The course: 257.8 km. Check-in Maastricht, arriving in Valkenburg. Ribs 31 to pass, mainly Cauberg (Km 71 Km 182 and arrival), the Eyserbos (Km 157 and 238) and Keutenberg (km 245).

Participation: 24 teams (maximum 8 riders).
Katusha, Rabobank, Omega Pharma, Quick Step, Saxo Bank, Milram, AG2R, French Games, Lampre, Liquigas, Astana, Caisse d’Epargne, Euskaltel, Footon, Sky, Columbia, Garmin and RadioShack (Pro Tour), BMC, Cervélo Skil, Vacansoleil Landbouwkrediet and Topsport (invited)

Favorites: Alejandro Valverde (ESP), Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP), Andy Schleck (LUX), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Serguei Ivanov (RUS), Robert Gesink (NED), Alexander Kolobnev (RUS), Oscar Freire (ESP)

Notably absent: Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Alberto Contador (ESP), Fabian Cancellara (SUI), Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR), Kim Kirchen (LUX)

Victories:
44 editions played since the inception of the event in 1966. 17 wins for the Netherlands, Belgium 9, 5 for Italy, 3 for Germany and Switzerland, 2 for France, 1 from Australia, Denmark, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg and Russia.

Record Wins: 5 by Jan Raas (PBS) between 1977 and 1982.

Past winners:
2000: Erik Zabel (GER)
2001: Erik Dekker (NED)
2002: Michele Bartoli (ITA)
2003: Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ)
2004: Davide Rebellin (ITA)
2005: Danilo Di Luca (ITA)
2006: Frank Schleck (LUX)
2007: Stefan Schumacher (GER)
2008: Damiano Cunego (ITA)
2009: 1. Serguei Ivanov (RUS)
2. Karsten Kroon (NED)
3. Robert Gesink (NED) to 8 ”
4. Philippe Gilbert (BEL) 8 sec
5. Damiano Cunego (ITA) 8 sec

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