Contador is back as Tour favourite

LANCE Armstrong’s world is falling apart. Found guilty of persistent doping across seven Tour de France titles, he has been exposed by team-mates who once looked up to him.

Not only is Armstrong’s reputation in tatters, yesterday’s revelations that he may have to pay back millions in cycling gains mean he could be heading for financial meltdown.

What makes the Armstrong issue stink is that the world had enormous sympathy for a man who battled back from cancer to reach the pinnacle of his sport.

It was with these gloomy thoughts that I had a peep at the odds for next year’s Tour de France.

And what did I find? Another rule-breaker at the top of the market. Alberto Contador won the 2010 Tour de France but was subsequently disqualified, for taking a banned substance.

He returned this summer after a two-year absence from the sport.

Contador always protested his innocence, but so did Armstrong - still does, come to think of it.

I find it distasteful that Contador is free to compete again and only hope he fails to justify favouritism of 15-8 in next year’s race.



MANCHESTER City return to Champions League action tonight with a trip to Dutch side Ajax.

It won’t be easy in Amsterdam and I won’t be rushing to back a City win at 7-10.

There is some value in the 4-1 for an Ajax win, but the draw, at 11-4, looks tempting. That’s where my money will be going.

For the competition as a whole, Borussia Dortmund are overpriced at 20-1. They are second in this group and looked tremendous when robbed of victory by a late equaliser at Eastlands.

They have to play City at home and, after witnessing the first match, do you really fancy Roberto Mancini’s men to win in Germany? Me neither.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Ajax and Manchester City to draw tonight, 11-4 (general); Borussia Dortmund to win Champions League, 20-1 (general).




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