John Wilcockson

4.51479 learners

Join veteran cycling journalist John Wilcockson for an immersive, day-by-day journey through the 2004 Tour de France—23 days of grueling climbs, high-stakes sprints, and intense rivalries that culminated in Lance Armstrong’s historic sixth consecutive victory. From the opening prologue in Liège to the iconic Champs-Élysées finish, this book pulls back the curtain on the peloton’s inner workings: witness Armstrong’s strategic battles with Jan Ullrich, Ivan Basso, and Tyler Hamilton; the heartbreak of Hamilton’s mid-race withdrawal due to injury; the drama of doping scandals that rocked the sport; and the unbreakable teamwork of the U.S. Postal Service Team. Wilcockson’s on-the-ground reporting captures the raw emotion, physical toll, and tactical genius that define cycling’s most prestigious race, offering fans an unprecedented look at one of Armstrong’s most dominant Tour campaigns.