Mancebo (left) is among the rising stars

In 2000, he ended the Tour de France in ninth place overall and as best young rider.

He showed in the mountains that he could match even the strongest of opponents.

But, rather than progress, he slipped down to 13th overall last year despite still looking good on certain climbs.

Time trialling remains a weakness of the Spaniard and mentally he may not have the finishing edge.

This year's race will see whether he has progressed sufficiently as a rider this time around.

Juan Miguel Mercado Martin (Spain - iBanesto.com): Spanish cycling is enjoying another good patch and could hold sway over the sport with the likes of Sevilla and Mancebo coming through the ranks.

Mercado Martin completes that trio but, at 23, his potential remains untapped for the moment.

He is still too young to cause a realistic obstacle to the top five but future years could see him at the top of the rankings in Le Tour.

On the other side of the coin, like many of the Spaniards he struggles against the clock in the time trials.

His talents will go untested this year, though, having been left out of the Tour team.

David Millar (Great Britain - Cofidis): The Scot is aiming for stage wins in this year's Tour, but the time is surely fast approaching when he will be battling for the yellow jersey.

Millar has already worn yellow in the race

His ability is not in question - he wore yellow after winning the prologue in the 2000 Tour - and he is driven enough to achieve the ultimate goal.

But he admits that he sometimes pushes too hard which could prove his downfall in such an energy-sapping event.

Time trials, however, hold no fear.

Sven Montgomery (Switzerland - Fassa Bartolo): Montgomery's climb up the ranks has been a steady one but the Swiss rider appears to have paced himself to perfection.

Despite his obvious talent, he is quick to downplay his ability when matched against the likes of Armstrong.

He knows improvements are needed to take himself up to another level.

Climbing is the strongest aspect of his riding, while his time trialling is one of the most impressive among the young cyclists.

Oscar Sevilla (Spain - Kelme): Stamina remains a problem for the young Spaniard over the course of the Tour de France.

But his seventh place last year marks him out as possibly the most talented of all the young riders currently competing.

His baby face belies his inner strength and mental toughness in the mountains.

Little has been seen of his time trialling ability in 2002 which remains a major concern.

Should he take that up a notch, then Armstrong might even have something to worry about this time around.