Dating back to 1903 and covering more than 2,200 miles over three weeks throughout France, the Tour de France is the best recognised, oldest and most prestigious cycling event in the world.

Riders travel on differing routes every year but always finish in Paris, and a prestigious yellow jersey is awarded to the cyclist with the least amount of time elapsed on each day. This year's Tour will run from 4th-26th July 2009, starting in Monte Carlo.

The most successful Tour de France rider of all-time is Lance Armstrong, who won 7 titles from 1999-2005. Armstrong is making a comeback for the 2009 tour and is prominent in the Tour de France betting – Lance Armstroung's Tour de France odds are the second shortest to win this year's event. Last year's winner, Carlos Sastre, is also attempting to win his second consecutive tour.

The bookmakers' favourite in the Tour de France betting, however, is the 2007 champion Alberto Contador for the Astana team. The Spaniard is one of only five cyclists to have won all three 'Grand Tours' of road cycling (the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana) and he will be cycling for the same team as the returning Armstrong in this year's Tour.

Other riders at the front of the Tour de France betting include Andy Schleck, who won the 'maillot blanc' jersey for best young rider at last year's event, and Cadel Evans, who was among the favourites to win last year and held the yellow jersey from stages 10-14.

Tour de France betting is always popular among exchange traders, as the long time-scale and capacity for odds to change quickly make it a perfect environment for in-running betting.