July 1/10 18:43 pm - Two Days Until Tour Begins

Posted by Editoress on 07/1/10
 

The team presentation for the 2010 Tour de france took place earlier today in the starting town of Rotterdam, in the Netherlands.  The race will begin with an eight kilometre Prologue time trial in Rotterdam, followed on Sunday by a 224 kilometre road stage from Rotterdam into Belgium, finishing in the capital of Brussels, a second Belgian stage on Monday of 192 kilometres (Brussels to Spa), before finally entering France on Tuesday.  This year, the race takes a counterclockwise route around France, hitting the Alps before the Pyrenees.

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Canada has two riders in the Tour this year - Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) back for his third time, and Michael Barry with Team Sky, who will be making his first appearance at the biggest race of them all.  Both Hesjedal and Barry will be working primarily as domestiques for their team leaders - Christian Vande Velde and Bradley Wiggins, respectively - although Hesjedal could get a chance at going for a stage win.

For those who were wondering, we are in the process of setting up our Tour Fantasy Pool, which will once again be brought to you by Specialized.  Stay tuned for entry details in the next 24 hours.