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In the first of several 2009 Tour de France previews, Felix Lowe looks at the main contenders for the white jersey.

The white jersey, or maillot blanc, was introduced to the Tour de France in 1975 to signify the best rider under the age of 26.

Since its introduction, 29 riders have won the white jersey and three riders - Laurent Fignon (1983), Jan Ullrich (1997) and Alberto Contador (2007) - have also taken the leader's yellow jersey in the same year.

Andy Schleck (Lux, Saxo Bank) ****

White jersey winner last year, Schleck (pictured) remains the man to beat amongst the youngsters. The 24-year-old proved his climbing pedigree with a solid 12th place in 2008 and has this year added a classic - Liege-Bastogne-Liege - to his bow. With brother Frank's fitness uncertain, Schleck junior may emerge sole team leader at Saxo Bank. The fact that the penultimate day's stage goes up the Ventoux should help Schleck but while a place on the podium is definitely possible we will have to wait longer before a fourth rider wins both the white and yellow in Paris.

Roman Kreuziger (Cze, Liquigas) ****

Or will we? One place below Schleck in last year's Tour, Kreuziger will be pressing his young rival all the way to Paris for the white jersey. With Ivan Basso sitting out the race, Kreuziger, Franco Pellizotti and Vincenzo Nibali offer Liquigas an explosive trident of options in the General Classification. With overall victories in this year's Tour of Romandie and last year's Tour of Switzerland, the 23-year-old already knows what it's like to be a winner and looks destined for a top-10 finish. But given his all-round abilities and self-belief, a podium position cannot be ruled out.

Robert Gesink (Ned, Rabobank) ****

The great Dutch hope of his generation, Gesink rode to seventh place in last year's Vuelta and makes his Tour debut this year as Denis Menchov's key wing-man in the mountains. An excellent climber and fast-improving time-trialist, the lanky 22-year-old took third in the Amstel Gold this year and missed the Dauphine podium by one place. He might not quite have the calibre of Schleck or Kreuziger, but a top-10 place must be a target.

Vincenzo Nibali (Ita, Liquigas) ***

While Nibali lacks the tactical awareness of his team-mate Kreuziger, he shares his powerful engine and remains one to watch. Nineteenth last year in his debut Tour, the 24-year-old showed he is no wheel-sucker. If he could now be more selective about when he attacks, the Italian should prove a handful for even the most experienced heads in the peloton. Nicknamed 'The Shark', Nibali has had a quiet season but will be sharpening his jaws for July. A stage win and top-10 finish are realistic targets.

Tony Martin (Ger, Columbia-Highroad) ***

A time-trialing-specialist-cum-climber, Martin makes his Tour debut this year on the back of some fine form. Victory in the Paris-Nice mountains classification was topped by a second-place in the Tour of Switzerland last month and another climbing gong. The German 24-year-old is a huge prospect and could be one of this year's surprise packages.

Dan Martin (Ire, Garmin) **

A solid climber with cycling running through his veins - Martin's uncle is Stephen Roche - the Irish 23-year-old is making his Tour debut. He'll be quiet early on, but once the roads go uphill, expect the same fireworks that saw him ride to second place in the Tour of Catalunya.

Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa, Caisse d'Epargne) **

With Alejandro Valverde ruled out of the Tour, a lot more responsibility will lie on the shoulders of Sanchez, who will act as team-mate Oscar Pereiro's right-hand-man in the mountains. A stage winner last year, Spain's former ITT national champion pipped compatriot Alberto Contador to take this year's Paris-Nice. Like Valverde, his three-week stage race credentials are still open to debate, but the 25-year-old has the form and experience to improve on his 62nd position last year.

Nicolas Roche (Ire, Ag2R) **

It has taken some time but the son of double Grand Tour winner Stephen Roche is finally emerging from the shadow of his illustrious father. Thirteenth in last year's Vuelta, the 24-year-old enters his debut Tour on the back of becoming Ireland's national road-race champion.

Peter Velits (Svk, Milram) **

A solid racer who finished 58th in his debut Tour last year, the Slovakian 24-year-old will benefit from Milram having no real card to play in the GC. Mixed form, but will try and get into breakaways and is a useful ITT rider.

Outsiders: Remi Di Gregorio (Fra, FdJ, 23), Eduardo Gonzalo (Spa, Agritubel, 25), Chris Anker Sorensen (Dan, Saxo Bank, 24), Yuri Trofimov (Rus, Bbox, 25), Rigoberto Uran (Col, Caisse d'Epargne, 22), Mikhail Ignatiev (Rus, Katusha, 24) - all *

(* signifies rating)

Felix Lowe / Eurosport