On Saturday 3rd of July, the 97th edition of the Tour de France kicks off with an 8.9 kilometer long prologue in the streets of Rotterdam, Holland.

But the first minor time trial will probably not be decisive for the outcome of the GC when the race ends in Paris, Sunday 25th of July. Before then, the 198 riders divided into 22 professional cycling teams will have been through six mountain stages of which three has uphill finishes and a long time trial over 52 kilometers. Most legendary are the climbs to Col de Tourmalet and Col de Madeleine where the top favorites will definitely seek for weaknesses in the front group.

In addition, the sprinters will have a fair chance of putting their mark on the race which contains nine stages in rather flat terrain and four stages where lucky escapees have more than a good chance of making it to the finish line.

The 20 stages have a total length of 3642 kilometers and when the last rider has crossed the finish line on the Champs-Élysées, the top of the pop will probably be separated by only a few minutes in the overall standings.

Team Saxo Bank has a vision with their nine riders: Andy, Fränk Schleck, Chris Anker Sørensen, Nicki Sørensen, Jens Voigt, Stuart O'Grady, Fabian Cancellara and debutants Jakob Fuglsang and Matti Breschel. Andy who won the national time trial championship in Luxembourg is the man to serve and protect. Around him, he has a very strong team of experienced and powerful bodyguards who will stand by him on both flat road and in the mountains.

"There are some risky elements in the Netherlands and Belgium considering both cobblestone sections and harsh crosswinds where we must be careful not to lose ground. However, it appears that the route is harder than last year's Tour and I have a better chance of winning time in the mountains and lose less time on the long time trial. I'm going for the overall victory this year but it's clear that Contador is the biggest favorite while Lance (Armstrong) may be more motivated than ever," said Andy earlier.