Paddy Power to refund bets on Lance Armstrong if he fails a drugs test

Bookie Paddy Power, whose bet 10 get 20 free bet is the best we have, will refund all bets on legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong if the returning hero fails a drugs test in this year’s Tour De France.

Even though Armstrong has ridden under his own cloud of suspicion down the years, the seven time champion is returning to the gruelling Tour looking to restore some of professional cycling’s drug-addled reputation - as well as win a historic eighth yellow jersey.

Armstrong is the 11/2 second favourite to win the Tour De France behind hot favourite Alberto Contador at 11/10. As with many sports Paddy Power has seen a firm split between the head and the heart in the betting. The emotional money has been firmly toward Armstrong whilst Contador, winner of the Tour two years ago and considered the best rider in the world, attracts the serious wagers.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “Lance winning an eighth Tour De France would be the second greatest achievement by an Armstrong after the moon landing so it would be a travesty for cycling and Armstrong himself were he to add to the long list of failed drugs tests in the sport.

“But his backers would also be hard done by to see their punts suffer a puncture having gambled in good faith.”

With Armstrong and Contador riding for the same Astana team they are just 4/9 to top the team classification come the end of the race.

Britain’s Mark Cavendish, seen by many as the best sprinter in the world, is the hot Evens money favourite to win the green sprinters jersey. The world champion is 5/2 to win five or more stages during the Tour whilst its 10/3 he repeats last year’s performance with four stage wins and 9/2 for an unexpected zero. Cavendish, largely due to his lengthy odds to win the Tour at 300/1, is Paddy Power’s worst result in the book with a payout currently in the region of £150,000.

For the other jerseys David Moncoutie is 6/4 favourite to be crowned King of the Mountains, ahead of race favourite Contador at 5/1, whilst Andy Schleck is just 4/9 to win the white jersey for the younger riders.

PADDY POWER MONEY-BACK SPECIAL – ARMSTRONG SHOOTS FOR THE MOON
If Lance Armstrong is banned during the tour for a failed drug test, Paddy Power will refund all losing outright bets on him.

Ts & Cs: Applies to outright singles only. Applies to win part of each way bets only. We will refund on Lance Armstrong if he is confirmed as having been disqualified by the ASO. Max refund €300/£200 per customer/bet. Paddy Power Cycling Rules apply.

TOUR DE FRANCE BETTING

Tour De France Yellow Jersey Winner

11/10 Contador
11/2 Armstrong
13/2 A Schleck
8/1 Evans
14/1 Menchov
16/1 Sastre
25/1 Leipheimer
33/1 Gesink
33/1 F Schleck
40/1 Kreuziger
40/1 Rogers
40/1 Vandevelde
50/1 Kloden
50/1 Efimkin
50/1 Sanchez
80/1 Millar
300/1 Cavendish

Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3

How Many Stage Will Mark Cavendish Win?

9/2 None
9/2 One
4/1 Two
10/3 Three
10/3 Four
5/2 Five or more

Green Jersey

Evs Cavendish; 3 Freire; 11-2 Bennati; 13-2 Hushovd; 14 Farrar; 16 Haussler; 20 Kirchen; 22 Cancellara; 25 Ciolek; 66 Armstrong

Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3

King of the Mountains

6-4 Moncoutie; 5 Contador; 8 A Schleck; 10 Gesink, Moreau; 11 F Schleck; 12 Chavanel; 16 Martin; 18 Sastre; 20 Pellizotti; 22 Di Gregorio; 25 Voeckler, Anton, Martin; 80 Armstrong

Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3

White Jersey

4-9 A Schleck; 4 Gesink; 9-2 Kreuziger; 14 Martin; 16 Nibali; 22 Dekker; 33 Sorensen; 40 Lovkvist; 250 Cavendish

Others available. e/w ¼ odds 1, 2, 3

published: 2nd July 2009 by Free Bet Bookmaker

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