Following the retirement of Lance Armstrong in 2006 there was an opening for another rider to come through and stamp his authority on the Tour de France. Alberto Contador stepped forward to fill the void and record his first Tour victory in a year when drug scandals were rife, with Michael Rasmussen being sent home and the entire Astana team being disqualified. 2008 was all about the 'Manx Missile', Mark Cavendish, who emerged as one of the new stars of the Tour after recording four stage wins. 2009 was a good year for another British rider, Bradley Wiggins, who by finishing 4th became the highest placed Briton ever in the General Classification. Meanwhile, Contador triumphed on the Ventoux to guarantee his second Yellow Jersey while Cavendish enhanced his reputation as a world-class sprinter as he recorded six stage wins.
Originally released by Philips Classics on VHS and Laserdisc in 1991, the 13-part Mozart on Tour series chronicles the journeys of the child, adolescent and adult Mozart across Europe, in what was ultimately to prove a futile pursuit of fame and fortune. Each episode is centred on a different European city and combines travelogue-style narration with musical excerpts and period re-enactment.
In the 18th Century well-bred English gentlemen would undertake a Grand Tour of the Continent for refinement - as well as for drinking, gambling and sexual adventures - before assuming their place in society. Now, Brian Sewell follows in the footsteps of those young aristocrats through Italy, exploring the art and architecture, manners and mores that shaped European civilisation. His journey takes him through Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples, Siena and Milan, with plenty of stops along the way. More than a mere travelogue, this fascinating series showcases the country's dazzling cathedrals, palazzos, paintings and sculptures while also giving insight into the travels and travails of tourists past.