Tour De France Yellow Jersey Contenders

More info on the riders... Ive included likely Top 10 finishers plus a few of my dark horses (some I will inevitably get wrong)

There are probably a few more names people are bouncing around for the overall so add your own... and your picks for the overall!

Established Contenders

Alejandro Valvere (Caisse D'Epargne): Winner of the 2008 Dauphine Libere which is considered the best indicator of potential success in the Tour De France each year - this mean Valverde is on cycling form right now.  

This will be the Spanish riders fourth Tour De France - he already has a stage win in the race, out sprinting Lance Armstrong to the top of Courchavel in 2005.

He has finished one Tour De France from 3 starts placing 6th overall last year.

Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto): Australian rider Cadel came second overall last year, and took second in the Dauphine Libere this year beyond Valverde.

He has started the Tour De France 3 times, and had 3 Top 10 finishes as a result. This will see him wearing the number 1 for this years race and make him a marked man.

Racing on a team that has most recently been built around chasing the Green jersey for Robbie McEwen, this year Cadel will for the first time have full team support in his quest for yellow.

He has been criticised for his conservative riding style, but has been attacking much more in the Spring season which has resulted in a few news articles indicating he has increased confidence this year.

If time bonuses had not been awarded at stage finishes in last years race, Cadel would have been on the top step of the podium.

Riccardo Ricco (Saunier Duval): This is rider not many have been talking about, but yuong gun Ricco came second overall in the Giro D'Italia this year behind last years TDF winner Alberto Contador.

He is obvioulsy a good climber and stage racer - who also has the ability to talk himself up to the press... a lot.

He was not expected to ride the Tour De France this year, but his inclusion in the team means they will now be chasing the yellow jersey

Denis Menchov (Rabobank): The quiet Russian rider has two Vuelta wins in 2005 and 2007, and is one of only 3 current riders who were in the Top 10 in the 2005 Tour. (the other two are Cadel and Oscar Pereiro)

He rode the Giro D'Italia for the first time this year, indicating a change to his normal season where he has in the past first appeared in the Tour De France before riding the Vuelta later in the season.

Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo-Bank): Taking over the CSC team leader ship role in 2006 when Ivan Basso as removed from the team Sastre reallt began to ride well.

An amazing climber he tends to loose time in the Time trials which has seen him finish in 4th position on the GC in the past 2 years.

This year he is supported by two amazing riders (and GC riders in their own right) Frank and Andy Schleck which only give weight to his chances of finishied on the podium.

Frank and Andy Schleck (CSC-Saxo Bank): Officially riding support for Carlos Sastre both brothers have been identified as ones to watch for the future in stage races.

They provide lots of counter attacking options for team CSC as yellow jersey contenders will not be wanting to let either of these riders get away.

Frank already has a stage win at Alpe D'Huez in 2006, and his brother Andy came second in his grand tour debut at the Giro in 2007. 

Damiano Cunego (Lampre): Winner of the white jersey competition in 2006 means Cunego has shown a lot of promise as a Grand Tour rider, especially after he won the Giro D'Italia at the age of 22 in 2004.

He has tried 3 times unsuccessfully to regain his Giro title, but this year he has been focussing on the Tour De France and been seen out training on the Tour climbs this season.

Dark Horses

Juan Mauricio Soler (Barloworld): Last years winner of the King of the Mountains prize mean Juan Mauricio Soler should appear on any list of potential top 10 finishers.

The columbian rider was the surprise package at least years tour, riding for a wild card team he would jump on the pedals and ride away of even the most experienced riders.  

Oscar Pereiro Sio (Caisse D'Epargne): A former winner of the yellow jersey (2006 - awarded after Floyd Landis was disqualified) you cannot discount him as a contender for the overall prize.

He will be riding in support of Valverde, but if his team leader has problems - he will be a fabulous second option.

Trent Lowe (Garmin Chipotle): Former mountain bike junior champion and best young rider at the Tour of Georgia this year, Trent Lowe has been identified as a potential Grand Tour winner of the future.

He may not be ready for the overall prize this year as his team focuses on stage wins, but he could be a dark horse to appear in the Top 10.

Kim Kirchen (Team Columbia): With last years team leader unable to race last year Kim Kirchen is the best choice for Team Columbia to place in the GC.

This year he has been in super form winning both the Tour de Suisse and Fleche-Wallone. Last year he finished the Tour De France 7th overall.

Marcus Fothen (Gerolsteiner): A former under 23 world time trial champion and second place in thebest young rider competition at the Tour De France behind Damino Cunego means Marcus Fothen has the potential for a Top 10 finish.

Christophe Moreau (Agritubel): During his cycling career Christophe Moreau has placed in the top 10 at the Tour De France on multiple occassions and has stage wins to his name.

he is aguably not quite the cyclist he was a few years ago, he will no doubt still have the desire to be the highest placed Frenchman on the GC.

Cyril Dessel (AG2R): Will probably be Moureaus biggest competition for highest placed Frenchman. He has worn the races yellow jersey on one occassion during the race in 2006.

He has won one stage at the Dauphine this year in the lead up to the Tour De France.

Stijn Devolder (Quickstep): Another rider who has had great form in the early season Belgian rider Devolder was winner of the Tour of Belgium and Ronde van Vlaanderen so far this year.

He has strong time trialling abilites and is a capable climber, will be interesting to see how he holds on in the mountains. As the team is normally focused on the yellow jersey this will be the first time he has the opportunity to try and place well overall.

Ok thats to get everyone started... who have I missed? Any other picks?