I have been enthralled by this amazing cycling race, Le Tour de France, that started in Monaco on July 4th, and is due to end on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday July 26th. Apart from being rewarded with an armchair tour of the beautiful European countryside, and magnificent mountain scenery of the Alps and Pyrenees, I have been amazed at the tenacity, courage and determination of the men cycling this gruelling route. The team work, tactics and strategies have been fascinating to watch. After racing for 4 -odd hours a day, the final result is fought out over the last few 100 metres.

21 days of racing,  159km to 224km per day,  total distance of 3500km, 5900 calories burnt per day (I heard they had to eat the equivalent of 62 cheeseburgers A DAY to replenish that!) six countries: Monaco, France, Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and Italy, 180 riders, 20 teams.

The race first took place in July 1903 with sixty cyclists. It was organised by a journalist from L’Auto, to get cycling fans to read the daily sports magazine. That goal was reached and the circulation increased from 25000 to 65000 readers. Today the race attracts over 15 million spectators, with 5 million television viewers.

With two stages to go, and a lot of cycling and climbing and sweating before the finish line is in sight, Alberto Contador wears the overall winner’s Yellow Jersey. He has a lead of 4 minutes 11 sec over Andy Schleck, and third placed Lance Armstrong.  I know where I’ll be on Sunday afternoon…….