Bookies Blog

Mark Cavendish manages to get his stage win just before the sprinters take the back seat and the racers head for the hills. Yesterday saw a cracking finish to stage five as Cavendish was forced into an early move by Thor Hushovd and subsequently went on to win the stage.

But now we move on to stages six and seven, as the overall gradient steepens the sprinters will begin to take a back seat and the GC’s start to get serious. Stage seven will eliminate any early weaknesses as the riders cross the Massif Central, it should prove the first real endurance test and a warm up to the dreaded stage 15 climb.

Alejandro Valverde seems to be the favourite with a price of 7/2 at bluesq and 888sport or 4-1 for stage 6 of the race but he still lost a minute to Cadel Evans in Stage 4. Alejandro, however, is expected to start shining as they move on to competitive territory. Cadel Evan’s is favourite to win the overall competition at evens (general) which wont be a very good value bet.

Cunego has been on hot form this season with a stage win at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and a points win. He also won the one day Klaiska Primavera in Spain, not exactly a testament to his stamina (in Tour de France terms) but it shows he should have a strong backing for a stage seven win. To win overall Damiano is 9/1 at bluesq and 888sport.

Denis Menchov is a great choice, despite a mediocre start to 2008 this guy’s got the experience and an excellent form from last year with a yellow jersey and a stage win in the Vuelta a Espana and 2^nd place overall in the Volta a Catalunya. The bookies have him at 15/2 (Bluesq and 888sport).

For more Tour de France 2008 betting markets click here.