This used to be one of the greatest summer sporting events in the world. But the Tour de France has been kicked to the betting curb – for now. The combination of doping scandals and a lack of starpower has kept the venerable cycling race off the board for 2008.

That could change as we get closer to the end stages. We’re about halfway through the three-week event; Tuesday was a day of rest following the grueling 10th stage up the Pyrenees from Pau to Hautacam. Cadel Evans of Australia held the yellow jersey after nearly crashing out of the race on Sunday.

Evans finished a close second to Alberto Contador last year, but Contador is not competing in the 2008 event because the Astana Team for which he now rides was barred from competition after their involvement in the 2007 doping scandals. Evans should have a smooth ride from here on in.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 at 1:47 pm and is filed under Tour de France odds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.