O'GRADY FACTFILE DOB: 6/8/1973 Nationality: Australian Team: Credit Agricole Best Tour: Yellow jersey wearer - 1998

This year he believes he is in the best shape of his career, insisting he has an extra edge on the bike this season and will be pushing for the green jersey.

He was seriously overshadowed by both Robbie McEwen and Erik Zabel in the battle for that last time around.

But O'Grady has the form so far this season to back that up, climaxing in his third place in the Tour of Flanders.

He also won the Australian national championships before clinching a podium place in the Tour Down Under.

Twice he has come close to winning the, so far, elusive green. Both times he was beaten by Zabel, most famously when he started the final day of the 2001 Tour wearing green.

Unlike McEwen and Zabel, there is a lot more besides to his riding ability.

He finished 54th in the 2001 Tour de France and has worn the yellow jersey in two different tours.

In what is a brief opening prologue, he could yet find himself in yellow this time around.