Based on the 1993 Tour, this book describes the world of professional cycle racing in the way of a latter-day Canterbury Tales. Interviews with all the key players produce an in-depth study of how the sport works and the driving force that makes the riders push themselves to the limit of their endurance and sometimes beyond. Thus there is the Rookie's Tale - the reactions of the first-timer straight after he has completed his first day in one of the toughest tests of sporting endurance in the world; the Champion's Tale - Indurain, now three times winner, will return again - why, what has he still to prove?; the Servant's Tale - how does he thwart the efforts of his leader's rivals?; the Abandon's Tale - after making the supreme effort, physical and mental, how does it feel to fail? The book also includes the stories of the Climber, the Manager, the Soigneur and all the rest.