Armstrong skips Tour presentation

Two days after it was made public that the Giro d'Italia may be his only three-week race target of his comeback season next year, it has been made public that Lance Armstrong will not appear at the official presentation of the Tour de France, to be held in Paris' Palais des Congrès next week. A spokesman of the American told L'Equipe that the seven-times Tour de France winner would not travel to Paris on October 22 to assist the announcement of next year's route.

While this can be seen as another indication for Armstrong's absence in the 2009 Tour, nothing is certain, as the cancer survivor also skipped the fancy presentations of the race in his last three years as a professional.

Meanwhile, his Astana teammate and 2007 winner of the event, Alberto Contador, 2006 winner Oscar Pereiro and this year's champion, Carlos Sastre, have confirmed their attendance. The kings of the last three Tours will discover the parcours details in the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco, as the 2009 Grande Boucle will take its Grand Départ in the Principality of Monaco. First leaks of the Tour route emerged last month, with Barcelona a likely stage town of the first week and the Mont Ventoux a probable mountain stage on the penultimate day.

Stay tuned to Cyclingnews on October 22 for the breaking news on the 2009 Tour de France route.