Normally this time of year, I can't wait for the tour to start.  This year, I'm much less interested.

I read this site, cyclingnews, velownews and other regularly. I watch all the races I can and ride regularly. It might sound like I'm a fan of cycling, but I don't have much interest in the upcoming Tour. I'm sure at least some of my lack of interest is because there are only four US riders in the race.  No Levi and no Horner.

I should explain that I did follow the Giro this year even though no US riders were likely to win. To me the Giro is more interesting because they have a wider variety of stages. In addition to mountain top finishes and sprint finishes, they also have small hills near the finish so classic riders like Bettini can contest the stage.

At the Tour this year, there will be a small number of riders who can win. Evans, the consensus favorite and second place rider from last year, is not an attacking rider. He'll ride tempo or follow wheels to the end. There is no team time trial. There's no US rider that will challenge either in the sprints nor in the mountain stages. After all this, the best stage rider in the world right now, Contador, won't be at the Tour.

I might watch the Tour to see how much Valverde has improved as a grand tour rider, see how well the Schlecks do, or to watch the Rico show. While these might seem like good reasons, they are not overly compelling.

As a fan, I'd rather have another Giro and skip the tour this year or maybe cycling.tv will broadcast the Cascade Classic.