Tour De France Preview - Stage 1, July 4th

Most likely a group sprint with my vote for the stage going for Mark Cavendish. However, the course travels some of the same roads as the Spring Ardennes classics. The hilly 'bumps' could be significant enough to let a breakaway slip away, watch for Ryder Hesjdal, or somebody not contending for the overall to get away. HTC is not likely to let that happen, but they could misjudge. Look for Oscar Freire to 'steal' one as this stage is certainly up his alley, and if he's there in the final 50m it's his. Look for American Tyler Farrar to give it a good go to win his first stage and potentially the Yellow Jersey, as he had a very good time trial today.