But it's not all about cycle racing, the Tour has many facets that touch individuals in many different ways. From the man and his dog roadside to the podium girls at the finish line, whether involved for fleeting seconds or the full 21 stages, the tour evokes admiration and emotion from all who experience it.

This year will be the first year that The Outdoor Life Network covers the Tour for US audiences. For them and all the broadcast crews in the zone technique the days are long, tiring and sometimes very muddy. Having said that the zone technique is one of the most friendly and co-operative environments one could ever find. Knowledge, equipment, expertise, tape stock and the odd glass of wine are shared amongst strangers who rapidly become good friends.This is the story of OLNs trip around France, enjoy the pictures, if you know any of the crew send them an e-mail or give them a call because around week 2 they will be feeling the moral sapping, ZT famed 'Tour Pinch'!!!

Public mail adress to the crew is: letour@madeinvideo.com

Listed below are all of the stages on this Le Tour 2001. Each time we complete a stage the previous days pictures will be uploaded to the site (time allowing!) You will then be able to view the pictures by clicking the stages hi-lighted in blue, to get back to this page click home at any time.

Enjoy the site, roll on Paris and Vive la Tour!!!