Synopses & Reviews
Jacques Anquetil remains one of the most outstanding figures in the history of cycling. He was the first man to the win the Tour de France five times; the first to win all three grand tours (the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and Giro dItalia); and the first to win both the Tour and Vuelta in the same year. The fame Anquetil received for his cycling success was matched only by the infamy of his complex and unconventional private life. As this engaging biography reveals, between his races Anquetil seduced his doctors wife and acted as stepfather to her children before asking his stepdaughter to bear him a child. He maintained a ménage à trios with his wife and stepdaughter for several years until the threesome fell apart, after whichin a bid to inspire jealousy in his two former lovers and encourage their returnhe seduced his stepsons ex-wife and had a child with her. Containing exclusive contributions from Anquetils family, friends, teammates, and rivals, this engaging biography unveils the astounding public and private lives of one of cyclings greatest legends.
Review
"An extraordinary biography." Times magazine
Review
"Paul Howard has not allowed Anquetil's astonishing love life to overwhelm his equally extraordinary career . . . an impeccably researched book." Independent on Sunday (Book of the Week)
Synopsis
The astonishing biography of French cycling star Jacques AnquetilContaining exclusive contributions from Anquetil's family, friends, teammates, and rivals, this biographyuntangles myth from reality and confirms that fact is definitely stranger than fiction. Jacques Anquetil was the first man to win the Tour de France five times; the first man to win all three grand toursthe Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a Espana; and the first man to win both the Tour and Vuelta in one year. However, the extraordinary story of Anquetil does not stop at his cycling achievements. He admitted to using drugs, offended fans by confessing that his only motivation for riding was financial, and infamously indulged his enthusiasm for the high life. He also seduced his doctor's wife, had a child with her daughter, and then sustained a menage a trois with his wife and stepdaughter for 12 years. This is a fascinating, candid look at a controversial andextraordinary man."
Synopsis
The astonishing biography of French cycling star Jacques Anquetil Containing exclusive contributions from Anquetil's family, friends, teammates, and rivals, this biography untangles myth from reality and confirms that fact is definitely stranger than fiction. Jacques Anquetil was the first man to win the Tour de France five times; the first man to win all three grand toursthe Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España; and the first man to win both the Tour and Vuelta in one year. However, the extraordinary story of Anquetil does not stop at his cycling achievements. He admitted to using drugs, offended fans by confessing that his only motivation for riding was financial, and infamously indulged his enthusiasm for the high life. He also seduced his doctor's wife, had a child with her daughter, and then sustained a ménage à trois with his wife and stepdaughter for 12 years. This is a fascinating, candid look at a controversial and extraordinary man.
About the Author
Paul Howard is a sports journalist and the author of Riding High, shortlisted for the National Sporting Club's Best New Sports Writer prize.