The Tour de France, what can be said about this iconic event which has not already been written? It is undisputedly the biggest race of the season and this year's race marks a watershed moment for Team Sky as they make their long-awaited debut at La Grande Boucle.

In Bradley Wiggins, the team possesses a rider who is already being touted as one of the Tour's main contenders and the 30-year-old will be looking to improve on his remarkable fourth-placed finish of 2009. He will be aided in his attempt by eight hugely-committed riders who strike a perfect balance of youth and experience.

Steve Cummings, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Serge Pauwels and Michael Barry are all making their Tour debuts, while the remaining riders have wracked up 16 previous appearances between them.

It all gets under way with a relatively long prologue around Rotterdam's city centre. Early predictions suggest that up to a million fans could line the 8.9km route so the atmosphere should to be as electric as the action itself.

The circuit looks a straightforward one, and with no significant lumps, bumps or tight corners to contend with, it's going to be fast. The Dutch weather could play a significant role in who takes the yellow jersey though, with the Erasmusbrug and Willembsbridge both very exposed to any winds sweeping in off the North Sea. Expect to see only the strongest time triallers contesting things here.

TV Coverage: Live on British Eurosport between 1600-1900* and on Eurosport HD between 1630-1900*. Viewers can also watch live online at www.eurosportplayer.co.uk

*Times subject to change