Alarmed by the spectacle of Tour riders being hauled off to jail on television, Samaranch weighed his options.

Early Tour riders consumed alcohol and used ether, among other substances, as a means of dulling the pain of competing in endurance cycling.

The list of pleased Tour riders is far longer.

The peloton stopped a second time and threatened a mass withdrawal against the treatment of the Tour riders as criminals.

Zoetemelk is one of the most successful Tour riders of all time; he finished second a record six times and won once.

The camp was run by the former Tour rider, Charles Pélissier.

Other high-profile potential Tour riders were caught up in doping controversies.

Tour riders generally remained positive however.

It can be obsessive to Tour riders.

In all but the worst weather, the Tour riders don't go anywhere without a fleet of television helicopters buzzing overhead.