The behind the scenes story of the Tour de France and the evolution of the Australian riders from a curiosity to a major contender in the world's greatest bike race.'Since my first Tour de France...Rupert Guinness has been there for every stage, every up and every down...What a Ride is a real insider's journey of the Tour de France.' Stuart O'GradyRupert Guinness has been covering the Tour de France for over 20 years and in that time has watched Australian riders evolve into the collective force they are today. From the pioneering Phil Anderson, who, in the 1980s, set the mark by becoming the first Australian to claim the yellow jersey, to Cadel Evans, Guinness analyses the riders' fortunes and misfortunes through his knowledge of and relationship with these extraordinary athletes.There are humorous and sadly tragic moments, heroes and villains, and testing times when everything seems to go wrong. But there are also days of perfect riding, extraordinary scenery and uplifting successes.'What a Ride is not just a book about Australians racing the Tour, but a warts-and-all insider's account from an Australian journalist in pursuit of the riders seeking victory in the greatest and hardest race of them all.' Phil Anderson, the first Australian to wear the yellow jersey