World time trial champion Fabian Cancellara (SUI) won the 2010 Tour de France prologue in wet and cool conditions in the flat course that favored the time trial specialists in 10 minutes, 0.48 seconds (53.4kph).
The pancake-flat course was an out-and-back race against the clock in the traditional, short distance prologue to click the 2010 Tour into gear.
There was a festive atmosphere in Rotterdam. Rain and wind didn’t stop tens of thousands of rowdy Dutch fans from lining the course, which started and ended near the Ahoy cycling track facility in central Rotterdam.
Hushovd should have his first shot at victory Sunday as the 97th Tour continues with the 223.5km first stage from Rotterdam to Brussels.
The route skirts the open sea in a series of bridges along western Holland before turning south into Belgium. Wind, narrow roads and a chance of rain could see crashes and splits in the main bunch, though a bunch sprint is most likely.
