You are here: Home > Events > Sports > Tour de France Rotterdam
Tour de France Rotterdam 2010
The Tour de France is the most prestigious and best known bicyle race of the world. The race attracts cyclists from all over the world who compete approximately 23 days and finish the Tour in Paris. The Tour de France has passed Rotterdam a few times in the past, but in 2010 it will be the first time that the Tour Start (the Grand Depart) takes place in Rotterdam! Most of the Tour de France festivities will take place around Zuidplein in the south of Rotterdam. At Zuidplein you can find the Zuidplein shopping mall, but also Rotterdam's multifunctional venue Ahoy Rotterdam. In the Zuiderpark (Park of South) next to Ahoy Rotterdam there will be room for ten thousands of people who can enjoy the start of the Tour de France. There will be a French atmosphere with international artists performing.
At Thursday the 1st of July the participating teams will be presented to the crowd at a stage. There will be many performances and live entertainment in the city. At Friday the 2nd of July there will be many activities organized along the course of the prologue.
At Saturday the 3rd of July the cyclists will start the Tour de France with a individual time-trial through Rotterdam. In the time-trial each rider rides individually against the clock. At this first stage (the prologue) it will be decided who wears yellow on the opening day of the Tour de France. The time-trial will start and finish in the South of Rotterdam. The start will be at Ahoy Rotterdam and the finish at Zuidplein. Both locations are very close and easy to reach.
After the start at Ahoy Rotterdam the riders will go in the direction of Rotterdam city center and pass the majestic Erasmus bridge, turn right and drive along the river Meuse, cross the river again and return in the direction of Zuidplein. They will pass the following places: Dordtselaan, Maashaven, Hillelaan, Posthumalaan, Erasmusbrug, Boompjes, Willemsbrug, Noordereiland, Koninginnebrug, Stieltjesstraat, Laan op Zuid, Dordtselaan and Zuidplein. Please scroll down to see the map of the prologue.
At the foot of the Erasmus bridge there will be a French village, where 20.000 people can follow the riders. There will be a big party at Saturday night with various famous artists to celebrate the start of the Tour de France.
At Sunday the 4th of July the Tour de France will leave Rotterdam, but before the cyclists leave they first ride through the city. The start of the first stage will be at the Erasmusbrug. After the start the cyclists will go to the Hillelaan, Maashaven, Brielselaan, Dorpsweg, Groene Kruisweg and continue on the N57 on their way to Zeeland and onwards to Antwerp and Brussels. Please scroll down to see the map of the first stage.
There will be many places to watch the riders but the expectation is that the start of the Tour de France will attract hundreds of thousands of people. We recommend to use public transportation and to book your hotel in Rotterdam or in one of the surrounding cities well in advance.
Since the start of the Tour de France in 1903 there have only been four Grand-Departs in the Netherlands, so you don't want to miss the chance to see the tourstart in Rotterdam!
DIRECTIONS Tour de France Rotterdam 2010
The Tour de France will start from Zuidplein with a time-trial at Saturday 3rd July. From Zuidplein the cyclists will drive in the direction of Rotterdam center and pass the Erasmus Bridge. After the Erasmus bridge they turn right and drive along the river Meuse, cross the river again and return in the direction of Zuidplein. They will pass the following places: Dordtselaan, Maashaven, Hillelaan, Posthumalaan, Erasmusbrug, Boompjes, Willemsbrug, Noordereiland, Koninginnebrug, Stieltjesstraat, Laan op Zuid, Dordtselaan and Zuidplein.
The start of the first stage will be at the Erasmusbrug. After the start the cyclists will go to the Hillelaan, Maashaven, Brielselaan, Dorpsweg, Groene Kruisweg and continue on the N57 on their way to Zeeland and onwards to Antwerp and Brussels.
There will be many places along the route to watch the Tour de France. We strongly recommend to come by public transport or to use one of the Park & Ride locations just outside the city. The easiest way to travel to Zuidplein is by metro to the Zuidplein stop. Other metro stops along the route are Rijnhaven, Maashaven, Wilhelminaplein, Leuvehaven and Blaak.
Map of prologue
Map of first stage
DATES Tour de France Rotterdam 2010
The start of the Tour de France in Rotterdam will take place at Saturday 3rd July 2010 with a time-trial and the first stage will take place at Sunday 4th July. The teams will be presented to the crowd at Thursday 1st July 2010 and there are many activities organized at Friday 2nd July 2010.
MORE INFORMATION Tour de France Rotterdam 2010
More information can be found on the Tour de France internet site.
REVIEWS Tour de France Rotterdam 2010
Reviews to date: 3. Page 1 of 1. Average Rating:
Mike Rotterdam
8:59am on Saturday, June 26th, 2010
Route klopt niet. Gaat over kanaal in Hellevoetsluis, niet helemaal over N57.
Barry London
10:03am on Friday, June 25th, 2010
Very informative....Thanks
EGO HARELBEKE
7:28am on Sunday, June 20th, 2010
WAAR IN BELGIE RIJD DE KOERS VOORBIJ DANKJE WEL
Add a review
