1 Jan Ullrich (Germany) T-Mobile.
Age 31.
Tour record: 1st (1997), 2nd (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003), 4th (2004).
Without Armstrong, the German would be a six-time winner, but having dropped to fourth last year, his time might have gone.
Early-season form patchy as usual, but comes to the Tour fitter than for some years.
2 Andreas Kloden (Germany) T-Mobile.
Age 30.
Tour record: 26th (2001), 2nd (2004).
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A surprise package last year, but with Alexandre Vinokourov and Ullrich in the same team the 2000 Olympic road race bronze medallist is not guaranteed top billing this time.
Talented, but fragile and under prepared after opting out of all racing earlier in the season
3 Ivan Basso (Italy) Team CSC.
Age 27.
Tour record: 11th (2002), 7th (2003), 3rd (2004).
The only rider to match Armstrong in the mountains last year, taking a stage win at La Mongie and surprising a few, not least the American, with his resilience.
Improving his time trialling, a weakness, but fell apart in the mountains at the Giro and short of miles since.
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4 Thomas Voeckler (France) Bouygues Telecom.
Age 26.
Tour record: 119th (2003), 18th (2004).
Sent France into frenzy a year ago by claiming yellow jersey and hanging on to it for 11 days. Rode maturely and strongly thereafter too.
Not a fluid enough climber to mix it with Armstrong and company in the big stages, but tough and spirited. Top 10 finish possible.
5 Michael Rogers (Australia) Quick Step.
Age 25.
Tour record: 42nd (2003), 22nd (2004).
The world time trial champion who recently announced his challenge for the Tour by finishing second in the Tour of Switzerland.
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Has a rival for the team’s attention in the charismatic Tom Boonen. Young and inexperienced, but an interesting outsider.