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  • Tour de Force

  • My History-Making Tour de France
  • By: Mark Cavendish
  • Narrated by: Mark Cavendish
  • Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (225 ratings)
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Tour de Force cover art

Tour de Force

By: Mark Cavendish
Narrated by: Mark Cavendish
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

'I pulled off my glasses and wiped my eyes. "That was perhaps the last race of my career...."'

Deep down, Mark Cavendish thought he was finished. After illness, setbacks and clinical depression, the once fastest man in the world had been written off by most. And at the age of 36, even he believed his explosive cycling career would fade out with a whimper. The Manxman hadn't won a single Grand Tour stage in Italy, Spain or France since 2016.

But then came his incredible resurrection at the 2021 Tour de France. Included on the Deceuninck Quick-Step team at the very last minute, only after Sam Bennett suffered an injury, Mark set about rewriting history. He claimed back the green jersey he first wore in 2011, and his four stage victories finally saw him matching Belgian legend Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 Tour de France stage wins. Cycling greats are never content, and Cav's dogged determination and inner strength had earned him the record that few believed he could ever achieve. This is his own intimate account of that race, right from the saddle of the miracle tour.

©2021 Mark Cavendish (P)2021 Penguin Audio

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What listeners say about Tour de Force

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Lacking Substance

There just isn't a lot of substance to this audiobook. It basically just recounts the 2021 Le Tour from the perspective of Mark Cavendish - but in doing so it doesn't add any special insight or previously unknown information.

I had thought Cavendish would use the book to talk about his mental health struggles and to provide inspiration - but in truth he comes across as quite smug and the book is more of a "told you so" to his doubters after his long awaited return to winning form, I think that is a real shame and a missed opportunity.

Instead of giving insight into his training, diet, mindset etc. Cavendish spends more time listing things that seem to stress him out him needlessly. That comes across as a bit childish. This is an autobiography one might pen in their mid-twenties not after the introspection gained by being in their late thirties with a career of unparalleled success and crushing lows whilst managing a family life and growing as a human.

The book being narrated by the man himself is a major plus point...but sometimes his style is a little bit cringey. This is definitely a book for his fans (of which I am one) but not really that will give much value to fans of the sport in general. The last chapter left a nasty taste in my mouth - he a seems outraged that a sprinter with lesser palmeres than he has would dare to race against him and thus prevent him from winning...he actually said he was "perplexed". I mean what's that about? He didn't win so he has to play the victim? He implies that others were not trying to win themselves but just stop him. Come on Mark, don't disrespect yourself like that, don't disrespect other cyclists like that. They were there to compete not impede you.

It's a solid 2/5 if your are a fan of Cavendish but a 0/5 in all other circumstances. A bit of a let down and I feel cheapened as a fan, it's made me think hard about his self-belief being more about narcissism and entitlement than confidence in his preternatural abilities.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Cuddle and cry feast

Started off quite good but just lost its way, I got sick of hearing about him crying and cuddling everyone. Sadly he came across as a bit of a narcissist.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible and passionate account of the most exciting comeback in cycling.

I was thrilled that Mark himself narrated this. Nobody else could convey the emotion of what went into what turned out to be an incredible Tour for Mark and his team.
Mark’s account brought back the rollercoaster of emotions I felt watching him win his first stage in 2021, fighting to hold back tears as he unleashed himself back where he belongs.
Absolutely fantastic, I enjoyed every paragraph.
Chapeau Mark.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Cav delivers…

Very good delivery by Mr. Cavendish that made for a very authentic account that cuts through all of the ignorant online BS from the ‘expervs’, who know it all despite never having raced, let alone do it to pay the mortgage. A great listen and loved the diarised, stage by stage accounts 👌👍

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

The story

very well narrated, with some great detail but felt I learnt very little more about him as a person or the sport.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Narration was brilliant

Loved hearing the excitement in Marks voice when he talks about the sport he loves. Highly recommend if you’re a cycling fan

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

great insight

love the enthusiasm from cav about the whole Circus that is the tour de France..a great listen

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing story

Great to hear such a super comeback story, from a great cycling hero. Well put together and paced.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Decent insight

Interesting insights into Cav and his experience, good that it’s in his own words and voice.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

Well written story of a top flight athletes’ desire to win. I’m new to cycling, but this guy transcends this single sport.

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