Prologue Time Trial
Sat, July 3

About Prologue Stage
By Chris Brewer
The race gets going in the industrial port town of Rotterdam.  Starting late afternoon the riders will race solo against the clock, the short flat TT allowing both the strong sprinters and the TT specialists to get a first chance at wearing yellow, possibly for several days ahead.  And for the GC hopefuls, it’s a day to show that you’re ready to go – anything less than a Top 10 finish will set tongues wagging that maybe you’re not ready for what lies ahead…

About Rotterdam
By Rachel Horn
After a two-year absence, the prologue time trial returns to the Tour in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. Rotterdam, the largest seaport in Europe, is considered the most athletic city in the Netherlands. It has hosted the Red Bull Air Race, the final game of the Euro 2000 football championship, the Davis Cup and the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, and the annual Fortis Marathon.

With about 600,000 inhabitants, Rotterdam's diverse population represents 174 nationalities. The city—often called Manhattan on the Maas—is known for its innovative architecture. The Tour route goes through the city center and crosses the famous Erasmus Bridge over the Maas River.  The route is flat and straight, and passes by sites such as the Theater de Evanaar, the Entrepot neighborhood and the Luxor Theater.