The route: 258 km.
Starting at Compiegne at 10:20 (8:20 GMT). Arrival in Roubaix
(Velodrome) about 16:45 (14:45 GMT).

Twenty-seven cobblestone sections with a total length of 51.5 km
From Troisvilles (Km 98). Refueling at Solesmes (Km 115.5) and
Beuvry-la-Foret (Km 189.5).

Crossing Arenberg (km 172), Mons-en-Pévèle (km 209) and Carrefour
Tree (km 241). On the velodrome, the riders have to make the distance
from the entrance to the velodrome finish line (300 m), then a tour
full (500 m).

Participation: 25 teams.
Leopard, AG2R La Mondiale, BMC, Brittany Schuller, Cofidis, Euskaltel, FDJ,
HTC, Katusha, Lampre, Liquigas, Movistar, Omega Pharma, Astana, Quick Step,
Rabobank Sojasun-Saur, Saxo Bank, Skil, Sky, Europcar, Garmin, Netapp,
RadioShack Vacansoleil

Favorites: Fabian Cancellara (SUI), Tom Boonen (BEL), Thor Hushovd (NOR)
Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP), Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Sylvain Chavanel (FRA)
Filippo Pozzato (ITA), Björn Leukemans (BEL), Sebastian Langeveld (NED)

Notably absent: Nick Nuyens (BEL), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Alexander
Vinokourov (KAZ), Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR), Matti Breschel (DEN)

Prize Money: 91,000 euros, 30,000 for the winner

Victories: 108 editions played since the inception of the event in
1896. 53 wins for Belgium, 28 France, 13 for Italy, 5
for the Netherlands, 3 Switzerland, 2 Ireland, 1 from Germany
Australia, Luxembourg, Russia and Sweden (two tied in 1949).
Record Wins: 4 for Roger De Vlaeminck (BEL) between 1972 and 1977

The last ten winners:
2001: Servais Knaven (NED)
2002: Johan Museeuw (BEL)
2003: Peter Van Petegem (BEL)
2004: Magnus Backstedt (SWE)
2005: Tom Boonen (BEL)
2006: Fabian Cancellara (SUI)
2007: Stuart O’Grady (AUS)
2008: Tom Boonen (BEL)
2009: Tom Boonen (BEL)
2010: 1. Fabian Cancellara (SUI)
2. Thor Hushovd (NOR) 2 min
3. Juan Antonio Flecha (ESP) 2 min
4. Roger Hammond (GBR) 3 min 14 sec
5. Tom Boonen (BEL) 3 min 14 sec