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TOUR DE FRANCE IS COMING

Can it really be a year since the London prologue? It's hard to believe but this is the first anniversary of the Tour's visit to the capital; that brilliant day when the British public fell in love with bike racing.

We stood eight deep in the Mall, with estimates of more than two million spectators spread from Whitehall to Hyde Park and a further two million the following day lining the roads of Kent. Such was the spectacle there that it triggered complaints from the Wimbledon tennis people who said they had been upstaged by the Tour de France.

This year's Tour begins on Saturday, July 5, with Britain looking for stage wins from Mark Cavendish and David Millar. We tip Cav for up to six victories. Just one would be fantastic, but after Mark's Giro success in May, then the sky is the limit. These are exciting times.

This week's Cycling Weekly is our Tour de France special preview edition; 164 pages packed with all the information you need to get the most out of watching this year's Tour.

Along with an in-depth route and team guide, there's an exclusive interview with overall contender Cadel Evans, a feature on the British riders taking part, a look at all the main favourites and the latest Tour news.

Plus, there are all the Cycling Weekly usuals - British and international news round-up; a full report from the National Championship; we take a ride around Jersey with cycling legend Bernard Hinault; we take a first ride of Giant's new top-end TCR Advanced SL; and ride the Paris-Roubaix cyclo-sportive.

Cycling Weekly July 3 issue is on sale from Thursday at WHSmith, major supermarkets and all good newsagents priced £3.95.

Robert Garbutt
Editor