The 98th Tour de France gets underway on Saturday 2nd July, as the best cyclists in the world embark on the most prestigious event in cycling and one of the most gruelling physical and mental challenges in sport. The 2011 tour will see 198 racers cover over 3,400km in 21 stages across 23 days. It is always a popular betting market and provides a range of opportunities for punters, ranging from the Outright Winner to King of the Mountains market.

It will come as no surprise to anyone with even only a limited knowledge of cycling to learn that the three-time champion, Alberto Contador, is the major odds-on favourite, with Bet 365 pricing the defending champion at short odds of 7/10 to win what would be his third-straight title. The Spaniard is the best climber in the world and also a nifty time trialist, thus giving him a huge advantage. However, the 28-year-old has been plagued by a long on-going doping investigation, having tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol in the 2010 Tour de France, which could prove to be a nasty distraction.

Contadors main challenge comes from Luxembourgs Andy Schleck, who has finished runner up in the past two years, and is priced at 9/1 with Bet 365 to go one step better this year. Schleck is one of the best climbers on the tour but unfortunately he is not much of a time trialist, which could be a key factor preventing him from toping the podium.

With Contador such a huge favourite, it may be best to focus on the Tour De France 2011 Odds without Alberto Contador market (see odds below). Ivan Basso and Cadel Evans have a wealth of experience and know what it takes to finish on the podium. The racers are 9/1 and 15/1 respectively to win the tour without Contador. After finishing sixth last year the young Dutchman, Robert Gesink, is definitely in with a shout as is the 40/1 the American! long sh ot Chris Horner. Horner finished in 10th place in 2010 and has had a fantastic year to 2011, winning the Tour of California ahead of Schleck.

As usual the main British hope is Bradley Wiggins. After an array of excellent performances in France two years ago he came away with an excellent 4th place overall, although he did struggle last year, finishing in a disappointing 24th place finish. Bet 365 offers odds of 14/1 on Wiggins to win the race without Contador, which is well worth a punt. Elsewhere Mark Cavendish starts as big 7/5 favourite for the green jersey.

Tour De France 2011 Outright Odds:

• 7/10 Alberto Contador
• 33/20 Andy Schleck
• 25/1 Ivan Basso
• 25/1 Bradley Wiggins
• 25/1 Cadel Evans
• 28/1 Robert Gesink
• 33/1 Samuel Sanchez
• 50/1 Frank Schleck
• 50/1 Jurgen Van Den Broeck
• 80/1 Janez Brajkovic
• 80/1 Christopher Horner
• 80/1 Levy Leipheimer
• 80/1 Andreas Kloden

Tour De France 2011 Odds without Alberto Contador:

• 4/7 Andy Schleck
• 9/1 Ivan Basso
• 13/1 Robert Gesink
• 14/1 Bradley Wiggins
• 15/1 Cadel Evans
• 16/1 Samuel Sanchez
• 18/1 Frank Schleck
• 22/1 Jurgen Van Den Broeck
• 33/1 Levy Leipheimer
• 40/1 Andreas Kloden

King of the Mountains Odds:

• 3/1 Alberto Contador
• 11/2 David Moncouti
• 11/2 Andy Schleck
• 7/1 Anthony Charteau
• 9/1 Damiano Cunego
• 11/1 Thomas Voeckler

Tour De France 2011 Points Classification Odds:

• 7/5 Mark Cavendish
• 7/2 Alessandro Petacchi
• 7/1 Phillipe Gilbert
• 8/1 Thor Hushovd
• 9/1 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil
• 11/1 Edvald Boasson Hagen
• 16/1 Tyler Farrar
• 22/1 Andre Greipel
• 33/1 Ben Swift
• 33/1 Mathew Goss

All odds supplied by Bet365