Of various renowned sports events of the world, that attract a lot of media coverage, The tour de France bicycle race is a major one. This is the 96th Tour de france this year, which will be starting from Monaco from July 4. This year the bicycle race will tour six nations namely Monaco, France, Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and Italy. For the first time since 205, the race will have a time trail besides having seven mountain stages. This year ear pierces have been banned.

Tour de France this year will see a competition between 20 teams. These teams will comprise of 9 riders each bringing the total of 180 participants competing against each other.

Though the star attraction of the tournament were the former champions of the race namely Carlos Sastre, Alberto Contador and Cadel Evans who are the 2008, 2007 and present runner up respectively, all media attention has been shifted to Lance Armstrong, who will be participating this year since 2005. This is due to his legendary status in world bicycle race. The news indeed shocked many as this athlete who has played from 1999 to 2005 and had been a winner of the tour de france championship seven times, has come out of his retirement and decided to compete this year.

On Thursday, the presentation of the teams took place and as the bicyclists rode along the harbor, fans of Lance Armstrong started shouting and cheering for their hero who is now 37 year old. “Lance you’re the best!” was the cheer from his little 13 year old fan McCann who was thrilled as Armstrong rode past him.
Armstrong’s entry has really made this year’s race exciting.