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The Tour de France ladder

By Susan Westemeyer

published 2 March 2009

Who is going to win the 2009 Tour de France? We'll be the first to admit we haven't the slightest...

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With the finish line reflected in his glasses, Levi Leiphiemer signals three wins(Image credit: Wil Matthews)

Alberto Contador in the Volta ao Algarve leader's jersey.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Michael Rogers on the final Tour of California podium(Image credit: Mitch Clinton)

Can Armstrong win his 8th Tour in July?(Image credit: Jon Devich)

Fränk Schleck won the final stage of the Tour of California.(Image credit: Mitch Clinton)

Denis Menchov had a quiet Ruta del Sol.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Damiano Cunego time trials at the Volta ao Algarve.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Cadel Evans had a roller coaster Ruta del Sol.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Christian Vande Velde out-time trialed Lance in California.(Image credit: Jon Devich)

Sickness sidelined Sastre at the Tour of California.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)

Andy Schleck's Tour of California hopes were dashed on stage two.(Image credit: Emory Ball)

Alejandro Valverde's Tour start may be determined in a courtroom.(Image credit: Christophe Mury)

Andy Schleck's Tour of California hopes were dashed on stage two.(Image credit: Emory Ball)

Can Armstrong win his 8th Tour in July?(Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

Christian Vande Velde out-time trialed Lance in California.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich)

Michael Rogers on the final Tour of California podium.(Image credit: Mitch Clinton)

Fränk Schleck won the final stage of the Tour of California.(Image credit: Mitch Clinton)

Alberto Contador in the Volta ao Algarve leader's jersey.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Denis Menchov had a quiet Ruta del Sol.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Damiano Cunego time trials at the Volta ao Algarve.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Cadel Evans had a roller coaster Ruta del Sol.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

With the finish line reflected in his glasses, Levi Leiphiemer signals three wins as he comes across the finish line as the winner of stage 6 of the Amgen Tour of California.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)

Sickness sidelined Sastre at the Tour of California.(Image credit: Wil Matthews)

Tales from the peloton, March 2, 2009

Who is going to win the 2009 Tour de France? We'll be the first to admit we haven't the slightest idea. But there are certainly a number of favourites, and by keeping track on how they are doing in the races leading up to the Tour, we ought to at least be able to see who is climbing up the ladder of success. At the very least, we'll give you something to talk about on your next club ride.

After expert consultation (reading tea leaves in the CN office and throwing darts at a ProTour roster), we came up with a list of 12 candidates for this year's Tour. Happily for us, all of them have put in their first racing kilometers, so let's see where they stand at this early part of the year.

That's our first look at who-is-who this year. How will they do in their next races? Who will climb up the ladder of success or slide down into the pits? Heck, how should we know that? But we'll be back with another look soon.