Pre-race favorite Bradley Wiggins has been training in Mallorca ahead of his bid to win the Tour de France for the first time.
Lonely road —
Pre-race favorite Bradley Wiggins has been training in Mallorca ahead of his bid to win the Tour de France for the first time.
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Wiggins sporting the yellow jersey after winning the Criterium du Dauphine earlier this year. Sky teammate Michael Rogers finished second with reigning Tour de France champion Cadel Evans in third.
Yellow goal —
Wiggins sporting the yellow jersey after winning the Criterium du Dauphine earlier this year. Sky teammate Michael Rogers finished second with reigning Tour de France champion Cadel Evans in third.
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World champion Mark Cavendish warmed up for the Tour by winning three stages of the Giro D'Italia. The Sky rider will be defending his sprinters' Green Jersey in France.
Sprinting superstar —
World champion Mark Cavendish warmed up for the Tour by winning three stages of the Giro D'Italia. The Sky rider will be defending his sprinters' Green Jersey in France.
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Last year's winner Cadel Evans stands next to a map showing the 3,479 km route of the 2012 Tour de France.
Tough route —
Last year's winner Cadel Evans stands next to a map showing the 3,479 km route of the 2012 Tour de France.
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BMC rider Evans became the first Australian to win the Tour de France last year and celebrated in front of the Arc de Triomphe.
Australian first —
BMC rider Evans became the first Australian to win the Tour de France last year and celebrated in front of the Arc de Triomphe.
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Luxembourg's Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador of Spain battle it out on the famous Col du Tourmalet in the 2010 Tour de France. Schleck (in white) was awarded the race after Contador tested positive for a banned drug. Schleck is injured for this year's Tour while Contador is suspended.
Missing stars —
Luxembourg's Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador of Spain battle it out on the famous Col du Tourmalet in the 2010 Tour de France. Schleck (in white) was awarded the race after Contador tested positive for a banned drug. Schleck is injured for this year's Tour while Contador is suspended.
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Thomas Voeckler made a heroic effort to win the Tour de France for the home nation last year -- eventually finishing fourth -- and will look to spring a further surprise in 2012.
French hero —
Thomas Voeckler made a heroic effort to win the Tour de France for the home nation last year -- eventually finishing fourth -- and will look to spring a further surprise in 2012.
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Dutchman Laurens ten Dam shows the typical courage of a Tour de France competitor. The Rabobank rider crashed on a mountain stage last year and carried on despite facial injuries.
Courageous competitors —
Dutchman Laurens ten Dam shows the typical courage of a Tour de France competitor. The Rabobank rider crashed on a mountain stage last year and carried on despite facial injuries.
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Thor Hushovd, the 2010 world road champion, rides up a mountain and into a phalanx of supporters during last year's Tour.
Massive support —
Thor Hushovd, the 2010 world road champion, rides up a mountain and into a phalanx of supporters during last year's Tour.
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The Tour would not be the Tour without the appearance of an eccentric German fan nicknamed "The Devil" who crops up on many stages.
Devil worship —
The Tour would not be the Tour without the appearance of an eccentric German fan nicknamed "The Devil" who crops up on many stages.
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Ryder Hesjedal became the first Canadian to win a major cycling tour when he took this year's Giro D'Italia, and the Garmin star will be aiming for a double in the Tour de France.
Canadian hopeful —
Ryder Hesjedal became the first Canadian to win a major cycling tour when he took this year's Giro D'Italia, and the Garmin star will be aiming for a double in the Tour de France.
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Tom Simpson became the first British rider to don the yellow jersey of the Tour de France back in 1962, but he died during the race five years later, the victim of drugs and heat exhaustion.
Tragic trailblazer —
Tom Simpson became the first British rider to don the yellow jersey of the Tour de France back in 1962, but he died during the race five years later, the victim of drugs and heat exhaustion.
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