The Tours de France is the most glamorous cycle race in the world, and one with a huge tradition. This year it is even more special than usual for this will be the hundredth time it has been run. Each of its 21 stages will be held in mainland France and Corsica (also French owned) from where it will begin. Let’s look at the betting.
The question is do you bet on last year’s winner Bradley Wiggins at odds of 16/1? Normally you wouldn’t hesitate unless there was a very significant reason for not doing so; it would be a no brainer. With the current favourite Chris Froome priced at 7/5 and second favourite Alberto Contador at 11/4, 16/1 would seem to be a very good offer.
The problem is that this season has been far from one of Wiggins’ best. His performance generally has been fairly lacklustre and his recent retirement from the Giro d’Italia and the grounds of sickness has done his cause no good at all. He has also been showing signs of stress too; picking up your bike and slinging it at a wall is no way to court the sporting press.
However those are very long odds and it is difficult to see how they reflect reality. This could be a golden opportunity to strike while the iron is hot.