Tour de France

**Dodge** · 04/07/2009, 10:41 AM

JC_GUFC tipped me off to the 12/1 that was available for Alberto Contador winning today's 1st stage in the tour de france

Thats al l gone but you might find 10/1 available. I still think thats stonking value

He can be backed around the 2.6 mark on betfair for a top three finish

In the overall markets I hvae Contador backed a while back at 11/8. he's generally evens everywhere. Barring a bad accident, he'll definitely win

I've backed Oscar Freire for the Green jersey at just under 4/1 on betfair. I don't think Cavendish has the legs to last until paris, but he's generally evens with bookies.

I think Gesink will win the white jersey 9for young riders) and he's available at 5s everywhere. However I've backed him at 12/1 to finish in the top 6

**Dodge** · 04/07/2009, 5:45 PM

Contador finished 2nd, so I hope you all backed him in the place market

**Mr A** · 04/07/2009, 6:24 PM

D'oh!

**Dodge** · 04/07/2009, 11:45 PM

Oh and I've just backed Cancellra to win at 100/1 after I read a few pros like Kelly tipped him to win it all.

Looking at the profile the winner is more likely to bea great alrounder than a climber of time trialist

**JC_GUFC** · 13/07/2009, 2:58 PM

Stage 10 - Tuesday @ 11:40

Back Thor Hushovd e/w @ 12/1 with Betfred.

It's Bastille Day and there's a good chance of a breakaway of some French riders but trying to pick out who it is is very difficult - obvious choice is Sylvain Chavanel but 25s isn't much value. Nicolas Vogondy offers much better value at 66s.
That said the stage is pretty flat and with Mark Cavendish having lost the green jersey (points classification) to Thor Hushovd he'll be keen to turn it into a sprint finish so he can pick up more points.
Hushovd will obviously be keenly contesting the sprint to keep his lead and you'll win more if Hushovd places if you back him e/w than you would if you backed Cavendish to win.
Also if 1 or 2 of the breakaway do manage to stay away you've still got a chance with Hushovd!

GET ON

**Dodge** · 13/07/2009, 3:22 PM

Defo looks like a day for the sprinters. Only small hills and nothing for the last half of the race, and Ag2r will be doing everything to keep the maillot jeune. ( I was reading that the last 2 days in yellow have secured funding for the entire year..)

Remains to be seen if Cav has the legs after the Pyrenees. Heard a short interview with him last night and he seemed his usual bullish self and if Columbia really want the stage, its his to lose. I wouldn't back him at these prices though

Teams that haven't had any air time last week will now be under pressure to produce, so I expect the attacks to be plentiful.

**JC_GUFC** · 15/07/2009, 12:56 PM

Didn't realise there was already a thread on the Tour Dodge!

These "transitional stages" between Pyrenees and Alps are pretty boring - Stage 13 on Friday will be the next interesting one.

I couldn't believe the gamble on Cancellara - loads of people backing him - I suppose looking at the fact he won the Tour of Switzerland - but they managed to organise that race without climbing any mountain of note!

That would be like the Tour of Ireland riding on roads with no potholes!

**Dodge** · 15/07/2009, 1:02 PM

I layed off on Cancellara at 60, he reached 40 FFS

I don't mind these stages as it gives a chance for breakaways but it looks like Ag2R are controlling things well and making sure they keep yellow.

Another flat finish today. Can anyone beat Cav?