How Cav Won the Green Jersey

Nov 15, 2024 6:20 PM

Author:Ned Boulting

This is not a 100,000-word, minute-by-minute, blow-by-blow account of the 2011 Tour de France.

This is not the story of Cadel Evans.

This is not the story of Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck, or Bradley Wiggins.

And it's not even the story of Mark Cavendish.

(Although he is in it quite a lot.)

This is the story of the lesser-known heroes; the Johnny Hoogerlands, the Thomas Voecklers, the hitchhikers, the maniac press drivers, Norbert Dentressangle and the greatest ever Tour de France*.

I was there. And this is what I saw. That is all.

In this 20,000-word digital short, ITV's Ned Boulting, author of How I Won the Yellow Jumper, takes an honest and idiosyncratic look at the unforgettable 2011 Tour de France, when Mark Cavendish won the Green Jersey.

*probably

Reviews

A must-read for fight fans... brings a unique perspective to boxing. Smith's exhaustive research is illuminated by his myriad contacts in the fight business and his close affection for boxers and their families

—— Jeff Powell , Daily Mail

A very enjoyable catalogue of our era

—— Glyn Leach , Boxing Monthly

An eye-opener

—— arrse.co.uk

A beautifully written, vivid portrait not just of Merckx, but also his era and his 'victims'

—— Scotsman

Well written and well researched

—— Cycling World

The transformation of Merckx the man into Merckx the deity on two wheels. A superb piece of modern history.

—— Outdoor Fitness

InIntriguing insight into one of professional cycling's greatest rivalries...an engrossing story

—— Bike Radar

Both men invite Moore into their homes: a privilege that clearly took some badger-like tenacity to secure. But it was worth the effort as Moore gains fresh insight into the rivalry

—— Scott Dougal , East Anglian Daily Times

The stars are, inevitably, Hinault and LeMond themselves, both with their own memories of what did and did not happen. But they're almost outshone by three of the supporting cast... How true was Hinauolt to his word in 1986? Was he just stirring it up or did he actually try to give the French what they wanted from him, a sixth Tour victory? Well that's the story Richard Moore tells in Slaying The Badger. And some stories you really do have to read for yourselves

—— Podiumcafe.com

The tale of the spectator Lemond-Hinault rivalry over the roads of the 'greatest ever' Tour de France in 1986 is hardly unknown for most cycling fan - and yet Moore magnificently offers a fresh perspective, bringing alive this supreme tussle by resorting to some vintage toilet humour... His book is a gripping read

—— UK.eurosport.yahoo.com/blog/blazin-saddles

[Moore] entertainingly unravels the complexities of the relationships within the peloton

—— Richard Williams , Guardian

One of Bike Radar’s favourite books of the past 12 months

—— Bike Radar

Moore unearths a dazzling array of detail through interviews and anecdotes, telling a tale that holds suspense even for those who know the ultimate outcome of this epic battle. As racing books go, Moore’s book just might be “the greatest ever"

—— Kent Petersen , Outside Magazine

The measure of a great book is a great start.Richard Moore’s introductory anecdote in Slaying the Badger set a new standard in cycling literature

—— Cycle Sport

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