'Paris, 4 July 2003: My first Tour de France. I had never seen a bike race. I had only vaguely heard of Lance Armstrong. I had no idea what I was doing there. Yet, that day I was broadcasting live on television. I fumbled my way through a few platitudes, before summing up with the words, "...Dave Millar just missing out on the Yellow Jumper." Yes, the Yellow Jumper.'

Follow Ned Boulting's (occasionally excruciating) experiences covering the world's most famous cycling race. His story offers an insider's view of what really goes on behind the scenes of the Tour. From up-close-and-personal encounters with Lance Armstrong to bewildered mishaps with the local cuisine, Ned's been there, done that and got the crumpled-looking t-shirt.

Eight Tours on from Ned's humbling debut, he has grown to respect, mock, adore and crave the race in equal measure. What's more, he has even started to understand it.

Includes How Cav Won the Green Jersey: Short Dispatches from the 2011 Tour de France

A funny and frank account of falling in love with the Tour de France by television's quintessential roving reporter, Ned Boulting.

About the Author
Ned Boulting started his broadcasting career at Sky in 1997, working as a reporter alongside Jeff Stelling on the now legendary show Soccer Saturday. In 2006 he was given the Royal Television Society's Sports Reporter of the Year Award. He has presented two Tours of Britain for ITV, as well as the inaugural Tour Series, and contributed features and live reports on eight Tours de France.

Reviews
Hugely enjoyable...The only real problem with this book is that it's making me wish away the start of the summer and fast-forward to 2 July and le grand depart -- Helen Pidd * Guardian *
His journey from self confessed 'football hack winging it in a sport beyond his ken' to his initiation into the Tour's nuances and eccentric characters delivers an amusing, warm and easy read * London Cyclist *
A candid, insightful and often hilarious account -- Alastair Campbell
I thought Ned was an old hand at the Tour. Evidently he was clueless... Told with panache -- David Millar
Hugely enjoyable... Brilliant -- Ben East * Metro *



Book Information
ISBN 9780224083362
Author Ned Boulting
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Yellow Jersey Press
Publisher Vintage Publishing
Weight(grams) 357g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 30mm