Cadel Evans of Australia says he is in good shape and hopes his form will peak during his quest to defend the Tour de France title.
Britain's Bradley Wiggins is also in top form and considered one of the favorites to win cycling's biggest event that starts on Saturday in the Belgian city of Liege, with a 6.4-kilometer prologue.
"They tell me that Wiggins is the man to beat," Evans said Thursday, but added that his BMC team is ready, stronger and confident they will retain the title with a race plan that is almost identical to the winning one of last year.
The Tour will cover nearly 3,500 kilometers over the next three weeks.
The race ends July 22 on the Champs d'Elysees in Paris.
Cadel Evans set to defend Tour de France title
