The Tour de France odds for 2009 feature one cyclist as the clear favorite: Alberto Contador.
The Spaniard is recognized as one of the top riders in the world and many online betting fans believe the race is his to lose. Nevertheless, with the Tour de France betting odds set so high, sportsbook bettors must be sure they perceive value in Contador’s Tour de France odds before placing a wager.
The Tour de France odds first released by online sportsbook sites listed Contador at about -112, meaning sports betting fans will be paid less than even money if Contador wins. The second favorite in the sports book Tour de France odds is Lance Armstrong, but the Tour de France betting odds list Armstrong as a significant underdog, indicating that the online sports betting lines makers view Contador as a huge favorite for the 2009 race. If one looks at Contador’s credentials, then it becomes clear why the Tour de France odds are favoring him so highly. Contador is one of only five riders to have won the Tour de France (2007), Giro d’Italia (2008), and Vuelta a España (2008). Moreover, Contador has clearly stated that his focus for 2009 is to win the Tour de France again, and such a statement should not go overlooked as one evaluates the Tour de France betting odds. He unquestionably has the abilities to run away with the race, as he is often regarded as the best climber in the world and has no weaknesses in his riding.
Essentially, there is little reason to doubt Contador’s ability to win the race. Some bettors assessing the Tour de France odds will point out that Contador is racing on the same team as Armstrong, and Armstrong may very well defy the Tour de France betting odds and earn an eighth victory. Nevertheless, Contador is about 10 years younger than Armstrong and handicappers of the 2009 Tour de France odds should recognize that Contador is in his prime while Armstrong is attempting to return from a retirement of several years. Therefore, the biggest question regarding the Tour de France betting odds is not whether the Tour de France odds are correct to list Contador as the favorite, but whether the Tour de France odds have simply listed him as too big of a favorite. There is always a chance that the favorite will be overpriced in the Tour de France odds, and at less than even money that is certainly possible with the 2009 Tour de France odds. Consequently, bettors must analyze the race carefully to determine whether or not Contador offers value given how the Tour de France odds are set.
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