Monaco - The first stage of the 2009 Tour de France got
underway Saturday in Monaco as Dutch rider Kenny van Hummel rolled
down the starting ramp.
Prince Albert II of Monaco gave the official start to the race,
but most of the attention was focused on seven-time Tour winner Lance
Armstrong.
The 37-year-old Texas native is making a comeback to the Tour
after a retirement from cycling of more than three years and the
15.5km individual time trial through the streets of Monaco appears
tailor-made for him.
Most observers agree that the Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara is the
man to beat Saturday, and the two-time world time-trial champion has
also declared himself the favourite to win the first stage.
'For the time trial, my confidence is at its maximum,' the
28-year-old Team Saxo Bank rider said. 'My rivals will want to get
out their heavy winter coats for when I pass them. It will be hard to
beat Cancellara.'
But Armstrong said that the course suited him to a tee.
'It's a good course for me, hard and technical,' he told the daily
L'Equipe. 'I lived here. I know the streets like the back of my
hand.'
Much of the interest in the stage will be focused on a race within
the race, between Armstrong and Astana teammate Alberto Contador.
Contador, who won the race in 2007, is wearing the team leader's
number, and has been declared the leader by team manager Johan
Bruyneel.
Armstrong has always declared his willingness to work for
Contador, but only if the 26-year-old Spaniard proves himself to be
the stronger rider.
Either man could use the results of Saturday's stage to make an
argument as to who will lead the Astana team through the grueling
three weeks of the Tour de France.
The Tour ends July 26 in Paris.
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