The Giro d'Italia celebrates 100 years since its first edition in 2009 race organisers RCS have unveiled a route truly fit to mark the occasion.
All Roads Head South
In a break with recent tradition the 2009 Giro will start in the North of the country with a time-trial on the lido of the beautiful city of Venice, before making its way towards an early entrance into the high mountains of the Alps, with the first summit finish coming on Stage Four.
The race stays in the Northern reaches of the country for virtually a fortnight and includes forays into Austria with visits to Mayrofen and Innsbruck, as well as brief visits to Switzerland and France, before turning south.
As the race heads south it criss-crosses the country and takes in more mountain-top finishes in the Appenines. An intriguing stage to Monte Vesuvio comes just two days before the culmination of the race in the capital city - Rome. This is the first time the race has finished outside of Milan for nearly 20 years.
And the Winner is...?
In terms of the route at least this looks like it could be made to measure for a certain Lance Armstrong who will be going for his first victory in the race in 2009.
The race is mountainous, with six summit finishes and crucially includes a long time-trial. Armstrong, who based his record seven victories in the Tour de France on riding aggressively early on in the mountains, defending his position throughout the middle of the race and then dominating the long time-trials where he took minutes from his closest rivals.
With the long time-trial coming on Stage 12, Armstrong may have to show his cards a little earlier than he would normally have liked but he will not be complaining. The time-trial is a made to measure fit for the Texan and he should fancy his chances of claiming hi first pink jersey.
A Strong Field
Armstrong will not have it all his own way though. A strong field is expected at the 2009 Giro with 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre, Russian Denis Menchov, Australian Cadel Evans and comeback kid, Italian Iban Basso all strongly rumoured to be planning to ride.
It is not quite so clear whether 2008 Giro winner Alberto Contador is going to defend his title. With team-mate Armstrong definitely riding the Giro it may be that Contador opts to solely concentrate his season on going for yellow in the Tour de France - a tactic that served Armstrong well during his seven year winning streak.
Whatever the case may be with its defending champion, the Giro will boast its strongest line-up for some years and with the return of a true legend of the sport to a Grand Tour stage and a special route to mark the 100 years since its inception, the 2009 Giro d'Italia should live up to all expectations.
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