A former mountain bike champ, Cadel Evans' results suggest he should be a contender - he finished eighth in his first Tour (2005) and fifth last year.

Some will say the Predictor rider's hopes are hampered by his time-trialling, but he showed he can ride "the race of truth" at the Tour of Romandie in 2006.

The 30-year-old comes to London on the back of a second-place finish in the Dauphine Libere, a useful indicator of form for those seeking to wear yellow in Paris.

The Aussie has proven he can stay with the best when the road turns upwards, but does he have enough to beat them?