(October 22, 2008)--The 2009 Tour de France will include a tough mountain stage on its next-to-last day, which breaks with tradition and perhaps complicates Lance Armstrong's possible return.
The route was unveiled Wednesday in Paris, aiming to keep suspense going to the end of cycling's 106-year-old showcase race,
Ordinarily, the Tour finishes with a time trial on the next-to-last day, deciding the race winner before what is largely a ceremonial ride into Paris on the final day.
The steep climb up notorious Mont Ventoux may pose a particular challenge for Armstrong.
The seven-time Tour champion from Austin, even at his peak, never won on the rocky slopes of the rugged ascent in the south of France.
Armstrong is making a comeback after three years of retirement, but it's still unclear whether he will race in the Tour.
Johan Bruyneel, the manager of Armstrong's team Astana, said Wednesday today that there's only a "50-50" chance the American would race the Tour next year and that it would depend on whether organizers make him feel welcome.
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