Vincenzo Nibali’s Stage 2 victory at the Tour De France has confirmed the Italian champion as a genuine contender for the general classification at this year’s Tour De France, with punters responding to the win by backing him into clear-cut third favouritism behind Chris Froome and Alberto Contador.
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Nibali’s odds of winning the Tour firmed from $10 into $8 at Sportingbet.com.au after the Astana team leader sprinted clear of an elite pack of riders that included race favourites Froome ($1.90) and Contador ($2.65) to steal stage 2 victory in Sheffield.
“Nibali’s a former winner of the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana so has proved he has what it takes to prevail in a gruelling Grand Tour,” Sportingbet’s Andrew Brown said.
“The odds now reflect public sentiment that this year’s Tour is not just a race between two.”
Sprinter Mark Cavendish’s withdrawal from the race due to injury has helped Peter Sagan tightened his grip on favouritism for the Green Jersey, firming from $1.50 to $1.20 at Sportingbet.
Pierre Rolland has shortened into $3.75 to be crowned King Of The Mountain, with Froome and Contador $5 equal second favourites.
Stage 3 is expected to be contested by the sprinters with Stage 1 winner Marcel Kittel the $1.60 favourite in front of Andre Greipel ($5) and Peter Sagan ($13).
2014 Tour De France – Stage 3 winner
Sportingbet.com.au market
Marcel Kittel $1.60
Andre Greipel $5
Peter Sagan $13
Arnaud Demare $13
Bryan Coquard $21
Alexander Kristoff $21
Danny Van Poppel $41
Mark Renshaw $41
Alessandro Petacchi $81
Tony Martin $81
Fabian Cancellara $81
Others $101+