The worlds most grueling bicycle race the Tour De France is under way for the 96th time with Cadel Evans looking to improve on his second place finishes in 2007 and 2008 to become the first Australian to win the coveted title. Evans led for much of the 3,500km last year and to fall back in the last few stages. It was a great disappointment for the man who had started the race as favourite but many people are predicting that Cadel at 32 years old is at the peak of physical fitness and endurance and could just win at his fifth attempt.
Of course Evans has a lot of other competition to consider. Last years winner Carlos Sastre is bound to be up at the front, but there is also the Lance Armstrong factor to be aware of.
There will be something of a circus surrounding the seven times winner that will knock a lot of riders concentration. You would have to think that Armstrong who has been out of the sport for sometime and who has spent much of his comeback recovering from a broken collar bone will have little chance of just rocking up and winning this one. In fact Armstrong himself doesn’t expect to challenge and is just hoping to do a respectable job and bring some good publicity to his Livestrong cancer campaign. Despite this Sportsbet are paying out $5.50 and Lance Armstrong is second favourite to win his eighth Tour De France. Put you money elsewhere in my opinion.
The one thing that Armstrong will be able to do is guide team mate, 26 year old Spaniard and hot $2.00 favourite, Alberto Contador through every stage, giving him advice that only a seven time winner could give.
Contador is considered the best rider of his generation, he already has the Spanish time trial championships title under his belt and with Lance Armstrong as the Contador right hand man you can see why he is the favourite. Maybe I am being a little bias, but I think that Cadel Evans has the skill, the drive and the heart to take this one. Go to Sportsbet now and sign up to recieve a $50 free bet on Evans making history, at $7.00 it could be a nice little earner.
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