One of these eight men will win the 2008 Tour. Here, we break down each of their chances based on four key metrics.

CADEL EVANS (Aus), Silence-Lotto

Empire Cycling's Jonathan Chodroff won the first stage of the 2008 Fitchburg-Longsjo Classic race in Massachusetts on Thursday. Chodroff finished the 6.2-mile race in 16:02, followed by Bissell's Graham Howard less than a second behind. Colatvita's Luis Amaran was third at 9 seconds. In the women's race, Colavita's Kristin McGrath won with a time of 18:57, followed by Cheerwine's Catherine Cheatley at 5 seconds and Cheerwine's Stacy Marple at 11 seconds.

The Firecracker 50 cross-country mountain bike race will rumble through the streets of Breckenridge, Colorado, Friday as the nation’s best battle for the U.S. national marathon title. The grueling 50-mile race, known for its 10,800 feet of total elevation gain, kicks off at 11 a.m. sharp with a parade through the heart of the famed ski town.

This year’s edition of the Tour de France isn’t sanctioned by the UCI, so VeloNews readers have been curious whether the UCI's somewhat-infamous tech rules still apply. You’ll remember that before last year’s race, official rule clarifications led to frantic refinement of time trial bikes as teams readied them for the London prologue. That controversy centered on the use of the ‘praying landis’ position and whether or not a rider’s forearms touched his aero extensions. Race and stage favorites did modify their positions before stepping up to the start chute of the race.

Pro cycling fans may find themselves unclear who to root for at this year’s Tour de France. The list of familiar faces absent from this year’s race is as long as it is top-heavy. The exclusion of the Astana team of defending champion Alberto Contador and teammates Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden means three former podium finishers will sit out this year. It's the first instance in modern history where the previous year’s Tour winner was eligible to race, yet not invited to defend his title.

The 4th annual Iron Hill Twilight Criterium, Saturday in West Chester, Pennsylvania, is up next in the USA CRITS Series. Teams including TOSHIBA-Santo presented by Herbalife, Richmond Pro Cycling, Colavita Sutter Home presented by Cooking Light, Team Inferno Racing, Time Pro Cycling, Locos Grill & Pub, and Kelly Benefit Strategies will send their riders to the starting line in the men’s match-up.

Editor's Note: Subaru/Gary Fisher pro endurance racer Nat Ross has been sharing daily diaries from the BC Bike Race with VeloNews.com readers. Today, Ross's teammate Chris Beck is providing his perspective on the fifth stage, from Sechelt to Squamish. It’s hard to say what was the hardest thing about today’s stage. Was it the 3000 or so feet of rocky rooty single-track? Maybe. Actually it was having to climb off the bike at the finish line after 12 kilometers of the smoothest, fastest, section of downhill single track most racers claimed to have ever ridden.[nid:79147]

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American pro continental team Garmin-Chipotle presented by H30 made its Tour de France debut Thursday afternoon in Brest with the unveiling of its newly designed jersey. Flanked by Jon Cassat, Garmin’s vice president of communications, team manager Jonathan Vaughters introduced the recently re-branded squad, which has been run as Slipstream-Chipotle since the outset of the 2007 season. The team recently announced a three-year deal with Garmin, a GPS company based in Kansas.

Editor’s Note: After team leader Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for homologous blood doping during last year’s Tour de France, the entire Astana team left the race under a cloud. Vinokourov’s top lieutenant Andrey Kashechkin tried to relax by spending time with his family in Turkey. His time out of the limelight, however, was short-lived as anti-doping testers knocked on his hotel room door and asked for a sample.