Rugged Tour Course Favors Roche

Stephen Roche, an Irishman long overshadowed by compatriot Sean Kelly, begins the 26-day Tour de France bicycle race today as the favorite on a rugged course that favors mountain climbers over flat-road riders.

Colombia’s Luis Herrera, winner of the Tour of Spain in the spring and widely considered the world’s best mountain rider, is expected to give Roche a close fight to see who will succeed defending champion Greg LeMond, the first winner ever from the United States.

LeMond’s chance to defend his 1986 victory ended when he suffered gunshot wounds in a hunting accident in April.

Twenty-three nine-man teams begin the 2,500-mile race with a 3 3/4-mile start from West Berlin.

Roche, leader of the Italian-based Carrera team, last month showed he has overcome a series of injuries in recent years by winning the Tour of Italy, the first major stage-race victory of his career.

Kelly, the world’s top rider the past three years, developed a groin injury late in the race and was forced to pull out of the Tour of Spain while holding a comfortable lead.

Herrera, leader of the Cafe de Colombia team, should feel at home on the 10 stages with high mountain climbs, including five in the Alps that end with steep climbs.

Andy Hampsten, a surprising fourth last year while riding for La Vie Claire, is the top American hope as leader of the 7-Eleven team.

The race ends July 26 with the traditional laps of the Avenue des Champs Elysees in Paris.