Tasmanian Richie Porte has been well supported into $21 equal third favouritism at Sportingbet Australia to become the second Australian in three years to win the Tour de France, following Cadel Evans’ breakthrough victory in 2011.
Punters have piled on Porte to perform well at this year’s Tour, backing him in from $501 at Sportingbet since last August.
“Porte was still $101 in March but after an impressive season, including victory in Paris-Nice and a strong performance at the Dauphine, he’s been one of the best backed riders for the Tour’s General Classification,” Sportingbet Australia spokesman Andrew Brown said.
“Obviously Porte is riding for his Sky teammate and race favourite Christopher Froome, but should anything happen to Froome, punters think Porte has the form and the legs to be Tour De France champion,” Brown said.
Froome is a clear-cut $1.67 favourite at Sportingbet and has dominated betting since finishing runner-up behind teammate Bradley Wiggins last year.
“Punters started backing Froome as soon as the peloton crossed the finish line in Paris last year and it’s been one-way traffic for him since and his odds have firmed after every race he’s taken part in,” Brown said.
Two-time Tour De France winner Alberto Contador is a $3.50 second favourite at Sportingbet.
“Contador has come off second best in each battle he’s had with Froome this year but you can be guaranteed ‘El Pistolero’ will be firing for the Tour,” Brown said.
Katusha’s Joaquim Rodriguez is a $21 equal third favourite with Porte, ahead of Nairo Quintana Rojas at $23 and Cadel Evans and Tejay Van Garderen, both at $26.
“Cadel’s odds of winning have drifted from $15 but he surprised us as a $21 shot heading into the 2011 Tour to who’s to say he can’t do it again,” Brown said.
In Sportingbet’s Green Jersey market, Peter Sagan is a slight $1.90 favourite ahead of Mark Cavendish at $2.05. Australia’s Matthew Goss is a $41.00 chance.
“The battle between Sagan and Cavendish will be one of the highlights of this year’s Tour and punters are struggling to split which one of them will take the podium in Paris in green,” Brown said.
Frenchman Thomas Voeckler is a $4.00 favourite to be crowned King Of The Mountain, ahead of compatriot Pierre Rolland at $7.50 and Colombian Nairo Quintana at $11.00.
Sportingbet is betting on each individual Stage of the 2013 Tour De France, and is offering money back up to $100 if your rider finishes second.
2013 Tour de France – General Classification
Sportingbet Australia market
Christopher Froome $1.67
Alberto Contador $3.50
Richie Porte $21.00
Joaquim Rodriquez $21.00
Nairo Quintana Rojas $21.00
Cadel Evans $26.00
Tejay Van Garderen $26.00
Alejandro Valverde $29.00
Andy Schleck $51.00
Jurgen Van Den Broeck $71.00
Thibaut Pinot $71.00
Ryder Hesjedal $81.00
Others $101+
2013 Tour de France – Points Classification (Green jersey)
Sportingbet Australia market
Peter Sagan $1.90
Mark Cavendish $2.05
Andre Greipel $15.00
Marcel Kittel $34.00
Matthew Goss $41.00
Edvald Boasson Hagen $81.00
Others $101+
2013 Tour de France – King Of The Mountains
Sportingbet Australia market
Thomas Voeckler $4.00
Pierre Rolland $7.50
Nairo Quintana $11.00
Chris Froome $11.00
Frederik Kessiakoff $13.00
Thibout Pinot $15.00
Alberto Contador $19.00
