two first PCR cycles with long times?

[Mati Reeben]

Accidentally in a recent research article in Science from 3 July 1992 Vol. 257
p.55 I came over following PCR conditions. 

...All PCR were performed on single stranded cDNA's generated from
poly(A)+-enriched RNA from different brain regions.
The PCR conditions with nonredundant oligonucleotides consisted of two cycles
at 95 C (5 minutes), 62 to 68 C (2 minutes), and 72 C (10 minutes) followed by
25 cycles of 95 C (1 min), 62 to 68 C (2 minutes), and 72 C (2 minutes).

I would be grateful, if somebody can explain me the sense of these first two
cycles. OK, I understand initial more thorough denaturation, but why second
long denaturation ? And why two 10 min extensions in the beginning ? Is initial
template considered to be worse for elongation ? And how much this trick can
improve PCR ?

Besides any hints I would really appreciate  some references on the theme.
Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Mati