2012 Tour de France Cyclists To Watch

Bradley Wiggins

Since winning the Criterium du Dauphine, Paris-Nice and the Tour de Romandie this year, Wiggins is the cyclist to beat in this year's Tour de France.

Cadel Evans

Despite a quiet start to 2012, the Aussie plans to defend his 2011 title -- he's confident knowing that he already did it once. Evans is supported by a strong team, who will give him every chance to repeat.

Mark Cavendish

The winner of the 2011 Tour de France sprinter's jersey said he's focusing on the Olympic road race, leaving this year's sprinters' race wide open. Cavendish is often described as the world's fastest sprinter, so winning a few stages isn't out of his reach, especially with the increase in Time Trials.

Frank Schleck

Schleck, who took third behind Cadel Evans and younger brother Andy Schleck in last year's Tour de France, returns for another year eyeing the yellow jersey. His team will be without his brother Andy, who pulled out after a pelvis fracture sustained in the Criterium du Dauphine.

George Hincapie

Hincapie, the most recent American to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour, will become the first ever cyclist to start the Tour de France 17 times. This year, he'll help teammate Cadel Evans defend the yellow jersey.

Levi Leipheimer

The American veteran, with strong time trial races, is always a threat in longer stage races. He's finished in the top ten at the Tour de France four times, and made the podium in 2007.

Robert Gesink

After an early crash left him in 32nd in last year's Tour de France, the Netherlands' Gesink has been on the rise. He won last year's Tour of Oman and this year's Tour of California, putting him in prime position to contend in the Tour.

Ryder Hesjedal

Hesjedal brought home a Giro d'Italia victory this year, a first for a Canadian. He looks to improve upon his 6th place finish in the 2010 Tour, which was the highest finish ever for Canada.

Vincenzo Nibali

Italy's Nibali returns to the Tour de France for the first time since 2009, and with a Spanish Vuelta victory under his belt (2010), he looks to be an outside challenger for the yellow jersey.

Alejandro Valverde

The odds are stacked against Valverde, as he just returned to competitive cycling after serving a ban in January and is racing his first Tour de France since 2008. But with the support of his team, the Spaniard hopes to make the podium in this year's Tour.

Denis Menchov

Menchov, who finished second in the 2010 Tour de France (after Contador was stripped of his title), could sneak up on the leaders in the mountain stages. Also an excellent time trialist, the Russian will take advantage of the many time trials in 2012.