Tour de France, 2010: Prologue overview

October 13, 5:11 PMCycling ExaminerJames Raia

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Image courtesy of www.letour.fr

There's always a lot of speculation from "insiders" around Europe as the annual Tour de France presentation approaches. Some of it proves accurate, other prognosticators' information is worth less than a tossed used water bottle.

Regardless, on the eve of the 2010 Tour de France announcement, here's the official information about the prologue and stage 1 from the race's official web site. Distances are not listed.

The Grand Départ from Rotterdam will be the fifth time the race will starts in the Netherlands. It was in Amsterdam, in 1954, the start of the Tour de France first took place outside French borders.

Saturday 3rd July

Prologue, Rotterdam-Rotterdam

The 2010 Tour will be launched from the south side of Rotterdam. The launching pad will actually be set up in Zuidplein, from where the riders will move north. The first stretch will take them to the majestic Erasmus Bridge. At this point, it is not the minor incline that will play havoc with the champions’ rhythm, but the wind that sweeps relentlessly across the estuary.

After a sharp bend to the right, the route will wind back up the course of the New Meuse River. The transfer back to the left bank will be made via the two bridges that cross the “Nordereiland” peninsula. To arrive at the finish the riders will follow the same avenue but in the opposite direction.

To read more about the 2010 Tour de France, visit:

Watch the Tour de France presentation for free on the Internet

Tour de France 2010 Presentation scheduled Oct. 14

Tour de France, 2010: A double ascent of the Col du Tourmalet?

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