Much to enjoy about Tour de France betting

Each year, as the event generates more interest and media exposure, Tour de France betting becomes more enticing. As the world's most gruelling and prestigious cycle race, le Tour has long attracted those aiming to make money on the back of their favourites for the event through placing Tour de France bets.

Long life for Tour de France bets

Over the 21 stages and 23 days, the race throws up more drama than almost any other sporting event in the world.

Controversy is rarely absent from the race these days, adding an extra dimension to Tour de France bets.

Those with what appear to be losing Tour de France bets one day can often find their man right back in the thick of things for a multitude of reasons.

Crashes, protests, mechanical problems and suspensions can all have a big effect on the race and the odds, as last year's tour showed.

Subject of many Tour de France bets before the off, Alexandre Vinokourov and his Anasta team found themselves out of the race, while Michael Rasmussen was removed by his own team whilst wearing the fabled yellow jersey.

The 2007 race then threw up one of the closest finishes in recent years, with just 31 seconds separating the top three when Alberto Contador crossed the line to take the title.

Plenty of value in Tour de France odds

So much can happen between the start in Brest on July 5 to the traditional destination in Paris 22 days later that there is sure to be excellent value again in Tour de France odds.

Cadel Evans and Alejandro Valverde look sure to attract the most Tour de France bets in the lead up to the event, but outside the big two the field looks wide open.

And those Tour de France odds will change day by day as riders come to the fore, possibly to drop away once again - such is the nature of the event.

Contador himself has picked out last year's runner-up Evans as a potential winner, but there are no shortage of potential champions in the field.

Rabobank rider Denis Menchov was fifth in 2006, while Carlos Sastre of Team CSC is likely to attract plenty of Tour de France betting interest on the strength of his fourth-place finish last year.

Haimar Zubeldia was just one place behind Sastre, while Mauricio Soler of Barloworld will be available at enticing Tour de France odds following his King of the Mountains victory last year.