This will be an interesting Tour de France to say the least. For one thing it will be the last time Lance Armstrong races the world’s premier race. It will also be interesting to see how Team Astana with Alberto Contador performs against Lance’s Team Radio Shack.
Fabian Cancellara is the favorite to win today’s Prologue time trial.
Refer to brief story below. Source: Associated Press
Photography: Reuters
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – The 97th Tour de France has started with 197 riders setting off one-by-one for the time trial in Rotterdam.
Spanish newcomer Iban Mayoz started first in the 5.5-mile race against the clock in the Dutch port city under drizzly weather.
As reigning Tour champion, Spain’s Alberto Contador is set to ride last, just after Swiss time-trial specialist Fabian Cancellara and seven-time champ Lance Armstrong. The Texan has said it’s his last Tour.
Before the start, Cervelo TestTeam said its rider Xavier Florencio was suspended from competing for using a substance that contained the banned stimulant Ephedrine.
The three-week race takes riders through Belgium, across northern France, into the Alps and the Pyrenees before the July 25 finish in Paris.
