There will be plenty of opportunity to watch the Tour as it races through the streets of Dublin tomorrow, even if the viewing positions will by their nature be more cramped than those offered by Wicklow during Stage 1 on Sunday, and in the south-east from Enniscorthy to Cork during Stage 2 on Monday.
The prologue time trial through the city streets starts at 2 p.m. when the publicity motorcade sets off. Racing proper, the first 5.6 kilometres of a 3,850 km race, 390 of which take place in Ireland, is scheduled to begin at 3.25 p.m.
The purpose of the prologue is to establish a race leader for the official start the following day. For the prologue, each of the 189 riders will leave the start on College Green at one-minute intervals and race down Nassau Street and Clare Street into Merrion Square.
Passing along the north and east sides of the square, the cyclists will race into Fitzwilliam Street and up to Lower Leeson Street. They head along the south side of the Green into Cuffe Street and Kevin Street, across to Patrick Street.
They go up Patrick Street and St Nicholas Street and under the arch at Christ Church to swoop down Winetavern Street to the Liffey.
From there, it's a straight run along the north Quays to O'Connell Bridge and left back into O'Connell Street.
The first rider is scheduled to depart at 3.25 p.m. and arrive at the finish about seven minutes later. The publicity motorcade will pass over the route over an hour before, with plenty of prerace entertainment. The last rider leaves the start at 6.40 p.m. to close the day's proceedings.
Any point along this short route should provide a view of the cyclists in action although there are a few places in particular to head for. The long straight next to Merrion Square is one, and a pedestrian bridge has been constructed across Merrion Street Upper. The sharp turn on to Merrion Square East will offer a great chance to see the riders slow down to take the corner, as will the turn from Fitzwillian Street into Leeson Street.
St Stephen's Green is the next best point, with the riders coming off Leeson Street at phenomenal speed. Another bridge has been constructed here at the junction with Earlsfort Terrace, so again access by foot will not be a problem.
The race then moves through Cuffe Street and Kevin Street, which will probably be a less crowded but equally impressive viewing spot. The turn on to Patrick Street is also an ideal location, especially with the cathedral as a back-drop. The slight climb up St Nicholas Street gives the opportunity to see the riders increase their efforts before shooting down Winetavern Street and over the river.
Pedestrians will not be allowed on the river side of any of the quays but there is ample viewing space the entire length of the quays on the footpaths at the buildings side. This should provide an uninhibited view as the cyclists race down the wall by the river.
There will be a great atmosphere as the riders turn on to O'Connell Street for the finish. There will be no access over O'Connell Bridge East but the other side will be open for pedestrians. There will be a large viewing screen at Middle Abbey Street to let spectators see how the riders are going as they enter the finish.
There's ample space to catch a view of the finish from the western side of Lower O'Connell Street and from the median strip from Abbey Street to O'Connell Bridge. There will be another large TV monitor at the median strip here, so if you want to keep up with the race and then see the finish, this is the place to be.
There will be no viewing facilities beyond the finish at Upper O'Connell Street, but the footpaths on both sides will remain open to pedestrians for access into the finish area.
In general, there are few limits on pedestrian access to viewing points along the route, but the advice is to get there in plenty of time to be sure of a good view. With eight pedestrian bridges along the way, it will be even possible to move around to different locations during the three-hour spectacle of the prologue time trial.
