The Comeback

Greg LeMond, the True King of American Cycling, and a Legendary Tour de France

By: Daniel de Vise

Narrated by: Pete Cross

Length: 12 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

In July of 1986, Greg LeMond stunned the sporting world by becoming the first American to win the Tour de France, the world's pre-eminent bicycle race, defeating French cycling legend Bernard Hinault. Nine months later, LeMond lay in a hospital bed, his life in peril after a hunting accident, his career as a bicycle racer seemingly over. And yet, barely two years after this crisis, LeMond mounted a comeback.

In 1989, he once again won the Tour - by the almost impossibly narrow margin of eight seconds over another French legend, Laurent Fignon. It remains the closest Tour de France in history. The Comeback chronicles the life of this great American athlete, from his roots in Nevada and California to the heights of global fame.

With the kind of narrative drive that propels books like Moneyball and a fierce attention to detail, Daniel de Vise reveals the dramatic, ultra-competitive inner world of a sport rarely glimpsed up close, building a compelling case for LeMond as its great American hero.

©2018 Daniel de Vise (P)2018 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Best book you will read on on the recent 50 years of tours.

Love this book. One of the best books I've read or listen to on cycling. In depth on both of mine's career and lances courier great stuff for the fans.

Great content and story, but poorly read

I've been a cycling fan for my entire life, and have followed Greg Lemond's career since he was still in cycling, and even read "Slaying the Badger". This book definitely goes over some of the same material in that book, but also adds to it with a parallel story of Laurent Fignon, Greg's other cycling nemesis. Overall, it's a great "read" and well worth it if you're a cycling history fan, as it goes over the "Golden Age" of cycling and it's greats.

The one big critical review I have is with the reader, who didn't do his research with some of the french words, particularly "jaune", as in "Maillot Jaune". His pronunciation of it is horrendous, especially to those of us who love cycling and know how it's supposed to be said. The word is often used in describing the Tour de France's leader, so it's said A LOT, and unfortunately, this word, and other French syntax is done rather horribly. I wish he had done his research and asked someone how to say it, especially since it's a key word said almost every chapter.

Otherwise, a solid read and recommended.

Great, but Long in Areas

I loved everything up to the part of Lance Armstrong, which is highly traveled ground. I also don't know why the book centers so much on Laurent Figon, especially his death. A great story about one of the best and least known athletes, but editing out side paths could have helped.

Excellent book; wonderful reader!

This book was perfect for me. Hearing the story of LeMond & his rivals has made them so very human to me. I am very glad that the book was made; Thank you!

Thanks Mr. de Vise

I thought I would try Amazon Audible on a long drive to see family. "The Comeback" was the first title that showed up in my interests list. Wow! It has been a loooong time since I have been this captivated by a book! I first started watching The Tour de France when Greg Lemond won in 1986. I fell in love with the sport, the bikes, the grit of the riders...all of it. "The Comeback" is a beautiful reminder of what a true champion Greg Lemond is! This book tells the story so well and covers so much more than I thought! I couldn't wait to get back into my Jeep and listen! I loved it so much I am also going to buy the hardback version so I can actually read it again. Thank you Daniel de Vise, for reminding me of what a true champion Greg Lemond is! And thank you for capturing what a humble and grateful champion he is!

KG

Good book. Flawed reading.

Reader mispronounces "Giro d'italia" and "maillot jaune" and it gets irritating. Other than that a great listen to a great story.

Amazing and Loving it So far!

after being so disappointed with audio books and podcast this was amazing to listen to. I'm not finished little over halfway but the details of the story of Le Monde Fignon and Hinault in French cycling are riveting. Never heard a greater narrator or story. Thanks greatly for the book I'll be sad when it's over with. it's the only thing that I enjoy listening to on my one-hour commute. tired of listening to the news it's just a bunch of garbage nowadays

Great book

Was a great book for the cycling fan, the ending seem to drag on more about Lance than Greg. Understandably, but really wasn’t looking for a book about Lance.

Amazing story about the only American Tour de France champion, highly recommended.

Great book poor narration

Fantastic book, I only wish the narrator would have been familiar with the names of the races and cyclists. Every time he pronounced Giro as “gearow” (and many other non English names) I couldn’t help being frustrated as I struggled to understand what he was referring to.

Loved it

Loved it, not only the story of Great Lemond but also the story of cycling in the US and Europe.