Alberto Contador is the hot favourite to win the 2011 Tour de France although there is strong support for leading British rider Bradley Wiggins.
Alberto Contador is a top priced 8-11 favourite with Coral bookmakers to make it three Tour de France wins in a row, and four in total, as he prepares for cycling's ultimate test that gets underway on Saturday. Last years runner up, Andy Schleck, is the 15-8 second favourite.
Coral spokesman Gary Burton told Bettingpro:
"Although Contador has proved the best rider for the past two years, it was a close affair last year and we think Schleck and co will make it difficult and we are happy to be top price."
Britain's Bradley Wiggins is a 25-1 chance with the Essex based bookies to improve two places on his third place finish of two years ago.
Burton added, "Wiggins has been in good form so far this year, and his recent win in the Dauphine gives him a huge chance of a top three finish."
Wiggins has proved popular at 14-1 in the betting without the favourite too.
TOUR DE FRANCE - Outright
8-11 A Contador, 15-8 A Schleck, 22-1 I Basso, F Schleck, 25-1 C Evans, R Gesink, B Wiggins, 33-1 S Sanchez, 50-1 C Horner, J van den Broeck, 66-1 J Brajkovic, 80-1 A Vinokourov, 100-1 Bar
Betting without Contador
4-7 A Schleck, 9-1 I Basso, F Schleck, 14-1 C Evans, R Gesink, B Wiggins, 16-1 S Sanchez, 22-1 C Horner, J van den Broeck, 33-1 J Brajkovic, 40-1 A Vinokourov, 50-1 Bar
Top 3 Finish
1-6 A Contador, 1-3 A Schleck, 7-2 C Evans, R Gesink, 4-1 I Basso, F Schleck, 5-1 S Sanchez, B Wiggins, 8-1 J van den Broeck, C Horner, 12-1 J Brajkovic, 16-1 L Leipheimer, A Vinokourov, 20-1 Bar
Green Jersey
5-4 M Cavendish, 4-1 A Petacchi, 6-1 T Hushovd, 7-1 P Gilbert, 10-1 J Joaquin Rojas, 14-1 T Farrar, 16-1 A Griepel, E Boasson Hagen, 25-1 T Boonen, 33-1 M Goss, B Swift, 50-1 Bar
King of the Mountains
11-4 A Contador, 9-2 A Schleck, 8-1 D Cunego, D Moncoutie, 10-1 A Chartreau,
14-1 T Voeckler, 16-1 R Gesink, J Pineau, 20-1 S Chavanel, C Kern, A Vinokourov, 25-1 I Basso, J Gadret, F Schleck, S Sanchez, 33-1 J van den Broeck, 40-1 V Kiryienka, E Martinez, 50-1 Bar
