Aussie Cadel Evans is the $2.50 favourite to win the 2012 Tour de France with leading online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au following the suspension of Alberto Contador overnight.

The 2011 winner is followed in the market by Andy Schleck ($4.33), Brit Brad Wiggins ($6.00) and Russian Denis Menchov ($8.00). The quartet are the only riders priced under $21.

“We are confident Cadel can repeat his performance from last year,” sportsbet.com.au’s Ben Hawes. “He obviously showed he can cope physically but also mentally so he’s our man.”

“A lot can change between now and then but if his preparation goes to plan we expect him to hold his spot as favourite right up until the start of the race.”

Next in the market is Chris Froome at $21 while a trio of riders – Andre Valverde, Samuel Sanchez and Robert Gesink – are all at $26 with Belgian Jurgen Van Den Broeck next at $31.

Italian Ivan Basso, Frank Schleck and Andreas Kloden are all priced at $41 while Australian Richie Porte is huge outsider at $201.

Market courtesy of sportsbet.com.au

2012 Tour de France winner

$2.50 Cadel Evans

$4.33 Andy Schleck

$6.00 Brad Wiggins

$8.00 Denis Menchov

$21 Chris Froome

$26 Andre Valverde, Samuel Sanchez, Robert Gesink

$31 Jurgen Van Den Broeck

$34 Vincenzo Nibali, Janez Brajkovic

$41 Ivan Basso, Frank Schleck, Andreas Kloden

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$51 Levi Leipheimer

$151 Thomas Voeckler

$201 Richie Porte

$501 Thor Hushovd

Others quoted