The Tour de France is ready for another edition with Lance Armstrong, and today's opening stage may show whether he's ready to challenge for another title.
Armstrong's 37-year-old legs will be tested immediately when the three-week race begins with a 9.6-mile time trial.
The ride probably will offer an early shakeout of potential contenders who want to at least hold their own in the race against the clock. The main race favorites -- except Armstrong and American teammate Levi Leipheimer -- will start last as the 180 riders set off one by one. Defending champion Carlos Sastre of Spain, wearing the yellow jersey and No. 1 bib, will go last. Armstrong asked to be the first Astana rider to go. He'll ride 18th, nearly three hours before Sastre.
