Go Ryder!

The Tour de France starts Saturday! From July 2nd to Sunday July 24th 2011, the 98th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,430.5 kilometres.

Team Leopard-Trek's star is Andy Schleck. He was only 39 seconds out of first place last year. 39 seconds after 21 days! We like Andy. And Fabian Cancellara is also on the team. Leopard is a new team, first year in the race.

The Canadian guy I root for is Ryder Hesjedal from Vancouver. He's 30 this year and has been on Team Garmin-Cervelo for a few years. The TV commentators don't mention him which puts him a bit under the radar, unfortunately.

Ivan Basso is back. He's leading Team Liquigas. He hasn't raced in "The Tour" for a few years. Drugs. He's the pretty boy of the Tour.

Lance Armstrong was on Team Radio Shack. His coach/manager is still there - Johan Bruyneel. And the team has some great riders with experience.

There's only one guy we DON'T want to win - Alberto Contador. He's a weasel. Not a team player. Sorry - we don't want Alberto in the race!