2010 TDF | Stage 1 The stage profile for the 224km stage from Rotterdam to Brussels screams bunch sprint but there should be plenty of shenanigans along the way. A skittish bunch on the first open road stage will mean for lots of spills and thrills as the field races along the narrow Dutch roads - and to throw in to the mix all that nasty Dutch street furniture seems a cruel an unusual punishment. Even more exciting will be the chaos that ensues should the wind blow in from the North Sea. Nothing like a flatland echelon bashfest to sort out the grimpeurs from the rouleurs. Whatsmore, with the chunks of time lost in the Prologue considerably larger than would have been anticipated by Directeurs Sportif Riis, White and Brailsford, it will be Saxo Bank, Garmin and Sky even more keen to animate things than Bruyneel and his Radioshack tough guys - which is nothing but bad news for Team Astana but brilliant news for cycling fans. My tip: Cav rediscovers his mojo on cycling’s biggest stage and takes the win. Farrar and a rejuvenated McEwen hot on his heels.

2010 TDF | Stage 1

The stage profile for the 224km stage from Rotterdam to Brussels screams bunch sprint but there should be plenty of shenanigans along the way.

A skittish bunch on the first open road stage will mean for lots of spills and thrills as the field races along the narrow Dutch roads - and to throw in to the mix all that nasty Dutch street furniture seems a cruel an unusual punishment.

Even more exciting will be the chaos that ensues should the wind blow in from the North Sea. Nothing like a flatland echelon bashfest to sort out the grimpeurs from the rouleurs. Whatsmore, with the chunks of time lost in the Prologue considerably larger than would have been anticipated by Directeurs Sportif Riis, White and Brailsford, it will be Saxo Bank, Garmin and Sky even more keen to animate things than Bruyneel and his Radioshack tough guys - which is nothing but bad news for Team Astana but brilliant news for cycling fans.

My tip: Cav rediscovers his mojo on cycling’s biggest stage and takes the win. Farrar and a rejuvenated McEwen hot on his heels.

Notes