Possibly the most anticipated start to a Tour in the past decade, the Grand Depart in Fromentine, on the west coast of the country, is a time trial and not the traditional shorter prologue. All eyes will be on Lance Armstrong to see if the dominance he has shown in recent Tour time trials will continue and kickstart his campaign for a seventh Tour victory. He'll be challenged on the flat, 19 kilometre parcours by in-orm riders such as Michael Rogers, who is looking good after a successful Tour de Suisse, and Santiago Botero, whose class shined through at the Tour of Romandy. Fabian Cancellara, last year's surprise prologue winner, may have another surprise in store, and look to Brad McGee to throw up a threat; he's a perennial challenger for prologue honours - the extra distance shouldn't bother him too much, but his GC ambitions may control his push for opening day honours a little.
-
The master and mentor – Romain Bardet prepares for his Grand Tour farewell at the Giro d'Italia
'Really try to experience everything you do and grab every opportunity that comes along' French rider tells his Picnic PostNL teammates -
La Vuelta Femenina favourites - Who can beat Demi Vollering in first Grand Tour of 2025?
FDJ-Suez are formidable but face competition from outside favourites Pauline-Ferrand-Prévot, Mavi Garcia and more -
Justin Peck and Jen Tavé win muddy Ukiah Mendo Gravel Epic in fourth round of Grasshopper Adventure Series
Tavé rode solo for most of the 76-mile contest to step up from second place finish last year -
'It's a bit of an obsession to reach 100 wins' - Alexander Kristoff to pass the baton to younger brother Felix Ørn-Kristoff and retire at close of 2025 season
Norwegian's 19-year-old sibling a stage winner in Tour de Bretagne this week
