The 96th annual Tour De France starts this Saturday (4th of July) and the main buzz around this year’s competition is the return of Lance Armstrong (7 times champion) from retirement to compete, once again, in the most gruelling of cycling races. The Tour De France is competed over 22 days and reaches its punishing end in Paris on the 26 of July.

During that time, the riders will have had to endure a staggering 21 meetings (races) and it is estimated that each competitor will burn an average of 7,000 calories per day. While all eyes will be on Armstrong as he battles to win overall the coveted ‘Yellow Jersey’ for an incredible eighth time, we also have a British interest in Mark Cavendish as he competes to win the ‘Green Jersey’, worn by the best sprinter of The Tour.

The Tour is not just an individual race but as many Tour De France 2009 betting fans are aware, The Tour is very much a team race as well, however, it is the individual battles that will capture the most headlines in the up-an-coming weeks. Below we have highlighted the top individual racers who have the best chance of winning the Tour De France 2009.

To Win The Tour De France 2009 Betting Odds

Alberto Contador	10/11	1	1	22/19	10/11	17/20	10/11	17/20	19/20	1
Lance Armstrong	3	4	5	33/5	9/2	9/2	5	4	7/2	11/2
Andy Schleck	13/2	7	7	36/5	13/2	7	7	13/2	7	6
Cadel Evans	10	8	9	12	9	11	8	13/2	11	15/2
Denis Menchov	12	14	14	27/2	14	9	14	12	14	14
Carlos Sastre	20	16	20	25	16	16	16	18	18	14
Levi Leipheimer	33	33	20	49	25	25	25	33	33	25
Mark Cavendish	1500			999	500		300	1500	1500	300