Giro d'Italia organisers unveil testing 2009 route

The 2009 Giro d'Italia organisers unveiled a testing route last weekend for the centenary edition that should suit seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong more than his rivals.

The 37-year-old Texan has confirmed he will ride the three-week Giro for the first time in his career when he returns to professional cycling next year after a three-year absence.

"We've worked hard to make the centenary edition of the Giro d'Italia a special race," race director Angelo Zomegnan said.

"We've created some special stages for some special riders."

The 2009 Giro starts in Venice on May 9 with a 20.5km team time trial and ends in Rome on May 31 with a 15.3km individual time trial.

In between, the three-week race travels north for a finish in Innsbruck and then west to the Alps for a five-climb 250km mountain stage between Cuneo and Pinerolo.

The 61.7km individual time trial along the spectacular Cinque Terre coastal region is expected to be a key stage where Armstrong could gain vital seconds on his rivals thanks to his excellent time trialing skills.

The little known central Apennine mountains will test the riders in the final week of the race.

The last mountain stage is on the slopes of the Mount Vesuvius volcano overlooking Naples, while the final time trial stage around Rome starts and finishes in the shadow of the Coliseum.