July 6, 2007 – The 94th Tour de France kicks off tomorrow in London with a 7km Prologue that cuts through the city’s famous Hyde Park and passes landmarks like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. Favourites for the Prologue include Britain’s time trial specialist, David Millar (GBR) Saunier Duval-Prodir, who will be spurred on by fellow countrymen on his home turf. Another strong TT contender is 2006 champ Fabian Cancellara (Sui) CSC, who already has a Tour de France Prologue win on his résumé.

The 2007 edition of the Tour de France runs July 7-29 and is made up of 20-stages in addition to the Prologe, plus two rest days. The race will cover a total distance of 3,550 kms, including 11 flat stages, six mountain stages, and two individual time-trial stages.

Of the 189 riders, only one man will win the world’s biggest bike race. Many fans are betting on Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astanta. Oscar Pereiro (Esp) Caisse d’Espargne will be last off the start ramp for the Prologue as he placed second in last year’s Tour and will be next in line for the 2006 win if Floyd Landis (USA) is found guilty of a doping violation.

Pereiro rode very well last year and is a definite threat for the overall victory. Other team leaders with winning potential are AG2R’s Christophe Moreau (Fra) AG2R, CSC’s Carlos Sastre (Fra) Team CSC, Frank Schleck (Ned) Team CSC and Lotto-Predictor’s Cadel Evans (Aus) Lotto-Predictor.

Stages

Prologue – July 7 – London – London (ITT) 7.9km
Stage 1 – July 8 – London – Canterbury 203km
Stage 2 – July 9 – Dunkerque – Gent 168.5km
Stage 3 РJuly 10 РWaregem РCompi̬gne 236.5km
Stage 4 РJuly 11 РVillers-Cotter̻ts РJoigny 193km
Stage 5 – July 12 – Chablis – Autun 182.5km
Stage 6 – July 13 – Semur-en-Auxois – Bourg-en-Bresse 199.5km
Stage 7 – July 14 – Bourg-en-Bresse – Le Grand Bornand 197.5km
Stage 8 – July 15 – Le Grand Bornand – Tignes 165km

Rest day – July 16

Stage 9 – July 17 – Val d’Isère – Briançon 159.5km
Stage 10 – July 18 – Tallard – Marseille 229.5km
Stage 11 – July 19 – Marseille – Montpellier 182.5km
Stage 12 – July 20 – Montpellier – Castres 178.5km
Stage 13 – July 21 – Albi – Albi (ITT) 54km
Stage 14 – July 22 – Mazamet – Plateau-de-Beille 197km
Stage 15 – July 23 – Foix – Loudenvielle-Le Louron 196km

Rest day – July 24

Stage 16 – July 25 – Orthez – Gourette-Col d’Aubisque 218.5km
Stage 17 – July 26 – Pau – Castelsarrin 188.5km
Stage 18 РJuly 27 РCahors РAngoul̻me 211km
Stage 19 РJuly 28 РCognac РAngoul̻me (ITT) 55.5km
Stage 20 – July 29 – Marcoussis – Paris Champs-Élysées 146km

Click here for a map of the entire tour.

Click here for a map of London.

Click here for a map of London to Canterbury.

Teams

AG2R Prévoyance www.ag2r-cyclisme.com
Agritubel www.agritubel-cycling.com
Astana www.team-astana.eu
Barloworld www.teambarloworld.com
Bouygues Telecom www.equipebouyguestelecom.fr
Caisse d’Épargne www.cyclisme-caisse-epargne.fr
Cofidis, le Crédit par Téléphone www.equipe-cofidis.com
Crédit Agricole www.au-veloclubdeparis.fr
Team CSC www.team-csc.com
Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team www.team.discovery.com
Euskaltel – Euskadi www.fundacioneuskadi.com
Française des Jeux www.cyclisme.fdjeux.com
Gerolsteiner www.gerolsteiner.de
Lampre – Fondital www.lampre-fondital.com
Liquigas www.teamliquigas.com
Milram www.team-milram.com
Predictor – Lotto www.davitamon-lotto.com
Quick Step – Innergetic www.qsi-cycling.com
Rabobank www.rabobank.nl/wielrennen
Saunier Duval – Prodir www.saunierduval-prodir.com
T-Mobile Team www.t-mobile-team.com

Click here for the provisional start list.