Tour de France 2010

Running from Saturday July 3^rd to Sunday July 25^th 2010, the 97^th Tour de France will be made up of 1 prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,642 kilometres.

The 2010 Tour will be launched from the south side of Rotterdam (Netherlands), for a prologue time-trial. The launching pad will actually be set up in Zuidplein, from where the riders will move north.

• Wednesday 30^th June: Opening of the organisation HQ and the press centre at Ahoy’ Rotterdam. This vast complex consisting of conference rooms and exhibition halls is situated in the south of the city.
• Thursday 1^st July: Presentation of the teams for the 2010 Tour de France.
• Saturday 3^rd July: Start and finish of the first stage near Ahoy’ Rotterdam.
• Sunday 4^th July: Start of the second stage at De Heuvelpark.

Some of the top favorites or top names? 

Yes, Lance Armstrong is still in there.

also, Spain's Alberto Contador, the two-time winner and defending champion,

Ivan Basso (Italy)

Cadel Evans (Autralia)

Denis Menchov(Russia)

Carlos Sastre (Spain)

Andy Schleck (Luxembourg)

Frank Schleck (Luxembourg)

Christian Vande Velde (American)

Brad Wiggins (UK)

As is usual, the Tour is likely to be decided in the mountains.  However, the  inclusion of cobblestoned roads for the first time since 2004 could make a difference as well, if any leading contenders experience falls, flat tires, or other problems. From the Netherlands, the Tour goes on to Belgium and then into France starting with stage 3.

From there, the race goes south through France and gets into the hills.

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