BIKE HERO'S SECOND LANCE.LANCE ARMSTRONG Lance Armstrong (born Lance Edward Gunderson on September 18, 1971) is a retired American professional road racing cyclist. He won the Tour de France—cycling's most prestigious race—seven consecutive times, from 1999 to 2005. , who came out of retirement earlier this year, will attempt to win an eighth Tour de France title when cycling's show piece event gets underway today. The America, left, is the 5-1 second favourite at Betdaq to win back his title and an inviting 17-20 at Sportingbet for a top-three finish. Armstrong's Astana team-mate Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Velasco (born 6 December 1982 in Madrid, Spain) is a professional road bicycle racer for UCI ProTeam Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team and winner of the 2007 Tour de France. While he competes for the overall titles, he is considered a climbing specialist. , winner of the Tour de France on his last appearance in it in 2007 heads the betting at 11-10 with Jaxx.com. Andy Schleck Andy Schleck (born June 10, 1985) is a Luxembourgian professional road bicycle racer who, since 2005, has been riding for the Team CSC outfit in the UCI ProTour race series. Andy is the younger brother of Fränk Schleck, whom he rides alongside at Team CSC. comes next at 7-1 with Boylesports followed by Cadel Evans Cadel Evans (born 14 February 1977, in Katherine, Northern Territory) is an Australian professional cyclist. Evans finished second in the 2007 Tour de France. Prior to turning to road cycling in 2001, Evans was a champion mountain biker, riding for the Volvo-Cannondale MTB team, at 10-1 (Blue Square) then it's 16-1 bar the rest. Britain's Mark Cavendish is the oddson 10-11 favourite to continue his superb year by winning the sprinter's Green Jersey. Paddy Power will refund all bets on Armstrong if the returning hero fails a drugs test in this year's race. Spokesman Darren Haines said: "Lance winning an eighth Tour De France would be the second greatest achievement by an Armstrong after the moon landing so it would be a travesty for cycling and Armstrong himself were he to add to the long list of failed drugs tests in the sport. "His backers would also be hard done by to see their punts suffer a puncture having gambled in good faith." With Armstrong and Contador riding for the same Astana team they are just 4-9 to top the team classification come the end of the race. David Moncoutie is 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power to be crowned King of the Mountains ahead Contador at 5-1. |
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