Cav heads race for green

If the green jersey was awarded for the best sprinter in the peloton then there would be few doubting its probable destination. But while points are awarded for the top 20 finishers at the end of each stage there are also points up for grabs at two intermediate sprints during each stage - while the eventual winner must, of course, actually make it to Paris.

In Oscar Freire and Thor Hushovd, the peloton for this year's race contains two previous green jersey winners - but no one comes close to the record six wins amassed by retired German sprinter Erik Zabel.

Even Cavendish (pictured) himself admits that he's the fastest man on two wheels - but that alone will not win him green. Since he blitzed four stages in last year's Grande Boucle, the 24-year-old has added three Giro wins and two victories in Switzerland this term - not to mention his outstanding Milan-San Remo scalp. With no Olympics to prepare for at the end of the summer, Cav will have no excuses if he fails to make it to Paris - especially after controversially pulling out of May's Giro to focus on the Tour. Having Zabel as an advisor will certainly help and if he gets through the mountains and contests a few intermediate sprints, there should not be much stopping Cavendish becoming the first Briton since Robert Millar in 1984 to win a jersey.

The Big Norwegian won green in 2005 and has six Tour stage victories to his name, including one in last year's race before a certain Manxman arrived on the scene. Even Hushovd will admit he's not the best sprinter in the peloton, but he will contest all the intermediate sprints, finish consistently high and certainly make it to Paris. After eight years at Credit Agricole, being at a new team has brought out the best in the 31-year-old, who has wins in California and Catalunya to his name this season, plus a strong showing in the classics.

Another rider who knows what its like to win green, Freire, at 33, is the oldest and most experienced amongst the runners for the points jersey. The three-time world champion wore green from stage nine all the way to Paris last year and has displayed fine form this year to bag two stages in the Tour of Romandie. The Spaniard's staying power and ability to ride the intermediate sprints will act in his favour - and might just make him the favourite.

The man so narrowly beaten by Cavendish in San Remo, Haussler nevertheless has had an extraordinary breakthrough season since joining Cervelo from Gerolsteiner. The "German Kangaroo" was all-conquering for a period in the spring, rushing to victories in Qatar, Paris-Nice and the Algarve with apparent ease and a kick to savour. Some fear the 25-year-old has peaked too early, but a well-earned rest in May and some heavy training since should see Haussler in the centre of all the action this year.

It has been a quite season so far for the Italian but with a couple of minor wins to his name and months of preparation behind him, the 28-year-old looks to be rolling back into contention for green. Before a leg injury last year, Bennati was one of the only men to match Cavendish for speed, equalling his rival's hoard of three Giro wins before taking a further two in the Vuelta after sitting out the Tour. If Bennati shows similar form, he has what it takes to mix it with the best. All will rely on his fitness.

The young German is Zabel's heir at Milram after making the switch from Columbia at the end of last season. No longer having to lead out Cavendish to the line, it will be fascinating to see how the 22-year-old fares against his old team-mate. Perhaps too young to be a top contender for green, Ciolek is still a good outside bet - and gained praise this week from Bernard Hinault, who predicted great things from the former under-23 champion. A stage win looks likely.

Not an out-and-out sprinter as such, but Kirchen has staying power and a will to sniff out his chances. In the absence of Alejandro Valverde, Kirchen is the kind of guy who can take the bunch by surprise and nick a stage win. The 30-year-old wore green for six days last year and is not afraid of contesting intermediate sprints.

The American makes his Tour debut on the back of a solid season. Twice two times in the Giro, the 25-year-old has picked up wins in Tirreno-Adriatico and the Delta Tour Zeeland this season. No way as fast as Cavendish, Farrar may however surprise a few people with his speed.

Not the most explosive of sprinters, but Colombian Duque is both consistent and persistent. The 29-year-old was fourth in last year's standings but has yet to win a stage in the Tour.

Following the absence of Robbie McEwen and Gert Steegmans, the 28-year-old Italian has found himself Katusha's top dog in the sprinting stakes.

The Italian classics specialist came second in Paris-Roubaix and has one Tour stage to his name, back in 2005. No longer acting as lead-out man to Alessandro Petacchi or Tom Boonen, Pozzato will have freedom to try his own hand.

Consistent and experienced, the New Zealander will not trouble the big guns for victories but will linger like the smell of freshly chopped grass in most bunch finishes.

Depending on the 11th-hour outcome of Boonen's appeal to race, Quick Step will either field the gritty Australian outsider Davis or their main man. Despite the difficulty of the last two months, the Belgian would certainly be one of the major contenders for green. He has six Tour stages to his name and won the points jersey in 2007 before the first of his two bans for cocaine came into action. Boonen's replacement lacks explosiveness, but should place in the top ten of most sprint finishes.