Zabriskie ready for Tour de France challenge

Still, Zabriskie understands his role with the Garmin-Slipstream team he rides for is one to primarily support the team leaders while shooting for individual glory during the three time trials, including one challenging 39K team time trial in Montpellier, France on July 7.

Leipheimer, likewise, is a superb time trialist having won a bronze medal in the event at the 2008 Olympics and may jump out of the gates on fire hoping to show he, too, is not content simply riding in Armstrong's shadow on the powerful Astana team.

One of the better climbers in the race, Leipheimer is one of a handful of racers considered a serious threat to win it all. Though Contador and Armstrong are teammates and considered the team leaders, Leipheimer is a proven all-around cyclist and may find himself wearing yellow at any time during the three weeks of action.

With Armstrong likely to be getting the lion's share of media attention, Leipheimer will be more free to focus on just racing.

The Tour de France wraps up July 26 with a long flat stage ending at the Champs-Elysees but will likely be decided the day before with a monstrous climb up the legendary Mont Ventoux in the south of France when the top climbers in the peloton will attack relentlessly trying to put some time into the field and secure victory.

Tour de France

21 Stages from July 4-26

TV: Versus

The favorites: Alberto Contador (Astana), 2007 winner; Carlos Sastre (Cervelo TestTeam), 2008 winner; Lance Amrstrong (Astana), 1999-2005 winner; Denis Menchov (Rabobank), 2009 Giro d'Italia winner; Levi Leipheimer (Astana), 2007 Tour de France 3rd; Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), 2008 Tour de France

E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com