 In the run up to the 2013 Tour de France , Chris Froome was wideley considered as the top pre @-@ race favourite for the general classification , with his closest rivals were thought to be Alberto Contador ( Saxo – Tinkoff ) and Joaquim Rodríguez ( Team Katusha ) . Astana 's Vincenzo Nibali was also a possible contender after getting his first Tour podium in 2012 but he had focused on the 2013 Giro d 'Italia . The riders considered outsiders were BMC Racing Team riders Cadel Evans and Tejay van Garderen , Richie Porte ( Team Sky ) , Jurgen Van den Broeck ( Lotto – Belisol ) , Thibaut Pinot ( FDJ.fr ) , Ryder Hesjedal ( Garmin – Sharp ) , Robert Gesink ( Belkin Pro Cycling ) , and Movistar Team riders Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana . 
