MONTREAL, Feb. 25, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Following the recent announcement that Lance Armstrong will ride for his seventh Tour de France victory, online gamblers are wagering in favor of cycling's top professional to win this year's coveted title and set a another new record.
"Armstrong's fans really believe in him," says Mike Foreman, spokesperson for BetUS.com. "Some say a seventh win is unlikely, but gamblers who watch cycling closely are wagering a lot of money on Armstrong standing on the winner's podium once again this July."
According to Foreman, Armstrong is everyone's favorite. "Even if you don't know anything about the sport, you know who Lance Armstrong is and what he's accomplished," said Foreman. "With all that Lance has overcome in his personal life, it's as if he's become a sort of hero in the eyes of the American public."
After six consecutive wins, bettors are backing another Armstrong victory in July. Despite strong stage performances from rival riders during last year's tour, Armstrong is still the crowd favorite. His announcement to compete in July was welcome news to his competitors too. It appears that Armstrong's competitors are keen to race against the best.
"There's always a chance that another rider like Andreas Kloden or Jan Ullrich may grab the title," said Foreman. "Nevertheless, Armstrong won the 2004 race by six minutes and 19 seconds and that's a substantial win. Armstrong said last year's race was an easy win for him. I don't doubt this year will be any different," stated Foreman.
Foreman also mentioned that fans should keep an eye out for stars of the future. "The cycling profession has strong up-and-coming talent," said Foreman. "Cyclists such as Australia's Michael Rogers and Russia's Vladimir Karpets are starlight contenders for future races."
BetUS.com has Armstrong listed as the favorite at 4/7, followed by Kloden at 7/2 and Ullrich posted at 9/1. Gamblers can bet on several Tour de France competitors at BetUS.com.
Armstrong 4/7 Vinokourov 20/1 Mancebo 33/1 Ullrich 7/2 Beloki 25/1 Cioni 40/1 Kloden 9/1 Mayo 25/1 Field (unlisted) 15/1 Basso 11/2 Menchov 30/1 Valverde 12/1 Popovych 30/1
BetUS.com (http://www.BetUS.com) is one of the oldest and most respected legal online sports betting organizations in the world and is licensed and bonded in two recognized gaming jurisdictions - Canada and Costa Rica. Employing over 500 people, BetUS.com provides a safe and secure place for sports wagering to more than 100,000 clients. Members can enjoy wagering on some of their favorite sports including: football, basketball, baseball, hockey, golf and boxing. BetUS.com has been in operation for 11 years and also offers Vegas-style casino games and interactive poker.