In the King of the Mountains competition, Richard Virenque could be in contention if he manages to recapture his best climbing form.

BBC: Quick Step-Davitamon

If free soloing (using only rock shoes, without the protection of a rope) is the purest form of climbing, then aid soloing is the slowest, most cumbersome kind one can imagine, mixing, as it does, terror and tedium.

WSJ: Training for the Big Wall | By Michael J. Ybarra

Should Goubert hit top form again, the team could well find themselves climbing further up the ranks, especially if Halgand can produce a more consistent run throughout the race.

BBC: Jean Delatour

But if the Welshman, whose record is now 18-5-1, does manage to recapture the form and desire of three years ago, do not bet against him swiftly climbing the rankings towards the crown he once wore.

BBC: Gammer takes heart despite loss