COURSE: The first half of the course loops south on mostly valleyroads, with a handful of short hills, not the steep climbs of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The second half between Huy and Charleroi is on straight, rolling roads where the wind could be a factor.

FAVORITES: The straight finish favors Alessandro Petacchi and Mario Cipollini, rather than Zabel, Baden Cooke, Robbie McEwen and Oscar Freire, but watch for Belgian Tom Boonen to make a splash on his Tour debut.

STAGE 1 July 04 Liège - Charleroi (121.173mi/195km)

HISTORY: The last time the race came to Charleroi, in 1995, Erik Zabel took the first Tour stage win of his career. Unlike that finish in the city center that had a twisty, uphill run-in, the 2004 stage ends with a flat 1700-meter straightaway south of the city.

LIÈGE:
Starts: 1 (1989)
Finishes: 7 (1948-50-53-56-65-80-95)
CHARLEROI:
Starts: 1 (1975)
Finishes: 4 (1957-61-77-95)