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Tour de France set to start

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 02/07/2009

The 96th Tour de France starts in Monaco on Saturday when the 180 cyclists know they have over 2,000 miles and 21 gruelling stages ahead of them.

The return of seven-time winner Lance Armstrong after a four-year absence has added some spice to the much-anticipated event and the 37-year-old American has already been installed as one of the sports betting favourites to win the event.

Such a scenario seems unlikely though, particularly as Armstrong has gone on record to say his return to professional cycling was prompted by a desire to raise awareness of cancer, rather then to clinch an eighth success.

However, the cancer survivor may still be the man to beat over the seven mountain stages and a first team trial trial since 2005 in a race that takes in sections in Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and Italy as well as France.

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Last year's winner, Carlos Sastre, is not expected to retain his crown, and 2007 champion, Alberto Contador, appears to have a better chance of tasting success on July 26.

The 26-year-old Spaniard won last year's Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana and is regarded as among the best climbers in the world.

His career has been marred by doping allegations but he would appear to be the man to beat this year.

This year's Giro d'Italia winner, Dennis Menchov, is another potential challenger. The Russian finished fourth last year when he failed to win any stages.

Australian Cadel Evans, who has finished second in each of the last two years, cannot be discounted, although his best chance of success may well have been last year when Cantador did not take part. The Spaniard's team, Astana, was not invited to the event.

Andy Schleck is a good outside bet as the 24-year-old is in good form having been victorious at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in April, the biggest win of his embryonic career.

Unfortunately drugs continue to cast a shadow over the Tour de France with Tom Boonen and Alejandro Valverde not being allowed to participate this year.

Belgian sprinter and 2007 Green Jersey winner Boonen has not been allowed to take part after testing positive for cocaine while Caisse d'Espargne rider Valverde was banned from competing in Italy last month by the Italian Olympic Committee.

As the route of this year's Tour passes through Italy on stage 16, Valverde will not be at the race start on Saturday.

It looks set to be an open Tour this year with no overwhelming favourite to eventually finish first in just over three weeks' time.

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