I suspect that this year we will only be sure of the final entry list on July 6 i e the Unibet situation Similarly Operacion Puerto could once again deprive the race of the best riders or liberate the race of cheaters literally as they take to the starting ramp The list of riders is not final until the evening before when they sign in and have physical checks Indeed I think the Tour allows a rider to be replaced on the day Matt White or someone a few years back injured himself warming up So in essence there isn t really a day and the date lacks importance anyway S TC