Tips for Tour Glory

YELLOW JERSEY

With Alberto Contador absent, as well as the 2007 runner-up Levi Leipheimer, it is for last year's second finisher Cadel Evans of Australia to step up, along with the Spaniard Alejandro Valverde, or perhaps the brash Italian Riccardo Riccò, riding the Tour for the first time.

GREEN JERSEY

Last year's winner Tom Boonen has been refused entry due to a little contretemps with cocaine, and the 'Gentleman Sprinter' Alessandro Petacchi is banned, while the top Italian Daniele Bennati is absent. That gives the veteran Australian Robbie McEwen a chance of a fourth points title.

POLKA-DOT JERSEY

The mountains are always unpredictable, always targeted by the French, but Riccò will start as favorite to emulate his hero, the late Marco Pantani, 'but without the drugs problems', while the Luxembourgeois Frank Schleck will also be hotly favored.

BRITISH HOPES

With Bradley Wiggins and Geraint Thomas Beijing-bound, Millar will look to finish his sixth Tour with a stage win, while Mark Cavendish will aim to take at least one sprint victory. With the Giro d'Italia under his belt, Cav is looking at racing the first 10 days before leaving to focus on the Games.