Le Tour, as it is known is back. One of the most awaited sporting events globally is also one of the most grueling. Started way back in 1903, the Tour navigates through most parts of France and its nearby areas. The 2009 Edition started off earlier today with over 190 cyclists participating - cyclists who will practically live on their cycles before they reach Paris [which in Tour terms mean the final day] in around 23 days.
The Tour has attracted a lot of attention globally not only for the cyclists and their superhuman performances, but also for the drug controversies and of course the dominance of Lance Armstrong. After creating waves with his cancer survivorship and his record number of Tour victories followed by a timely retirement in 2005, Lance made waves in late 2008 by declaring that he would like to take another shot at the tour. His decision to make a come back at the age of 37 after spending nearly 3 years away from the pinnacle of cycling did shock many. But for his fans and followers, it was a surprise and a pleasant one. After all, since a kid all that this man ever thought of was 'cycling' and it showed in each of his victories. Whether it was in 2000 to prove it to himself or the later ones to prove to his critics or just in 2005 to finally make the French love him, each of his victories were classics.
Back to 2009, Lance's comeback didn't start off as well as expected - he suffered from a broken collar bone, which then needed surgical repair. Most Tour followers are almost convinced that he will take victory in Paris, however, much is not the same as it was in 2005. Though Lance has his most-trusted aide in Johan Bruyneel leading the team, he also does have a team of power packed cyclists who are eying victory in Paris as much as him. And worse, their Team Astana, which is funded by a state coalition on Khazak companies is undergoing a financial crunch.
As with Lance and Johan, who led the Discovery Channel team, 9 other riders joined Astana from the now-defunct Discovery team in a bid to win in Paris. Much against Lance's earlier team structures, he is co-jointly leading the team alongwith 2007 Tour winner Alberto Contador, and they are not the only favourites. Andreas Kloden, who has been a runner-up on the Tour twice and Levi Leipheimer are amongst the other top riders who will be out too challenge the authority of their team leaders. 
The Tour started off with the first stage, which was an individual time trial of 15.5kms. While Fabian Cancellara won the yellow jersey, Team Astana, on paper pretty much seems like the team to beat - and they almost proved it today, with 4 of their riders finishing in the top 10.
2007 Tour Champion Alberto Contador, finished 2nd and 18 seconds down on the yellow jersey. Andreas Kloden was the first rider to break the 20min barrier and ended up finishing 22 seconds down on the leader in 4th. Levi Liepheimer and Lance Armstrong who were one of the earlier starters of the stage also briefly led the stage timing and eventually finished in 6th and 10th places respectively.
While Cancellara did seem unbeatable on this relatively flat and short stage, the mountains is where his strengths will be put to the test. It is widely known that both Armstrong and Contador are one of the best mountain climbers on the Tour. For how long can Cancellara hold onto his yellow jersey only needs to be seen, but having asked that - one must remember that he's entering the Tour fresh after conquering the mountains in the Tour of Switzerland.
After long, the Tour again has enough contenders for us to keep guessing the winner in Paris. Will the dope scandals dog the tour again? Or better, will Lance just take the flag for himself and Astana? A long and interesting Tour awaits us...read this space for more.
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