While the gaps may form early, however, LeMond believes the race will ultimately be decided in the Alps on stages 19 and 20.

The former finishes atop La Toussuire and the latter on Alpe d’Huez and LeMond believes the final destination will only become clear after the penultimate day, rather than somebody running away with it.

“I think it will come down to the last two days of the Tour,” he stated. “La Toussuire and Alpe d’Huez will be where it is decided in my opinion and that’s great, because we won’t know until the day before the race finishes who will win.

“The competition is so close, not just with Contador, Quintana, Froome and Nibali but the likes of Tejay van Garderen, Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet who might not have been in contention because of time trials in the past – they are all going to be players.

“Valverde’s there too, Rigoberto Uran rode well at the end of the Giro and then you’ve got Rodriguez too – I’ve never seen a Tour this competitive.”