Cat McCabe can hardly wait. So many of her good friends will be there. Rachel to gossip with, Alex to be teased by, Josh always looking out for her. Maybe Fen and Pip will visit again, they might even bring Django this time. And of course Ben will be there, snatching time with her whenever possible, sharing beds that are often rickety, or too small or, once in a while, as at Auberge Claudette, near perfect. There is even the chance to retrace their trip to the dunes at Arcachon. Where it all began between the two of them. When Cat changed her life for the better. Vive le Tour.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Back in 1991, whilst zapping through TV channels, I came across a bunch of boys on bikes. I had no idea what they were doing exactly, nor why they would want to scale a mountain in blistering heat by bicycle. However, it was the most hypnotic, compelling sight to me and soon enough I was obsessed. To be allowed to indulge my passion by basing a novel around the greatest sporting event in the world, I owe deep gratitude to my wonderful editor and friend, Lynne Drew, and my incredible agent and friend Jonathan Lloyd.

To the Société du Tour de France, for welcoming me into the fold and affording me so many privileges, I am truly honoured and immensely grateful. Personnel at the time included Agnes Pierret, Pascal Thomas, John Lelangue, Sonia Barjou-Rousseau and a special mention for Sophie del Rizzo. Teun van Vliet, thanks for the ride – I think I left my stomach somewhere on the descent of the Madeleine.

I’m indebted to the riders who were so helpful and generous with their advice, memoirs and anecdotes. Enormous thanks to Chris Boardman, to David Millar, to Graham Jones. Also, to Stuart O’Grady, Magnus Backstedt, Jay Sweet and all the riders who let me witter on at the villages. At the US Postal team in general, many thanks to riders past and present: Viatcheslav Ekimov, JC Robin, George Hincapie, Tyler Hamilton and to Jonathan Vaughters for letting me sit in on his massage. I’m grateful to Johnny Weltz for memorable and informative rides in the team car, to mechanic Geoff Brown and PR Louise Donald. Also, to Jill Jemison for dispelling myths and for that restorative ice cream at the water’s edge in Aix-les-Bains. Much gratitude and love to Emma O’Reilly for incredible generosity with her frangipane and her time, both on and off duty – always a great craic.

In the salle de pressé, my thanks to all the journalists who were so friendly and helpful; in particular Sam Abt, Andy Hood, Leon Bignell, Michael Enggaard, Susanne Horsdal, Stephen Farrand, Alasdair Fotheringham, Graham Watson and Rob Lampard. Also Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen at Channel 4 and Simon Brotherton, Joanne Corrigan and Graham Jones (again) at Radio 5 Live. Also Christi and Phil Anderson, Shelley Verses and Greg LeMond.

Huge thanks to Sally Boardman, Peter Woodworth and all at Beyond Level 4. Much gratitude to all at Sports for Television and everyone involved with the Prutour, especially Alan Rushton, Rita Bellanca, John Herety, Tim Harris, Joscelin Ryan, Gerry Dawson and Clare Salmon. Thanks to numerous McQuaids, specifically Pat at the UCI, Kieren for driving me Stage 1 of the 1998 Tour and Ann for back issues and enthusiasm. Thanks, too, to Harry Gibbings and Simon Lillistone.