Open de Lyon

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Michael Lorenzo-Vera - 1 point each-way @ 33-1 (Skybet)

When looking at the stats for the week, I always take a quick early look at the following event and, when seeing this event was due I thought 'French winner' and the first name that came into my head was Lorenzo-Vera.

His name needs no real introduction to form students of the last five or so years and if looking at his past form he really should be going very close this week despite finding it hard to actually put his head in front.

In his first season on this Tour, he produced a miriad of top-tens before leading and winning the prestigious finale after opening with a course record. Probably even more significant were two of the four the runners- up, Jamie Donaldson and Joost Luiten, who of course have gone on to big things. He hasn't quite kicked on but there is enough evidence to suggest that he is due a very big one.

Injuries haven't helped the Frenchman to further his career but he has always held strong form in his home country with exceptional efforts throughout the Alps Tour, winning the Open International de la Mirabelle D’or twice amongst others. There is further evidence in his overall form in France with a handful of 'proper' finishes and his recent 4th in the Toulouse Open points to a strong return to top form. He needs a decent result over the next few events as he currently lies 12000 Euros short of that elusive top twenty.

It won't pass anyone by that he was 3rd in this event last year with a final day rush of 64, and his overall profile suggests that he is simply too big even at 33-1. 

Gary Stal - 1 point each-way @ 40-1 (Skybet)

Given that the 2011 event was won by a promising home player in Julien Quesne and four Frenchman filled the first ten places it makes sense to head even further closer to the event base. We won't get closer to home than the 20-year-old who hails from Lyon and he is yet another Frenchman who may relish the return to his own bed.

Stal is a newcomer but he is rightly regarded as one of the best prospects on the Tour and after two wins already in his first season he is surely going to go on to better things.

After winning in Austria, Stal had little to fear for the rest of the season but his effort in defeating Alexandre Kaleka in a play-off a month later showed that he had bottle as well as class. That Kelela is one of the best players on this Tour is a plus, as is his comment that Stal will win again this year (he may as well start this week!)

2009 winner Keleka is a huge danger this week but the 15-point difference is enough to force my hand to the younger man who will surely improve on last seasons 15th place finish as an amateur, especially given his third round 73 cost him a place in the final group on Sunday.