Tour de France route launch to be broadcast live next week

Just days after the Giro di Lombardia wraps up the 2008 season for many professional road racers, it will be time start thinking seriously about the 2009 Tour de France. On Wednesday, October 22, the Palais des Congrès in Paris, France, will host the annual presentation for the French Grand Tour.

Race director Christian Prudhomme will unveil maps of the stages before an audience including special guest Prince Albert II of Monaco, the nation which will host the 2009 Grand Départ. The past three Tour de France winners, Carlos Sastre, Alberto Contador and Oscar Pereiro, will also be on hand.

For the first time, Cyclingnews will bring you live coverage of the one-hour presentation, starting at 11:30 am local (Paris) time (5:30 am US EDT / 8:30 pm Australia (EDT)). Tune in for details on the next edition of the Tour de France and glimpses of the top favorites.