As is tradition, we've marked the start of a big race by largely ignoring it. Last year we were in excellent form for the Tour, picking Valverde to win before he broke his collarbone, Mayo to win before it turned out that he was still a bit cack, and finally saying that Landis shouldn't win because he was too ugly.

But this site needs its Tour pick section, despite our atrocious display in 2006. And since whoever we pick will lose anyway, we might as well pick someone we like, even if we don't think they'll do anything at all. It's a minor victory, but a victory nonetheless.

This is Christophe Moreau

We're not going to mention his age, or his silly beard, or the fact that he was at Festina when all the naughtiness was going on. We just want him to win because he's French, which would hopefully annoy a few Americans. Allez Christophe.

Not-so-dope-free Friday Tour update
Today's the 40th anniversary of Tom Simpson's death on Mont Ventoux. And our Wiggles has gone on a lone attack in the Tour. It's all quite sentimental, but in a good way, like when your enemy's puppy dies.