Bookmakers slash Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins as 2012 Tour de France route leaked

PARIS, FRANCE - Ladbrokes were the first bookmaker to react on Monday to the leaked route for next year's Tour de France.

The route begins with a prologue in Liege, and features two time trials and only four mountain stages. It was posted on the Tour de France website this morning by organisers ASO, but cycling punters will have to wait until later this month before it becomes official.

The news would be great for fans of current champion Cadel Evans and British hero Bradley Wiggins, who would both have huge chances of winning in 2012 if it is confirmed.

The cyclists better-suited to climbing, such as Paddy Power's 5/4 favourite Alberto Contador would suffer as a result, and so too would Andy Schleck, who was shunted out to 100/30 from 5/2 by Ladbrokes after the leak.

Cadel Evans (pictured) was trimmed into 8/1 from 9/1 by Ladbrokes, but he can still be backed at 10/1 with Paddy Power. The price makes plenty of appeal, especially considering that the BMC man will be joined by Thor Hushovd and Philippe Gilbert next year.

Meanwhile Wiggins was the biggest market mover today, as he was supported into 14/1 from 22/1 with Ladbrokes. He was also cut by Blue Square, but can still be backed at 22/1 with Victor Chandler to win his first Tour De France in 2012 ahead of the London Olympics.

Unconfirmed route for 2012 Tour de France

P, Prologue : Sat 30 June, Liège > Liège 6.1 km
1, Road stage: Sun 1 July, Liège > Seraing 198 km
2, Road stage: Mon 2 July, Visé > Tournai 207 km
3, Road stage: Tues 3 July, Orchies > Boulogne-sur-Mer 197 km
4, Road stage: Weds 4 July, Abbeville > Rouen 214 km
5, Road stage: Thurs 5 July, Rouen > Saint-Quentin 197 km
6, Road stage: Fri 6 July, Épernay > Metz 210 km
7, Road stage: Sat 7 July, Tomblaine > La Planche des Belles Filles 199 km
8, Road stage: Sun 8 July, Belfort > Porrentruy 154 km
9, Time trial: Mon 9 July, Arc-et-Senans > Besançon 38 km
10, Road stage: Weds 11 July, Mâcon > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine 194 km
11, Mountains : Thurs 12 July, Albertville > La Toussuire – Les Sybelles 140 km
12, Mountains : Fri 13 July, Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Annonay 220 km
13, Road stage: Sat 14 July, Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Le Cap d’Agde 215 km
14, Road stage: Sun 15 July, Limoux > Foix 192 km
15, Road stage: Mon 16 July, Samatan > Pau 160 km
16, Mountains: Weds 18 July, Pau > Bagnères-de-Luchon 197 km
17, Mountains: Thurs 19 July, Bagnères-de-Luchon > Peyragudes 144 km
18, Road stage: Fri 20 July, Blagnac > Brive-la-Gaillarde 215 km
19, Time trial: Sat 21 July, Bonneval > Chartres 52 km
20, Road stage: Sun 22 July, Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Élysées 130 km

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