestionably the finest of them all, who trounced the opposition in his five victories. Merckx was followed by Luis Ocana, Bernard Thevenet and Lucien Van Impe before the next five-time winner emerged in Bernard Hinault, followed swiftly by Spanish legend Miguel Indurain who dominated the early 1990s with his five consecutive victories from 1991.
Other individual highlights featured include Stephen Roche’s epic 1987 victory and the amazing 1989 success of Greg Lemond over two-time winner Laurent Fignon by a mere 8 seconds. The main programme finishes with an extended profile of the phenomenal Lance Armstrong, who overcame cancer to stand on the brink of becoming the first ever six-time winner of the Tour de France. Armstrong's 6th & 7th victories are featured in the DVD extras.
DVD Extras:
Exclusive interviews with Sean Kelly & David Duffield
Eddy Merckx extended profile
Highlights of the 2004 & 2005 Tours and Lance Armstrong’s record 6th & 7th Tour victories
It the world's most famous cycling race and this official DVD tells the story of the Tour de France from 1903-2005. Cycling fans will revel in its comprehensive coverage of over a century of top cycling action.