A is for Alpe. One of cycling’s mythical climbs.

B is for Belgium. Home of the classics.

C is for Coppi. Il Campionissimo.

D is for Disc. On their way soon.

E is for échappé. French for breakaway.

F is for Fignon. He won the Tour twice, but is famous for losing it once by a few seconds.

G is for gears. That help riders go fast.

H is for Hinault. The Badger or le Blaireau in French.

I is for Indurain. Big Spaniard, big lungs, big legs.

J is Jacques Anquetil. Le Maitre.

K is for Kassien. Cobbles in Flemish.

L is for lead out. The train that gets sprinters to the line.

M is for Musette. A riders feed bag.

N is for neutralized zone. The bit before the race begins.

O is for Orica. Australian men’s and women’s pro teams.

P is for Peloton. A big bunch of riders.

Q is for QOM. The first women to the top.

R is for Ronde. A race with tough cobbled climbs.

S is for Sprinter. The quickest in the pack.

T is for Time Trial. Against the clock.

U is for up. When the climbers come out to play.

V is for Ventoux. The giant of Provence.

X is for Xavier Tondo. Taken too early from us.

Y is for Yellow. The leader’s jersey.

Z was a team. Who had Lemond and Millar amongst others on their books.