Tour of Austria presented

While the country's cycling scene is suffering from several doping cases, the Tour of Austria has been able to find sponsors and maintain its existence. Organisers presented this year's route on Thursday evening in Vienna.

The 61st edition of the event will be taking place from July 5-12 and include eight stages, totaling 1,208.9 kilometres. The challenging route will take the peloton over tough climbs as of the second day of racing with the Kitzbüheler Horn on the schedule, followed by the queen stage on July 7 that includes five categorised climbs.

The penultimate day will see the overall favourites battle it out against the clock for the fourth time in Podersdorf am Neusiedler See over 26.3 kilometres before the race ends in Vienna.

Stages of the 2009 Tour of Austria

Stage 1 - July 5: Dornbirn - Messepark Dornbirn, 141.9 km
Stage 2 - July 6: Landeck - Kitzbüheler Horn, 183.2 km
Stage 3 - July 7: Kitzbühel - Prägraten am Großvenediger, 183.7 km
Stage 4 - July 8: Lienz - Wolfsberg, 217.2 km
Stage 5 - July 9: Wolfsberg - Judendorf-Straßengel, 138.9 km
Stage 6 - July 10: St. Pölten - Horn, 189.0 km
Stage 7 - July 11: Podersdorf am Neusiedler See (ITT), 26.3 km
Stage 8 - July 12: Podersdorf am Neusiedler See - Vienna, Rathaus, 128.7 km