The first Tour began in 1903. The 100th begins Saturday June 29th and continues through Sunday July 21th 2013 and begins in Corsica. There will be 21 stages and riders will cycle 3,404 kilometers (2,110 miles).
While Lance Armstrong (stripped of 7 wins due to doping) made some headlines with his statement that no one can win the Tour without doping, the riders should be center stage. But with the Texan speaking up might get some to wonder whether the race is clean:
Cycling officials say they have one of the most rigorous anti-doping programs in professional sports, including a biological passport system that monitors changes in riders’ blood and a whereabouts system to keep tabs on riders both in season and out.
Chris Froome, the 28-year old leader of team sky, is expected to be the man to beat.
According to the New York Times:
But other top riders are looking to upend the Contador-Froome narrative, including Cadel Evans of BMC Racing, the Australian who won in 2011; his teammate van Garderen, who finished fifth last year and won the competition for best young rider; Joaquim Rodriguez of Katusha, one of the world’s best climbers; and Jurgen Van Den Broeck of Lotto-Belisol, who finished fourth last year.
May the best man representing his team win!