2010 White Jersey
July 2nd to July 6th, 2010 (evening)
Itinerary -
What's Included -
Options
This trip will cover the Prologue in Rotterdam, the first stages through Belgium with references to the Ardennes classics, and the stage over several sections of cobbles reminiscent of Paris-Roubaix. With a timed event, wind, and difficulties more often found in one day races, these early stages could act as trouble makers for the GC contenders. While it might be too early for some to win the Tour already, options could be taken out and others may have lost the Tour by the evening of July 6th!
We'll be in Rotterdam for the Prologue and have VIP access
to the 3 following stages.
This trip has great viewing of the TDF!!!
Please read below for a daily itinerary.
Registrations:
A 25% deposit per person is required to reserve a spot. If
places are still available when we receive your application
along with deposit, you will receive notification of your
registration. If the trip is sold out, you will be given the
option to be placed on a waiting list or choice of another
trip. Waitlist order is on a first come first serve basis as
well.
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2010 TOUR DE FRANCE - White Jersey |
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Rate : $2695.00/person |
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4 nights, 5 days - July 2nd to July 6th (evening) |
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Pick up in Brussels airport/train station - Drop off at Lille TGV |
| Highlights: Prologue in Rotterdam, VIP access to 3 stages |
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OPTIONS: Trip insurance / Bike Rental / Catered viewing of Prologue |
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July 2nd While we would've typically decided on staying in Rotterdam, after visiting the city in early October 2009, we decided we would be much better served staying along the course of Stage #1 and travel into Rotterdam. Antwerp is an attractive city with plenty to see and do; its archives are Unesco World Heritage, its Cathedral is the largest structure in the country (one hectare - 4 acres) and its construction lasted nearly 180 years. The Rubens museum is located in Antwerpen and 70% of the world's diamond trade transits through town.
Once at our hotel, we'll check-in and those who wish to ride can assemble or get fitted for their bikes (if renting). A short ride to ensure proper operation will ensue. Those who prefer not to ride will be able to relax a bit or take advantage of the sights nearby.
It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few day's fun and action... of course a nice dinner will follow! |
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July 3rd Hotel Location: Antwerpen The Tour Start from Rotterdam marks the comeback of the prologue (technically a time-trial in 2009), not included in the race program for the last two years. It first appeared on the itinerary of the 1967 Tour, won by Spanish rider José Maria Errandonea. The fastest short-distance specialists of prologue time-trials were Bernard Hinault (5 wins), Eddy Merckx, Thierry Marie and Chris Boardman (3 wins each). In the 1994 Tour the British rider broke the fastest record with an average speed of 55,152 km/h Those riding will be able to backtrack some of tomorrow's stage to get to Rotterdam. The timing of the day will be based largely on the timing of the Prologue of course. Typically a Prologue would start later in the day, however, with 2010 being a World-Cup soccer year, it has been said that the Prologue would be over by the time the first games start (4:00pm). Those not riding will be taken over to Rotterdam and back. We will get to Rotterdam and those who wish can choose our optional viewing location which is catered to and located directly on course. This is the only location, directly on course, which is catered to. There will be TV's setup for viewing of the race as well as live viewing alongside the course, catering and open-bar. Viewing from elsewhere on the course will also be available for those who prefer. |
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July 4th Hotel Location: Gembloux - Belgium After leaving Rotterdam, the peloton will head for the Zeeland polders for the first part of the stage, with an itinerary sandwiched between land and sea. Wind will no doubt play a role in this tricky stage. They will then cross Flanders and pass through Antwerp (where our hotel is) before arriving in Brussels via the town of Meise where Eddy Merckx lives. The entire stage in general and arrival in Brussels is sure to draw hundreds of thousands of fans. If you've ever wondered what it might be like to ride a Tour de France stage along roads filled with spectators and raise your arms to the sky as you cross the finish-line? Today is the day it comes true! Everyone who cares to will be able to ride over the final 70km of today's stage. Those who wish to ride more can do so and those who wish to ride less will be able to do that as well. If some are not interested in riding at all, that will be quite feasible and you will be driven over the final 70km of the stage, in order to still be able to take in all of the craziness of a Tour stage.
Custom Getaways vehicle(s) with on-course accreditation will be accompanying you and providing an extra lift if necessary, and an official Tour de France vehicle will escort us over the final few kms of the course and you will cross the finish line on closed roads. Riding or not, everyone can then climb the official Tour podium to have your picture taken.
We'll then be able to tour the press and media/technical areas.
For the peloton's arrival, we will be directly overlooking the finish line to see how the pros stack up as we will have special access to the "Bulle Mangeas". Daniel Mangeas is the French commentator for the Tour de France ("La voix du Tour").
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| Once the stage is over we will make our way just south of Brussels to a hotel we like to use in the region. | |
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July 5th Yesterday's stage went over the windy coastline and through the Flanders region. Today's stage will feature some notable features of the Ardennes spring classics such as the Cote de Rosier (Liege-Bastogne-Liege). The final difficulty of the day will come just 12km from the stage finish.
We will be treated to the "Start Village" today in Brussels. The village should open around 10:00am or so. There, we will be greeted by a person from ASO who will show us around the area and explain how things work. Thanks to our passes, we will access the rider's area, meet some of the racers, see them warm-up, meet Directeurs Sportif, personalities, possible visit of team bus, etc. Tour starts are often a favorite part of our trips as the interaction with the riders/teams is unparalleled.
Once the peloton is off, we will drive out of Brussels. Those who wish to ride, can do so and those who prefer not to, will be driven further onto the course, where we will see the race go by. Depending on the exact stage itinerary we will decide to view the race in one of the key locations or possibly at the arrival in Spa. The atmosphere should be rather electric on some of the short and steep climbs. |
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July 6th Hotel Location: N/A This is unquestionably one of the highlights of the first week of the race, and a major first for this stage start and finish. Cobblestones haven’t been featured in the Tour course since 2004 and that year didn't present the same type of difficulty! There will be 7 "pavés" sectors for a total of 13,2 km, including such sections as Haveluy located just ten kms from the finish line! The stage finish itself will be located at the entrance to the notorious Tranchée d'Arenberg, one of the main difficulties in the Paris-Roubaix race. This stage is certainly receiving the attention it deserves from the pro circuit. Many of the GC contenders have already adjusted their spring calendar to include races with cobbles. We will be there to see who crosses the finish line first as we will have passes to access the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area located about 50-75 yards from the finish line.
Those who wish to ride today will be able to ride portions of the course, and we'll be sure to include one cobbled section... just to see what it's like! Once the stage is over, we will bid a fond farewell and drop-off at Lille TGV station (plenty of trains to Paris CDG airport, Paris or Brussels) |
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- Transfer from Brussels airport/train - Transfer to Lille TGV station - All transfers throughout trip as needed
- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (4 nights). - Deluxe Air-conditioned, Minibuses with on-course accreditations - Seeing the Prologue (July 3rd) in Rotterdam live (optional preferred viewing)
- Exclusive VIP ride of stage #1 with official Tour
Vehicle escort
just hours before the peloton
- Visit of technical/media areas
- VIP access to stage
start and rider's enclosure (Stage #2 - July 5th) - Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader - Bike Mechanic - Guides - Support Staff - Excellent staff to guest ratio of about 1:3 / 1:4 - Tour de France Road Book (not available to the general public) showing full details of stages, profiles etc etc - Tour de France tourist guide (not available to the general public) - Tour de France welcome package - Discount card for Official Tour de France stores - Cycling Jersey - 2 or more ride distances daily - Detailed cue-cards, directions, maps, profile of stages, etc. - Special Tour de France gift - Memories to last a lifetime! |
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- Viewing of Prologue in Rotterdam from private/catered Lounge-restaurant located on course = 225 euros
- Rental
Bikes. Full carbon Frame w/ Ultegra group with
compact cranks (34x 25/27 low gear) |
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