The opening prologue of the race will hand the yellow jersey over to the rider who completes the 6.4km time trial quickest. The biggest contenders will be the power riders, such as 2004 Liege prologue winner Fabian Cancellara, but because the course twists and turns they will have to be "skillful," says Tour legend Bernard Hinault. "It's very technical, with no hiding places," he adds. "You really have to recon this route well to know exactly where the difficulties lie."