This year's Tour de L'Ain really has a little bit of everything. There are some big names, some unknowns, sprint stages, climbing stages, time trial (really short), and a whole bunch of guys trying to make their final case for the Vuelta. Here are some guys to keep an eye on.John Gadret- Gadret is no stranger to the Tour de L'Ain, having won the event in 2007. While not the most disciplined in the team aspect of things, his talent is quite obvious and he is as good a climber as any in the field.
Haimar Zubeldia- Though not what he used to be, Zubeldia can still pack a punch on the climbs and if given the support of his Radioshack team, could make some noise up at the front.
Janez Brajkovic- Radioshack's other option for a strong leader, Brajkovic proved his worth as an excellent domestique at the Tour the year as well as a leader. (He won the Dauphine Libere) Brajkovic excells on type of climbs that are featured in this year's Tour de L'Ain, and I think he may be the sleeper of the entire event.
Tejay Van Garderen- Ok, I know I'm going out on a limb here, but I cannot stress enough how much this kid impresses me. He is riding with a great team, and could potentially be ahead from start to finish. It is a long shot, but I really think he has a legitimate chance.
Other Riders to Watch- Christophe Le Mevel, Christophe Moreau, Steve Morabito, Karsten Kroon, Brice Feillu
*I'm seeing Mark Cavendish listed as a reserve for his HTC Columbia squad. We probably won't be seeing him this week, but it is worth noting that there is a chance.
Tomorrow's prologue is so short I wasn't sure I even needed a preview. At only 3 km and dead flat, it should be no problem and I wouldn't expect very big time gaps to open.
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