Course The panhandle-shaped 7.1km prologue course is in the eastern part of Strasbourg, a kilometer from the ancient heart of the city with its spired cathedral and picturesque canals. The start and finish are close to the race headquarters in the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès. After a short section of divided highway, the circuit takes a clockwise direction around a 5km loop that passes old ramparts and modern buildings of the European Parliament. The course is completely flat on wide, tree-lined city streets.

History The Tour de France last started in Strasbourg in 1953, some 14 years before the prologue time trial was introduced to the Tour. Only once has a Tour time trial finished in Strasbourg; that was in 1985, when Bernard Hinault won the 75km stage 8 from Sarrebourg by 2:20 over runner-up Stephen Roche.

Prologue: Strasbourg 7.1km

Favorites Last year's winner of the Stage 1 opening time trial, David Zabriskie (CSC), may be among the favorites to take the first yellow jersey, but he’ll be facing many other rivals, including specialists like 2003 prologue winner Brad McGee (Française des Jeux), comeback rider David Millar (Saunier Duval), Olympic pursuit gold medalist Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis) and Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d’Épargne), along with sprinters Thor Hushovd (Crédit Agricole) and Tom Boonen (Quick Step), and certain overall contenders like Jan Ullrich (T-Mobile), Paolo Savoldelli and George Hincapie (both Discovery Channel).