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Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - For a defending Tour de France champion, Australian Cadel Evans has been nearly under the radar this year. Antonio Brown Nike Jersey . He hasnt made many racing starts in 2012, and he hasnt done much to garner attention in the news. But Evans will still be one of the primary favorites to win the Tour when it starts Saturday in Liege, Belgium, with a short individual time trial, also known as a prologue. Unlike recent years, the 2012 Tour places an abundance of importance on a riders time trialing ability. Three of the 20 stages will feature the rider alone against the clock -- Stage 1 (6.4 km), Stage 9 (41.5 km) and Stage 19 (53.5 km). So while overall contenders for the general classification still need to be able to climb through the mountains in the Alps and Pyrenees, they will need to be able to put together a good time trial. The rider who slips on the yellow jersey in Paris on July 22 will more than likely be one with true all- around capabilities. In other words, the course is suited to someone like Evans. Last year at the Tour, he limited his losses in the mountains and used a stellar time trial on the second-to-last stage to take the race lead from climbing specialist Andy Schleck. Now, the 35-year-old is back to try for a second Tour title. The Tour has been Evans focus of the season so far. Hes raced in only a handful of events, with some good results. Evans won the two-day Criterium International in March, then finished third at the Criterium du Dauphine -- a traditional Tour tune-up -- in early June. The man who won that event, Bradley Wiggins, is another favorite to win the Tour. Wiggins began his cycling career on the track and has strong time trialing abilities. A tall and lanky rider, Wiggins was never really viewed as a general classification contender until 2009, when he finished fourth in the Tour. The last two Tours were disappointing for the 32-year-old Briton, who struggled to a 24th-place finish in 2010 and withdrew last year because of a broken collarbone. But Wiggins finished third in the Vuelta a Espana last September, and has put together a tremendous 2012 season so far. He finished first overall at Paris- Nice in March and the Tour de Romandie in April, then took the Dauphine title several weeks ago. Additionally, Wiggins won individual time trial stages at all three races. If he can continue climbing well, Wiggins will be a major threat to earn his first grand tour victory. Wiggins and Evans will enter the race as almost co-favorites, which is a change from how the last few Tours have started. Then again, this years Tour will be without two primary protagonists in Schleck and Alberto Contador. Contador will miss the Tour as he serves a doping suspension that runs until August. The suspension is the result of a long-running case that dates back to September 2010, when it was announced he tested positive for a banned substance at that years Tour, which he later won over Schleck. The case twisted and turned through various legal systems and governing bodies, and was never resolved until this February, when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled against Contador and gave him a two-year suspension. Because of the decision, the Spaniard was stripped of many victories, including the 2010 Tour title, which then was awarded to Schleck. Contador still officially owns four grand tour titles, including Tour victories in 2007 and 09. He is a stronger climber than Evans or Wiggins, and about as good in the time trial, and his absence certainly leaves the Tour more open. Schleck will not be at the Tour because of injuries sustained at the Dauphine. It was a crushing blow to Schleck, who has twice finished in second at the Tour and centers his racing calendar around the race. But because he struggles in time trials, it would have been a major challenge for Schleck to win this Tour. A handful of other riders should figure into the GC battle, including Spains Samuel Sanchez, who has finished in the top five at the Tour in the last two years. Vincenzo Nibali skipped his countrys grand tour, the Giro dItalia, to focus on the Tour de France this season. He hasnt been at the Tour since 2009, when he finished seventh, but won the Vuelta in 2010 and owns five top-10s in grand tours over the last three seasons. Young Dutchman Robert Gesink has high aspirations for this years Tour. The 26-year-old was fifth in 2010 and struggled to 33rd last year, but won the Tour of California in May and has improved his time trial. Canadian Ryder Hesjedal enters the Tour coming off the biggest win of his career, the Giro dItalia. He will be the primary GC focus for his team, Garmin-Barracuda, but it remains to be seen how well he can perform while trying for a second consecutive grand tour title. Traditionally, Giro contenders have a tough time recovering enough to perform well at the Tour de France. If he struggles, several of his American teammates, Tom Danielson and Christian Vande Velde, have the skill sets for a good Tour result. American veterans Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer could also be in the GC picture. Several other riders will be worth watching at this years Tour, including sprinter Mark Cavendish. The Manxman will be hunting for stage wins with an eye on the Olympic road race, which takes place on home soil just six days after the end of the Tour. Hell be challenged by German Andre Greipel, who heads to the Tour with the express hope of winning sprints. Additionally, young Slovak Peter Sagan has boatloads of talent and can win on a variety of stages. Jared Cook Youth Jersey . With one penalty, Fourcade finished in 24 minutes, 58.2 seconds, just nine-tenths of a second ahead of Timofey Lapshin, who shot clean in the cold. Heath Miller Jersey Youth .C. -- The music was cranked up loud enough to shake the walls in the B. Tom Brady Jersey Youth . - Often a villain in past years when visiting Arco Arena with the Los Angeles Lakers, aging Shaquille ONeal played that role once again Friday night for the Phoenix Suns. Ray Rice Womens Jersey . There is a chance forwards Alex Ovechkin and Jason Arnott could rejoin the lineup for the game. Neither was on the ice with two frequent healthy scratches, Tyler Sloan and DJ King. Instead, forwards Jay Beagle and Jason Chimera skated with them Tuesday morning. Terrell Suggs Jersey Youth . Shutting down Evgeni Malkin may have felt better.RICHMOND, B.C. - There are 36 medals on the line at the world single distances speed skating championships, but a whole lot more than that is riding on the first and only international event at the Richmond Olympic Oval prior to the 2010 Winter Games. The competition also serves as a potentially pivotal dry run for everyone from athletes to volunteers, offering up a chance to get to know the venue and pick up little bits of information that might help make a difference once the Olympics begin next February. The dual goals of winning now and planting seeds for future success will be the Canadian teams focus when the championships open with two races Thursday, the mens 1,500 metres and the womens 3,000. "Were pretty much implementing our Olympic plan and simulation," Brian Rahill, Speed Skating Canadas high performance and Olympic program director, said Wednesday. "The major focus is to learn as much from this event here and how the organizing committee has structured the venue, because the Olympic Games is different from everything else you encounter at a World Cup. "In terms of results it doesnt change. ... Since Turin, weve varied between eight to 10 medals at this world championship and certainly we believe something in that range is achievable." Those high expectations come even though Canada will be competing without its two biggest speedskating stars at the championships, Jeremy Wotherspoon and Cindy Klassen, who are both still recovering from injuries. Yet both are still attending the event to build familiarity with the stunning facility, with Wotherspoon skating Wednesday morning just to get a feel for the place. "Its important for me," he said. "Weve skated here quite a few times this season and this week it looks a lot different, the layout of the building, what theyre using the different rooms for is a lot different, so its nice to have some experience with that. It feels like home when it comes to the Olympics next year. "Get something I can store in my mental imagery bank for preparation." In their absence, Canadas top medal contenders include Denny Morrison, Kristina Groves, Clara Hughes and Christine Nesbitt. Aside from hardware, the Canadians will also be aiming to pre-qualify for the Olympic team with a top-five finish. Their trips to the Games, howwever, will only be confirmed during the next World Cup season, when the number of berths per country gets decided. Matt Schaub Elite Jersey. Much has changed at the oval since the Canadians had their first crack at it back in September, from improvements to the ice to the installation of additional lights on the ceiling, and drapes over the windows that offer views of the mountains to the north, so the facility meets broadcasting standards. The Canadians have used their training sessions to become accustomed to all the new backdrops and quirks, something they hope gives them an edge. "I think its an advantage for sure," said Francois-Olivier Roberge of St-Nicolas, Que. "We can see when we go to Heerenveen, the Dutch are good there and when we go to Berlin, the Germans are good. If we train here for the whole year and the other countries dont really train here, Im pretty sure its going to be an advantage." A minor stir was created earlier this week when the Toronto Star quoted China coach and former Canadian speedskater Kevin Crockett as saying Speed Skating Canada was trying to limit access to the facility for athletes from other countries. Rahill said the issue was "non-existent" and indicated that no official requests have come from anyone but the Americans in the leadup to the championships. Either way, of more importance to the athletes is the state of the ice, which has been getting better reviews than it initially received. While skaters say its not fast, mostly because the venue is at sea level rather than at an altitude where there is less resistance, they seem pleased with it. "The ice feels good, its better than it was because the building is cleaner than it was before," said Roberge, "The ice is not fast, because its the altitude that makes the ice fast and here its sea level, so its not fast. But it feels really good." Dutch star Jan Bos agreed. "I feel comfortable on the ice," he said, "(but) I dont expect world records." Jenny Wolf, Germanys 500-metre star, said the ice is fine, even though it isnt suited to her strengths. "I dont really like it right now but Ill get used to it," she said. "Right now its perfect quality but you have to like it and its difficult for sprinters sometimes. But its very good ice." ' ' '