LONDON, July 6 (UPI) -- Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan is considered the favorite when the Tour de France cycling race starts Saturday in London.
The 33-year-old Vinokourov finished third in 2003 and fifth in 2005.
Among the missing this year are 2006 winner Floyd Landis and another former winner, Bjararne Riis.
Landis was forced to withdraw after last year's doping scandal and awaits a decision from an arbitration panel on whether his Tour victory will stand.
He has written a book about his 2006 journey.
Riis admitted to doping during his days as one of the world's top cyclists, and withdrew this week.
He won the event in 1996.
Vinokourov has never been accused or implicated.
The competition for a new champion also includes Australian Robbie McEwen, who won three stages last year, Spain's Alejandro Valverde, a winner of two silver medals and a bronze at world championship road races, and last year's third and fourth-place finishers, Andreas Kloden of Germany and Spain's Carlos Sastre.
