presents
	The BikeStyle Tour de France

About Us and Our Trips

Lawrie Cranley

Bikestyle Promotions is a company founded by Lawrie (myself) and my wife Natalie. I am 41 years old and have been a cyclist for 28 years. I have been organising trips to France and the Tour de France since 1996. We first travelled to Europe to see the Tour de France in 1983. We love cycling, that is why we do it.

Our trips are designed to give quality, value for money cycling holidays with the emphasis on cycling while not forgetting we're in one of the most beautiful countries on earth. However non cycling partners are catered for with bus trips to strategic locations along the course and visits to tourist spots while the cyclists do what cyclists do!

You will be able to ride along quiet scenic roads, through beautiful villages, up famous climbs where the view is spectacular, down challenging descents and then watch and see how the pros do it. The food and wine of France needs no introduction. The people of rural France are warm and friendly. We like to ensure our travellers get a complete picture of Europe from cycling to tourism and culture... not to forget the shopping and eating!

Lawrie Cranley,
Bikestyle Pty Ltd
8 Daniel Place, Newmarket, 4051
Queensland, Australia
Ph 61 (0)7 33524120
Fax 61 (0)7 33524270

Australian rider Neil Stephens will provide the perspective of a Tour stage winner

Neil Stephens

Australian cyclist Neil Stephens had a brilliant 14-year career whose highlights include winning a stage of the 1997 Tour de France and being one of only a dozen riders ever to complete the big three tours of France, Spain and Italy in the one season.

In recent years Stephens has become a mentor for younger Australian cyclists. "He's the only one who kept my morale up when I first started racing professionally," said Henk Vogels.

It was Stephens' unselfish dedication to his team mates and to the sport of cycling in Australia that earned him the honour of the Order of Australia in 1996.

Neil's career

Born: October 1, 1963, in Canberra. Now lives Guipuzkoa, Spain, with his Spanish-born wife Amaya and daughter Maialen.

1984: Raced overseas for the first time joining the English ANC team.
1985: Raced in Australia.
1986: Raced in Italy.
1987: Won two stages of the British Milk Race. Held the indoor hour record for six months.
1988: Fractured his leg in a crash in Milan San Remo World Cup race and then crashed in Tour of Belgium and broke his collar bone. Spent most of the season off the bike with injury.
1989-91: Rode for Spanish teams Cajarural, Artiach and in 1991 for Parternina when he won three races in Portugal.
1992: Joined the Spanish ONCE team. First on stage 5 of Tour of Mallorca (Spain) Fourth on stage 15 of the Tour of Italy. Finished 74th in the Tour de France.
1993: First overall in the Villafranca de Ordizia (Spain). First on stage 4 of the Bicicleta Vasca (Spain). Second overall Tour of Mallorca (Spain).
1994: First overall in the Villafranca de Ordizia (Spain). Second on stage 14 and finished 52nd in the Tour de France.
1995: First overall in the Villafranca de Ordizia (Spain). First overall
and two stage wins in the Abom-Mt Buller Summer Tour (Australia). Second on stage 3 and finished 60th in the Tour de France. First overall in the Skilled Engineering Bay Series (Australia).
1996: First overall in the Tour of Andalucia (Spain). First in stage 5A of the Tour of the Basque Country (Spain). Represented Australia at the Atlanta Olympics. Awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to the sport of cycling. Finished 49th in the Tour de France.
1997: Joined French professional team Festina. First in stage 17 Fribourg - Colmar where he crossed the line rocking his arms in a cradling motion to dedicate the win to his newborn daughter and finished 54th in the Tour de France.
1998: Represented Australia at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games. Two stage wins and second overall in the Tour of Tasmania. Fourth overall in the Prutour of Britain.

Tour de France record: Took part seven times, one stage victory

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