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2012 Tour de France prologue in Liege extended by 300 meters

By Cycling News

published 23 April 2012

Road constructions causes route change

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Christian Prudhomme announces the 2012 Tour de France route.(Image credit: AFP)

The 2010 Tour de France prologue will take place at a time which avoids a potential conflict with a Dutch World Cup game.(Image credit: Sirotti)

2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, Philippe Gilbert and Thomas Voeckler on stage with a 2012 Tour de France route map.(Image credit: AFP)

The 2012 Tour de France will be 300 meters longer than planned. Specifically, the prologue on Saturday, June 30, which has been extended, due to road construction.

Gilbert "very disappointed" by 2012 Tour de France start in Liège

Tour de France finish in Liege said to be changed for Gilbert

The prologue will now run 6.4km through downtown Liege “We wanted to make the prologue of this Tour identical to that of 2004, but that is just not possible,” said sport director Jean-Francois Peschaux.

The flat course from 2004, which combined the city with a ride along the Meuse River, was won by Fabian Cancellara, then with Fassa Bartolo. Only 23 years old, it was his breakthrough success, as he rode the third fastest prologue in Tour history to date and beat Lance Armstrong by two seconds.