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A multi-millionaire octogenarian widow and her two children who have kept tight control of the Tour de France despite numerous hostile takeover bids, are the focus of a new book. The world's most famous cycling event generates an estimated $160 million New Zealand dollars a year, with a fifth being paid out in dividends for the Amaury family. Business journalist Alex Duff investigates the family in his book Le Fric or The Money: Family, Power and Money: The Business of the Tour de France. In it he argues that various cycling teams over the years have considered rebellions and breakaways to wrest some control and more of the money. But ultimately, they need the race more than the Amaury family needs them. Kathryn discusses with Alex Duff.
