Le Tour de France - the toughest bicycle race of all, celebrated its 100th birthday in 2003. Year after year this spectacular event fascinates millions of people worldwide. And the winner takes it all...

But within the beauty of the French landscape and the suspension of the race, Academy Award Winner Pepe Danquart is also telling about the torture and the pain, the fear and the weaknesses of the men. He is offering a true insight and brings close to us the individuals on the bike. We see the tears of those who are out of the race and the joy of those, who suffered but fulfilled their biggest dream: to reach the finishing-line of the hardest race of all.

Bonus Features:

English Language Interview With Director, Pepe Danquart
Behind The Camera
Tour De France Interactive Map
Image Gallery
Deleted Scenes From The Film
Trailer

Regional Code: 0 (Plays on all DVD Players).
Languages: German (English Subtitles)
Picture Format: Full-Screen.
Length: (approx) 123 minutes + bonus features Learn More

David Millar, Chris Boardman, Sean Yates... three of the biggest names in British cycling. Together with the late Tom Simpson, they share a unique honour... all have worn the much coveted leaders yellow jersey in the world's biggest and hardest cycle race, the Tour de France.

Hear from them and many other famous British riders; Brian Robinson, Malcolm Elliott, Robert Millar, Vin Denson, Alan Ramsbottom, as they talk about their experiences in the Tour. And see their biggest victories, in this special film that tells the story of the British participation. Hear the story of Britain's hero, Brian Robinson, as he tells us of how in 1958 he became the first British rider to win a stage of the Tour and then went on to repeat it a year later. The first British riders to tackle the Tour where brave men. They were pioneers. Charlie Holland and Bill Burl achieved recognition and respect when they entered the Tour in 1937 and we hear from Holland about how it was to ride the Tour on the roads of the 1930's! Tony Hoar. He came home, carrying the symbolic red lantern, as last rider in the 1955 Tour but the French crowds took him to their heart and we have Eurosport commentator David Duffield telling us how he was there in Paris to see it. Tom Simpson's ambition saw him take 6th position in 1962, the highest ever at that time by a British rider and we hear from his nephew about how much winning the Tour meant to him. Barry Hoban was a tremendous rider, and from his Welsh farmhouse, he tells us what life was really like on the fast lane of the finishing line. We hear from Television commentator Paul Sherwen, Graham Jones who came 20th in only his second Tour, 1995 stage winner Max Sciandri, while Sean Yates takes us through the highs of his Tour career and his yellow jersey win. The Olympic Pursuit Champion Chris Boardman became only the second British rider to wear the yellow jersey, and he explains his special relationship with the Tour, while we spend time in the South of France with Britain's new cycling superstar David Millar and relive again, his wonderful stage victories. In this special film, we celebrate Britain's great achievements in the Tour, with fabulous race footage and sparkling and treasured reminiscences from the British cyclists who rode it. And with contributions from long standing cycling supporters, such as Sir Jimmy Saville OBE, who rode the early Tour of Britain races, we look to the future, to the young British riders supported by the Dave Rayner Fund and the challenges and hopes that lie ahead for them. Narrated by Phil Liggett

BONUS FEATURES: Included on the dvd are over 40 minutes of extra footage and interviews Running Time: 360 minutes

This DVD is Region Free and in PAL format - it will play on most multi-format DVD players. Learn More