If you thought the GC was open than a blanket could be thrown over a host of riders who hope to take the coveted polka-dot jersey in 2008. A good form reference is that it has been many years since the winner of the tour has done the double by winning the KoM title, so we should probably rule out the likes of Alejandro Valverde, Cadel Evans, and Damiano Cunego.
In recent years the title has been won by a rider making a solo breakaway in an early high mountain stage, taking a stack of points and then defending the jersey to Paris . Mauricio Soler, will be looking to do the same this year after taking the polka dot jersey in just that style last year. However, he won't have the benefit of suprise this time.
Instead, recent suprise Tour de Suisse winner Roman Kreuziger may rule as King in 2008. The youngster was a tough third in the queen stage of the race before riding the field off his wheel in the mountain time trial. From a team with no real genuine GC threat (except perhaps himself!) Kreuziger may be given the freedom by the peleton to go on the kind of quest necessary to pick up sufficient points for the title.
A host of other riders wouldn't shock either. Samuel Sanzchez and any of the Euskaltel boys will be tough to beat in the Pyrenees, while David De La Fuente will probably wear the jersey in the first week at some stage. And look out for tour debutante Trent Lowe. If Slipstream give him his head, this ex-mountain bike has some real wings!
King Of The Mountains - Roman Kreuziger
Outsider - Trent Lowe
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