My prediction for the Prologue is Fabian Cancellara with Team Saxo Bank.  Not going out on a limb with that pick I realize, but the only other rider that jumps out as an equal contender for the Prologue is Bradley Wiggins, the British rider on the new British team, Team Sky.

Wiggins had a very good Tour last year, and is a complete rider – excels at time-trialing but also is good in the mountains.  Fabian is always a favorite, no one time-trials better than Fabian Cancellara.  He has missiles for legs and is just the consummate professional.  Always prepared and always gives it his all.

If Fabian does end up in Yellow tomorrow he could keep the Yellow jersey through Stage 6 and possibly even Stage 7, the beginning of the Alps.  Stage 3 will be very interesting as they will be riding over the cobbles.  That will be mayhem, although the Tour included the cobbles in 2004 I believe, Stage 3 this year covers more miles on them and they are later in the stage (affecting the finish).  The cobblestones could give a number of riders trouble – Contador for one, he’s never raced on them.

Alas, I’m getting ahead of myself talking about Stage 3 already.

I’ve been preaching that professional bike racing is a TEAM sport, but tomorrow professional bike racing in the form of a time trial, which essentially the Prologue is, is an individual race. Each rider rides individually with about 2 minutes between each rider’s start times.  The rider with the best time wins the Prologue.

The Prologue tomorrow, 8.9 km/5.5 miles kicks the Tour off in Rotterdam, Netherlands.  Just a taste of the Tour to get us ready for what lies ahead.