The course: 260.4 km. Departure Maastricht, arriving in Valkenburg.

Participation: 24 teams (maximum 8 riders)
Omega Pharma, AG2R La Mondiale, BMC, Euskaltel, HTC, Katusha, Lampre,
Leopard, Liquigas, Movistar, Astana, Quick Step, Rabobank, Saxo Bank, Sky
Garmin, RadioShack and Vacansoleil (1st Division), Cofidis, Farnese
Landbouwkrediet, Skil, Willems Veranda’s and Topsport (2nd division)

Favorites: Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Damiano Cunego
(ITA) Frank Schleck (LUX), Alexandre Vinokourov (KAZ), Robert Gesink (NED)
Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP), Alexandre Kolobnev (RUS), Andy Schleck (LUX), Johnny
Hoogerland (NED)

Notably absent: Alberto Contador (ESP), Cadel Evans (AUS), Vincenzo
Nibali (ITA), Ivan Basso (ITA), Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR)

Victories:
45 editions played since the inception of the event in 1966. 17 wins
for the Netherlands, 10 for Belgium, 5 from Italy, Germany and 3 for
Switzerland, 2 for France and 1 from Australia, Denmark, Kazakhstan,
Luxembourg and Russia
Record Wins: 5 by Jan Raas (PBS) between 1977 and 1982

The last ten winners:
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: Serguei Ivanov (RUS)
2010: 1. Philippe Gilbert (BEL)
2. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) at 2 sec
3. Enrico Gasparotto (ITA) at 2 sec