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Only once, since the systematic introduction of time-trials at the revival of the Tour in 1948, has the total individual time-trial distance been shorter: 52.300 km in 1967.
After the Start from Monaco, the Tour will, successively, stop off in France, Spain, Andorra and Switzerland and make a detour into Italy: a total of 6 countries visited. The 1992 edition still holds the record in this domain: 7 countries.
Never in the history of the event has a mountain been on the programme the day before the finish in Paris. This will be the case this year with the Ventoux mountain finish on the 20th stage.
The team time-trial has not appeared on the race programme since 2005. For the 2009 edition official times recorded at the finishing line will be included in the general individual classification and the team classification. The stage classification will be calculated according to the time achieved by the fifth rider in each team.
As in 2008, no bonuses will be awarded to the first riders to cross the finishing line in intermediate sprints or stage finishes. Official time remains the absolute reference.
For the points classification intermediate sprints will be included in flat stages. The first three riders to cross the finishing line will respectively be awarded 6, 4 and 2 points.
A total of 3.2 million euros for the teams and the riders, including 450,000 euros for the winner of the overall general classification.
