Fernando Alonso’s Indy 500 odds slashed as Spaniard impresses

It’s now less than two weeks until the 101^st running of the famous Indianapolis 500 race, and the odds on a shock first-time winner have come tumbling down.

This wouldn’t be just any first-time winner though, it would be a rookie.

And it wouldn’t be just any rookie. It would be Fernando Alonso.

The Mclaren-Honda ace threw us the biggest curveball of the year by announcing that he is skipping the Monaco Grand Prix to contest the historic showpiece at the Brickyard.

Our traders, initially and understandably sceptical of the Spaniard’s chances, served up odds of 16/1 on Alonso winning at Indy upon reaction to the news.

But having completed a private test day a fortnight ago, before an official session yesterday, those odds have been cut right in to 6/1.

The two-time Formula One world champion topped Monday’s practice session for rookies and returnees, lending more weight to the theory that he could be a serious contender.

Alonso has made clear of his intention to win motorsport’s heralded triple crown of the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 and Le Mans.

And having won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2006 and 2007, he’s achieved one leg of the trio.

Only Graham Hill has ever completed the feat.

The Brit won in Monaco five times in the 1960s, in addition to the 500 in 1966 and Le Mans in 1972.

Alonso’s solid performances in practice has seen his odds slashed elsewhere too.

It’s now just 10/1 from 20/1 that he starts the event from pole position.

And you can get 5/2 – from 5/1 – on him coming home in the top three.

But don’t forget, Alonso isn’t out to finish in the top three, he’s out to win, and our odds suggest it’s now highly possible.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing