Evans: Tour favourite

The 2008 Tour de France is gearing up to be one of the most tightly contested in years as a host of world-class cyclists attempt to topple race favourite Cadel Evans.

The Australian will start the race's 95th edition this Saturday as the favourite following his runner-up place last year.

Contenders

Cadel Evans (Australia) - Silence-Lotto

Evans has had a steady rise up the Tour's general classification, and after agonisingly missing out on the big prize to Alberto Contador of Spain by 23 seconds, he will be determined to erase the heartache this time out.

This season the former mountain bike champion from Northern Territory has had promising results and his bid is buoyed by the fact his Silence team is, with the exception of sprinter Robbie McEwen, committed to making him Australia's first Tour champion.

Alejandro Valverde (Spain) - Caisse d'Epargne

The Spanish cyclist has already dominated Evans in some prestigious races this year and the "Green Bullet" is expected to go close on Tout.

The 28-year-old finished sixth overall on the Tour last year, and after recently beating Evans in the 31km race against the clock at the Dauphine Libre stage, Valverde has the credentials to outgun the Australian.

Carlos Sastre (Spain) - CSC

Another Spaniard capable of Tour glory is CSC's 33-year-old Sastre. The Madrid-born climbing specialist is a former podium finisher who will spearhead CSC's yellow jersey bid.

With five top-10 places since 2002, and with third and fourth-placed finishes in 2006 and 2007 respectively, it would be foolish to discount Sastre.

Denis Menchov (Russia) - Rabobank

After a torrid Tour last season, the two-time Tour of Spain winner will be determined to bounce back with an improved display this time out.

Once his Rabobank team-mate Michael Rasmussen took the 2007 race lead, Menchov was reduced to a supporting role, rather than a challenging one.

A question mark seems to forever hover over Menchov's yellow jersey credentials, however the reigning Tour of Spain champion is a respected time trialler, and is likely to be one of the main protagonists in the mountains.

Andy Schleck (Luxembourg) - CSC

The younger of the Schleck brothers in regarded as having more potential to be a Tour winner than his older brother Frank.

Andy is considered a future winner of the Tour thanks to his youth, climbing prowess and confident attitude while racing in the company of more established stage race riders, including his older brother Frank.

Damiano Cunego (Italy) - Lambre

A former winner of the Giro d'Italia, the "little prince" who rides for Lampre is a huge talent in stage racing, especially in the mountains.

However, it is widely viewed that the demands of the Tour, where the pace is faster and more frenetic than in the Giro, are simply too much for the flashy Italian.