The Tour de France is a world famous cycling race that takes place over twenty-three days and 2200 miles of France. Fans and cyclists travel from around the world to watch the race, and many more tune in on TV. If you have missed any of the last few years, you can now catch up on DVD. Here is a look at the best Tour de France DVD’s. Whether you are an avid or casual fan, you will love adding these to your DVD collection. Tour de France jerseys are explained here.
Best Tour de France DVD’s: 2008 Tour de France 12 Hour Extended DVD
Published by World Cycling Productions
Approximate Cost: $145.00
If you didn’t see the 2008 Tour de France, it has just been released on a six disc set. This was one of the most suspenseful and exciting races yet. It features Cadel Evans, Alejandro Valverde, and Carlos Sastre, who is the final man in the yellow jersey, the Tour de France winner. Oscar Freire took the green jersey, and twenty-three year old Mark Cavendish won four stage wins. Austrian Bernhard Kohl won the dotted jersey. Watch twelve hours of footage on ths newly released DVD set.
Best Tour de France DVD’s: 2007 Tour de France 12 Hour DVD The Road Rediscovered
Published by World Cycling Productions
Approximate Cost: $89.95
After the doping scandal that took place in 2006, a cloud hung over the world of professional cycling. The 2007 Tour de France helped clear that cloud, with a return to the excitement of the race itself. The race was dominated by twenty-four year old Alberto Contador, and he made an astounding Tour de France win. In this DVD series, you see his strength and aggressive style shine.
Best Tour de France DVD’s: 2006 Tour de France 12 Hour DVD Floyd Landis Hero or Villain?
Published by World Cycling Productions
Approximate Cost: $89.95
The 2006 Tour de France proved to be a shocker, and you can see the drama play out in this coverage of the race. Robbie McEwan wins the green jersey, and Michael Rasmussen wins his second consecutive King of the Mountain (KOM) title. Each day of the race seems to produce another great winner. This is the year that Floyd Landis wins the race, only to be disqualified for alleged doping. The Tour de France win then went to Oscar Pereiro.
Best Tour de France DVD’s: 2005 Tour de France 4 Hour DVD
Published by World Cycling Productions
Approximate Cost: $35.70
The 2007 Tour de France brought us Lance Armstrong’s career famous seventh win. There is also a lot of other drama, with David Zabriskie edging him out for the yellow jersey before crashing and withdrawing. Crashes also plague Michael Rasmussen, who still manages to win King of the Mountain, although he has three bike changes in the final time trial. In the end Lance Armstrong gives his all to the race, and it pays off with the yellow jersey.
Hell on Wheels
Published by First Run Features
Approximate Cost: $ 29.95
Hell on Wheels is a documentary about the Tour de France, but not in the traditional sense. The film does not focus on the finish line, but instead tells the story of two German teammates and how they experience the race. It is directed by German filmmaker Pepe Danquart and stars Eric Zabel and Rolf Aldag. It focuses on the race itself, and the physical challenges and difficulties that are faced by the cyclists. It is an intense examination, with behind the scenes looks at the team managers, cyclists, race fans, and everyone else who makes the Tour de France everything that it is. This is oftern referred to as the all-time best Tour de France DVD.
These five DVD selections will give you a thoruough look at the Tour de France over the last few years, and are a must have for the cycling enthusiast. If you are interested in Tour de France books, a review is available here.
