LIEGE, Belgium, July 2 (UPI) -- Lance Armstrong opens his bid for a record sixth Tour de France title Saturday and he does so as the overwhelming favorite.
"When it comes to work, everyone knows what they have to do," said Armstrong teammate Jose Azevedo. "The team has quality, is balanced and for eight of the (nine) riders, the mission is the same -- work for Armstrong."
The Tour begins with a 3.7-mile individual time trial known as, "the prologue," and then embarks on a 2,100-mile route in 20 stages.
The cyclists who survive the ordeal will finish the race in Paris on July 20.
This year's Tour has received added spice with the publication of a book alleging Armstrong has used performance-enhancing drugs. Such charges have followed Armstrong throughout his Tour career, but he has never tested positive.
Armstrong is planning legal action concerning the book, which did not present any proof to back up the charges.
"The whole team is confident that Lance can win the Tour," Azevedo said. "He has won the five previous Tours and that gives him a good advantage."
