Rumoured Schedule for the 2009 Tour de France...
No sooner has the excitement of the Tour de France 2008 come to an end than the gossip is hotting up about where the 2009 race will pass through. The race is widely thought to be starting in Monaco this time round, with over-the-border stages including Andorra and Barcelona.
It looks like the Haute Savoie and Valais regions of the Alps will get a look in next year, as several Swiss newspapers and sports journals have reported that one stage is scheduled to finish in Verbier, before continuing on to Martigny, Grand Bornand and Annecy. Morzine was a mountain stage of the Tour in 2006, but it has yet to be confirmed whether it is part of the 2009 itinerary. The latest gossip regarding the Tour 2009 route can be found on paris.thover.com.
One rumour that has been confirmed is the return of legendary racer Lance Armstrong! The 7 times winner of the Tour de France recently announced his intention to win an 8th Tour in support of cancer awareness. The 37 year old Texan famously beat testicular cancer before going on to become possibly the most celebrated cyclist in the world. He has since set up the Livestrong Foundation, which aims to promote cancer prevention, improve access to screening and healthcare, encourage research into the disease and unite cancer survivors the world over. Lance released this statement via his website:
"I am happy to announce that after talking with my children, my family and my closest friends, I have decided to return to professional cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden. This year alone, nearly eight million people will die of cancer worldwide. Millions more will suffer in isolation, victims not only of the disease but of social stigma. After the passage of Proposition 15 in Texas, a $3 billion investment in the fight against cancer which is helping to make this disease part of the national dialogue in America, it's now time to address cancer on a global level."
Please see the website of the Livestrong Foundation to find out more about how you can support this cause.
The definitive Tour de France route will be officially confirmed at the end of October 2008, so watch this space to find out if it will be passing anywhere near you – you can relive our ‘Tour experience' by reading our review of the 2008 Alpe d'Huez Mountain Stage!
To learn more about France's favourite sporting event please take a look at our article on the history and organization of the Tour de France.
