Tour de France Countdown: 7 Days

It's Valverde . . . er no . . . it's Evans . . . uh nooooo . . . . it's . . . it's . . . Sastre?

We are now seven days from the Tour de France. Most of the top contenders are at elevation, finishing their preparation for the grande boucle, and anxiously awaiting the start line in Brest on July 5th. Below are four random pre-race observations with only one week to go.

1. The main favorites will have no excuses for their form

Evans, Valverde, Menchov, Cunego, Zubeldia, and Sastre all have managed to stay upright and out of harm for their preparations, and so each should come to the line in Breast in their best possible form. Look for very nervous racing over the first few stages, as each team leader attempts to assert their team's dominance on the race.

2. The second tier of contenders are still extremely talented

From the two Schlecks at CSC to Stijn Devolder of Quick Step, Vladamir Efimkin of the French AG2R team, and Kim Kirchin of team Columbia, the second level GC contenders are still serious threats if they come into the Tour on top form. Look for Devolder and Efimkin to surprise in the high mountains, and for Schleck as a key player amongst the big players as he looks to launch team leader Sastre. Kirchin is always steady in the Tour, and his recent victory at the Fleche Wallonne in April and the time trial championhip in Luxembourge this past week will have him arriving at the Tour with supreme confidence. EuroPeloton predicts a gritty ride from Kirchin, and a top ten placing overall.

3. The young rider competition should be exciting

Andy Schleck. Mauricio Soler of Barloworld. Roman Kreuzinger, recent winner of the Tour de Swiss. Thomas Lovkwist. Gerolsteiner's Markus Fothen. Liquigas's Vincenco Nibali. All will be on hand to contend for the mallot blanc, but some in the group will be contending for other jerseys as well. Andy Schleck and Soler likely will be involved in the KOM title as well, along with one other young rider, Riccardo Ricco. "The Cobra" came up just short of his goal of the overall title at the Giro, but he rode well (despite an enormous ego) and showed that he is a legit stage race threat for the future. It's looking like Ricco is primed for a run at the KOM title, and probably won't look to ride high on the GC or young rider competition.

4. The green jersey conpetition is wide open too

With Petacchi out of this year's Tour, the veteran Erik Zabel will enjoy team leadership duties once again. Ands why can't the old German win the green jersey again? Other veterans will be there to contest the green jersey, amongst them Thor Hushovd, Robbie McEwen and Oscar Freire, but none of them seem that much better than Zabel when considering their chances for the points title. Each would love a green jersey in Tom Boonen's absence, and only Freire seems questionable to finish the grand tour, as he prepares for another run at the world championship. It should be an exciting competition, with a surprise winner. Stuey O'Grady has been quiet thus far, but is a capable, sturdy rider who has won a green jersey in the past. Watch out for the understimated Aussie to take the title.

All Tour d eFrance, all the time over the next week as we inch ever closer to the biggest bicycle race in the world.