(Phil Wrochna is managing editor of firstoffthebike.com and Radio SEN's cycling commentator. He will be filing daily his Touroscopy for BPL over the next three weeks.)

And the Tour de France for 2010 is go! With the rain coming down the riders of the 2010 Tour de France got their race underway last night in Rotterdam. The course wasn't too technical but with the rain and 12 corners to negotiate in the 8.9km flat stage the big hitters of the Tour were going to have be at their best as time lost early on has to be made up further down the road.

For only a short stage it is a big day for the riders. They ride the course, make their way to the team warm up area where they warm up for at least 45 minutes. They must be on the start line with their motors 'hot'. The pressure and noise is enormous as the cycling mad European crowds flock to the start to see their idols. Over 2000 media accompany the Tour each day so the riders must be mentally tough to block out the hype.

The bikes were examined throughly before the giving weight to the notion that the UCI is paranoid about bike doping. A number of bikes, it was rumoured, were X-rayed to make sure everything was legal. Probably the last thing the governing body of cycling thought they would be doing.

Who's Hot ...

Fabian Cancellara - The big Swiss man with the big engine powered his way around the course. He is strong and fearless and held his nerve through the wet corners for a result that brought him the Yellow Jersey. Cancellara is beast of a man and proved his mettle against the clock once again.

Lance Armstrong - The Boss is back! Lance rode a brilliant time trial. He was on the pace for most of the course. We all know he doesn't care for an early yellow jersey and will be very comfortable in what he has achieved. Post-stage, Armstrong said: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. It was a good ride, I felt good, the team looked good, but this is a long three weeks, beginning tomorrow, into the pave, then into the Alps."

Tony Martin - Martin has carried his form through the season to almost take the day. Making him stay at the end and see his reaction when the big hitters hit the line was just lame though. He has plenty of other things to do than sit there ice-dancing style watching guys come across the line.

SBS - Good opening for the broadcaster. Mike Tomolaris was his usual self and the taste of France was mercifully short. The combination of Liggett and Sherwin is also a winner.

Who's Not ...

Brad Wiggins - The Wiggins camp gambled early to get him on the course before the heavens opened. As he left on his journey the rain came and the brakes came on for Wiggins. This is nothing short of a disasterfor him as he ended up in 77th place some 56 seconds down on Cancellara and 35 on Armstrong. The question is where is he going to make up the 30+ seconds on the likes of Contador, Armstrong et al? He needs to ride smart and limit any losses in the first week to give himself the best chance of erasing the deficit.

Andy Schleck - Andy Schleck climbs like an angel but time trials like a boat anchor. His 122nd on the stage put him behind the likes of Robbie McEwen and Stuart O'Grady. Not what he would have hoped for. But on the side of Schleck is his ability to rip away in the mountains. He will have no trouble finding time. If anything this gives him incentive to attack the other big GC riders.

The Road Ahead ....

The riders now turn their attention to the open road. The 223km stage from Rotterdam to Brussels will be flat. The high point of the day rises to a lofty 26 metres. A day for the sprinters. The ace for the green jersey starts and Mark Cavendish would be favorite to win the stage. The bunch will be nervous though and the favorites will be trying to keep themselves out of trouble as crashes generally accompany the opening of a Grand Tour.

Top Ten - General Classification

Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 0:10:00

Tony Martin (Ger) Team HTC - Columbia 0:00:10

David Millar (GBr) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:20

Lance Armstrong (USA) Team Radioshack 0:00:22

Geraint Thomas (GBr) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:00:23

Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:00:27

Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin - Transitions 0:00:28

Levi Leipheimer (USA) Team Radioshack

Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Sky Professional Cycling Team 0:00:32

Linus Gerdemann (Ger) Team Milram 0:00:35

Some of the top Aussies:

14 Michael Rogers (Aus) Team HTC - Columbia 0:00:35

23 Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 0:00:39

41 Brett Lancaster (Aus) Cervelo Test Team 0:00:49

54 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Sky Professsional Cycling Team 0:00:50