There’s always a surprise when the Tour de France route is announced, and this time around was no different. The event’s 96th edition, scheduled July 4-26, 2009 was announced Tuesday in Paris. It will incorporate five countries after starting in one of the world’s most wealthy principalities. Race director Christian Prudhomme unveiled the course at luncheon press conference, detailing what could be among the race’s most spectacular journeys. The race will begin with a 15-kilometer time trial in Monte Carlo in Monaco on Saturday, July 4 and advance on a clockwise route that will take the peloton into Spain, Andorra, Switzerland and Italy before its traditional finish July 26 in Paris.
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