2009 Tour de France

The 96th Tour de France cycling race is currently underway, with the final, 21st stage of the 3,445 km (2,141 mi) race coming up on Sunday, July 26th. At this time, Alberto Contado of Kazakh team Astana appears to be headed toward a second tour title, currently leading riders Andy Schleck of Team Saxo Bank and Luxembourg and, in 3rd place, Lance Armstrong, also of team Astana. Armstrong's recent emergence from retirement to return to this year's tour has been the focus of much of this year's media coverage. 180 riders in twenty teams started in Monaco on July 4th, heading for the final ride into Paris this weekend. Collected here are a handful of images from the 2009 race. (40 photos total)

The Columbia Highroad team sets the pace of the pack during the third stage of the Tour de France in southern France, Monday July 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

French cycling team BBOX Bouygues Telecom's leader Thomas Vockler of France celebrates on the finish line before winning the 196.5 km fifth stage of the 2009 Tour de France on on July 8, 2009. (PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images) #

The peloton approaches during the sixth stage of the 96th Tour de France between Gerona and Barcelona July 9, 2009. (REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel) #

Spanish cycling team Euskatel-Euskadi (Eus)'s Egoi Martinez of Spain takes a rest at an anti-doping control bus area on July 12, 2009 at the end of the 160 km ninth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) #

The pack rides at Aspin pass on July 12, 2009 during the 160 km ninth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Bradley Wiggins of Britain speeds down Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees mountains during the 9th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday July 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski) #

Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States is photographed during a training session on July 13, 2009 in Limoges on the first of the two rest days. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

A Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST) bicycle chain is washed at Novotel hotel on July 13, 2009 in Limoges on the first of the two rest days of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Overall leader Fabien Cancellara of Switzerland, of the Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (yellow jersey) rides in the pack on July 5, 2009 in the Principalty of Monaco, at the start of the 182 km second stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Racers pass through a tunnel during the third stage of the Tour de France in southern France, Monday July 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski) #

Team Columbia rider and sprinter's green jersey Mark Cavendish of Great Britain adjusts his glasses before the start of the third stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Marseille and La Grande-Motte, July 6, 2009. (REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel) #

The peloton leaves Marseille behind during stage three of the 2009 Tour de France on July 6, 2009 in Marseille, France. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #

Belgian cycling team Quick Step (QST)'s rider Tom Boonen of Belgium concentrates on July 7, 2009 before the start of the 39 km team time-trial and fourth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Dutch cycling team Rabobank (RAB)'s Robert Gesink is pictured in an ambulance after injuring his wrist and leg in a crash on July 8, 2009 during the fifth stage of the Tour de France. (Koen van Weel/AFP/Getty Images) #

The peloton rides over a bridge heading into the French countryside on stage nine of the 2009 Tour de France from Limoges to Issoudun, on July 14, 2009. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) #

Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain (center) rides in the pack on July 14, 2009 during the the 2009 Tour de France's tenth stage. (PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images) #

French cycling team AG2R-La Mondiale (ALM)'s Rinaldo Nocentini sits inside the anti-doping control bus on July 14, 2009 at the end of the tenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) #

The pack rides down a country road on July 15, 2009 during the race's eleventh stage between Vatan and Saint-Fargeau. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

The peloton makes its way past fields of sunflowers during stage 11 of the 2009 Tour de France from Vatan to Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry on July 15, 2009 in Vatan, France. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #

Angelo Furlan of Italy grimaces as Dr. Gerard Porte treats his wounds after he crashed during the 11th stage of the Tour de France in central France on July 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski) #

The peloton passes by on July 15, 2009 in the eleventh stage of the 2009 Tour de France run between Vatan and Saint-Fargeau. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Mark Cavendish of Great Britain and Team Columbia HTC celebrates after sprinting to victory flanked by runner up Tyler Farrar (right) of USA and team Garmin-Slipstream at the finishline of the 11th stage of the 2009 Tour de France on July 15, 2009 in Saint-Fargeau-Ponthierry, France. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #

Dutch cycling team Skil-Shimano (SKS)'s Fumiyuki Beppu of Japan answers journalists' questions on July 16, 2009 in Tonnerre before the start of the 200 km and twelfth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) #

The peloton rides past wheat fields during stage 12 of the 2009 Tour de France from Tonnerre to Vittel on July 16, 2009. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #

German fan Dieter "Didi" Senft, or "El Diablo", leaps as race leaders ride in a breakaway on July 16, 2009 during the twelfth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Mark Cavendish of Britain, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, left, eyes his rival for the green jersey Thor Hushovd of Norway, right in white Cervelo jersey, during the final sprint of the the 12th stage of the Tour de France in Vittel, France on July 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours) #

Nicki Sorensen of Denmark reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the 12th stage of the Tour de France in Vittel, France, on July 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours) #

Decorations on the bicycle of US cycling Team Columbia-High Road (THR)'s leader Mark Cavendish of Great Britain, on July 17, 2009 during the thirteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Belgian cycling team Quick Step (QST)'s Sylvain Chavanel of France sprints to finish in fourth place on July 17, 2009 in the thirteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images) #

Racers ride in a heavy rain on July 17, 2009 in the thirteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong rides in the pack under heavy rains on July 17, 2009 in the thirteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Cervelo Test Team rider Heinrich Haussler of Germany celebrates on the podium after winning the 13th stage of the Tour de France on July 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Charles Platiau) #

Thor Hushovd of Norway, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, speeds down Etroits pass, Switzerland, during the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday July 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski) #

Lance Armstrong of USA and team Astana rides in the first time trail of the 2009 Tour de France on July 4, 2009 in Monaco. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #

Team Saxo Bank rider Jens Voigt of Germany lies on the ground after a hard fall during the 16th stage of the 96th Tour de France on July 21, 2009. Voigt suffered a fractured right cheekbone and a severe concussion. (REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel) #

Kazakh cycling team Astana's leader Alberto Contador of Spain rides in the sixteenth stage of the Tour de France between Martigny and Bourg Saint-Maurice on July 21, 2009. (JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) #

Alberto Contador of Spain and Kazakh cycling team Astana is pictured after the signature ceremony on July 21, 2009 in Martigny (Switzerland) before the start of the sixteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France. (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images) #

Andy Schleck of Luxembourg and team Saxo Bank rides in the individual time trail during stage 18 of the 2009 Tour de France on July 23, 2009 in Annecy, France. (Jasper Juinen/Getty Images) #

Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s Frank Schleck of Luxemburg (right) celebrates on the finish line as he wins the seventeenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France on July 22, 2009. Frank Schleck won, ahead of team Astana's Alberto Contador (left) and his brother Andy Schleck, the leader of Team Saxo Bank (center). (PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images) #

Thor Hushovd of Norway and the Cervelo Test Team rides along Lake Annecy during stage 18 - a 40km time trial in the 2009 Tour de France on July 23, 2009. (Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) #

More links and information

Tour de France - Official site

Tour de France - coverage by Versus

2009 Tour de France - Wikipedia entry

The Tour Stage by Stage - Interactive from the NYT, 7/2

< Back to front page

Wow! Thanks for this!

Posted by Andi July 25, 09 10:23 AM

It's amazing how for 3 weeks each July I get nothing accomplished thanx to the Tour !!! Not a jock, retired and love the Phil & Paul show. Great photos - continue to be amazed how much the body will do if it is trained properly !!!! Gotta go get my beach cruiser dusted off.

Posted by cdc978 July 25, 09 10:29 AM

Amazing pics! Thanks for sharing!!

Posted by Chris July 25, 09 10:48 AM

If those images were bigger, i wouldn't hesitate for a single moment to use them as a wallpaper on my PC. Great ones!

Posted by zimmicz@gmail.com July 25, 09 10:59 AM

The set could be better if it had shown more french landscapes.
This is the most beautiful thing in the Tour.

Greeting from France.

Posted by Charles July 25, 09 12:41 PM

Nice pic's.

Posted by Anonymous July 25, 09 01:05 PM

Fantastic album! Thanx for sharing.

Posted by Eugenie July 25, 09 03:11 PM

Contador you rockkkkkkk!!!!!

Posted by Anonymous July 25, 09 03:22 PM

#35, with the description, breaks my heart.

Great collection, even with some impossible to beat images in prior years.

(The lady on a horse with bike helmet racing in a field next to the peloton will always be oddly archetypal.)

Posted by Bruce July 25, 09 03:28 PM

Mooie reportage.
Echt zoals het was.
Nog 1 rit en dan weer een jaar wachten.
Radio'Shack gaat heel wat teweeg brengen in 2010, let op.

Posted by Bikerhar July 25, 09 03:40 PM

Very nice pictures!!!!

W O W W W W...............

Posted by Frank N. Sturm July 25, 09 04:33 PM

Best advertisment campaign you can imagine for a (beautiful) country. 3 weeks on all the TVs of the world...

Posted by J�r�mie July 25, 09 05:58 PM

Bravo. Keep up the good work. Between Cycling and F1, you're covering two of the three greatest sports in the world. Just add soccer and we'll be done.

Posted by Joe Papp July 25, 09 06:47 PM

Great collection of pictures.
Tour de France is without any dispute, the biggest cycling event in the world. I remember when i was a kid, my hero then was Eddy Merckx nicknamed �the cannibal� a Belgian cyclist a 5 time winner of Tour de France. I was crying when he retired..He was a winner. He wanted to win every stage. He wore the yellow jersey almost all the time. Which differs from today tactics (dictated by dollars & sense) of winning the whole thing. You may win the Tour, without winning a single stage.
Also I am bit disappointed that the Tour still remains dominated by European cyclist. Very few cyclist outside European Continent rides in the event every year. We need more Lance Armstrong�s and Greg LeMond�s..And I would be happy to see a winners from Africa, Asia or other Continent one day. But cycling is expensive sport. the equipment alone cost a lot of money... A great job of bringing to us, all those photos to �The Big Picture�
Thank You

Posted by Peter Bullert July 25, 09 10:35 PM

Wow, #25 is a great shot!!!

Posted by Steve - Syd, Aus July 26, 09 03:15 AM

Great work! I recomend you some more potos from TDF 2009 at http://www.990px.pl/index.php/2009/07/15/tour-de-france-2009/

Posted by gabor July 26, 09 08:32 AM

thanks, very nice!

Posted by abbas July 26, 09 09:03 AM

Alberto Contador, the best !!!!!

Posted by Frances July 26, 09 10:20 AM

Best collection of tour photographs I've seen from this years event.

Posted by Sarah July 26, 09 10:41 AM

thanks for the pics, I've waiting for this since last year!

Posted by lalo July 26, 09 11:51 AM

hi its really very nice pictures and i know ur PAIN.keep it up

Posted by OSHO July 26, 09 02:54 PM

amazing,awesome, nice album and calendar copy which everybody love to have !!!

Posted by manueljose maranan July 26, 09 03:33 PM

Es mikel astarloza, no egoi mart�n.

Posted by eu July 26, 09 04:08 PM

Bravo amazing work

Posted by Serone July 26, 09 04:17 PM

impressed. caught the motion. well done!

Posted by Automative July 26, 09 04:23 PM

super!

Posted by tomektrojnar.com July 26, 09 04:37 PM

Nice pic's!!!

Posted by tomektrojnar.com July 26, 09 04:39 PM

Yeah, but Lance only got third overall. What a wimp!

Seriously, I am looking forward to the U.S. team in 2010 with Lance in it. I expect we will clean up, if the guys can keep clean that is.

Posted by bigjohn756 July 26, 09 04:53 PM

Great pictures, and great angles.

Posted by Ole Jensen July 26, 09 05:15 PM

Amazing set of pictures, as usual. Thank you!

Posted by Indeshaw Adenaw July 26, 09 05:51 PM

some serious professional shots no kidding what kind of camera

Posted by thomas berg July 26, 09 07:25 PM

"cycling is like church, many attend but few understand"

Posted by Timur July 26, 09 11:20 PM

#40 Perfection defined

Posted by Kshitij Shah July 27, 09 12:45 AM

Finally a TDF-series. Waited a long time for it. Awesome shots, but where are the fans?!

Posted by FotoKnutsen July 27, 09 03:03 AM

�Demasiado protagonismo para L. Amstrong!

�Contador to the power!

Posted by Valent�n July 27, 09 03:29 AM

Is #2 wearing somekind of helmet inside his shorts? :-P

#19 For a while sunflowers would've turned away from the sun to watch the bikers, and #6, la belle France.

#31, Sheer determination, inspite of abonimable pain and yes I-am-gonna-do-it human spirit.
Everything so well described..
Thanks from Mumbai, and Alan, I love you man!! (brotherly love ofcourse :-P)

Posted by Brahmin July 27, 09 03:47 AM

Once again a great set!

Posted by Helmut July 27, 09 04:35 AM

Wonderful! Can't pick a fav here, maybe 27 as that was a great ride by Nicki S and he gave the best "winning face" of the tour in 09. Regarding doping, thanks again to BluMoon. This sport was on the brink of being finished forever but determination, hard work and consistent comprehensive testing have turned it around. Other atheletes in other sports would be terrified to face the doping program that cycling has now in place. There is no better sport to watch than this one ~period. Would love to see some pictures from Mont Ventoux, stage 20. I will keep coming back hoping to find some.

Posted by Jenn W July 27, 09 07:56 AM

Amazing shots.......

Seeing big picture is always interesting.......

Nice dude....!!!!

Posted by Rosi July 27, 09 08:35 AM

I bet that Photographer is also a Bicycle User. Awesome Photography.

Posted by Pankaj Sisodiya July 27, 09 08:43 AM

ANG GANDA! SALAMAT sa mga photographers, i'm grabbing a couple for my pc wallpaper. Inspirasyon si Lance.

... M A B U H A Y Tour de France!

Posted by backpacker July 27, 09 11:16 AM

I don't know how you guys do it, but this is the best photojournalism site i've seen. Trully great pictures in every event.

Posted by Carlos Verdugo July 27, 09 12:20 PM

Beautifulllllll!!!!!!
You have photos of yestarday???
Thanks very nice
I'm brazilian.

Posted by Edna Reis July 27, 09 01:00 PM

Bravo! Amazing Work!Beutifull!
Anik� hungary

Posted by anik� July 27, 09 02:36 PM

One of THE BEST collection of cycling pcitures I've seen in a long time...
(and I've seen my fair share of them!)

You guys should seriously consider putting together a book with a few more pictures, I would certainly buy it.

Wouldn't you?

Posted by Guillermo July 27, 09 03:24 PM

beautiful set of pictures
I like 19 and 38 :)

Posted by aida July 27, 09 03:43 PM

These are really fantastic pics about the Tour de France. My favorite is picture #1 : The Columbia Highroad team sets the pace of the pack during the third stage of the Tour de France in southern France. Many compliments Bas Czerwinsk, who made the picture and kind regards to the team @ Boston.com

Posted by Dutchcowboys.nl July 27, 09 06:59 PM

jwb -
#26's bokeh is heat waves i believe.

Posted by rm July 27, 09 08:22 PM

Sunflower is beautiful ! For my country ,we have no this .

Posted by judytianqin July 27, 09 08:27 PM

G�nial! Super! Excellent!

Posted by Steve July 27, 09 11:20 PM

#17 _does_ look dopey, does he not?

Posted by CrowizCom July 28, 09 02:24 AM

Mark Cavendish and his team mates are great!!!!
AVE for Dynamite Boy !!!

Posted by damir July 28, 09 02:34 AM

C'est tout beau , !!!!!

Posted by Mich�le Aym�s July 28, 09 08:23 AM

Those photos were great. I am 16 years old and I know this may sound ambitious, but I hope to, one day, win this prestigious race. If you want to follow my journey just visit http://anyone1can1do1it.blogspot.com/. Thank you for reading my post!

Posted by Marshall July 28, 09 03:23 PM

The best ever...Pictures from TDF 2009

Thank's

Posted by Andr� Rabello July 28, 09 08:52 PM

Beautiful pictures and very scenic. A great compilation, and thanks to all for their efforts.

Posted by Ian July 28, 09 09:40 PM

The greatest pic gallery in this planet..! bravo.!

Posted by pemanduteksi July 28, 09 09:59 PM

As 98 said, the 4th picture IS NOT EGOI MARTINEZ, he is MIKEL ASTARLOZA, winner of one of the stages this year.

Posted by inaki July 29, 09 03:27 AM

Nice pictures.!!

Posted by Stephen July 29, 09 04:59 AM

For the first time in many years I finally managed to follow the whole of the Tour this year on the UK's ITV 4 TV channel.

These are excellent images bring back many of the memories of what was a great Tour, especially for us Brits!

Posted by Mike McNamara July 29, 09 07:02 AM

Wow, these are amazing! Definitely worth checking the http://www.projectletour.com/
ones as well!
__
http://www.lostinparis.co.uk

Posted by Kat July 29, 09 07:35 AM

Wonderful clear photos. Very nice memory from this year's 'Tour'.

Posted by Rod Muller July 29, 09 08:48 AM

#38: In the context of nature, my favorite TDF-genre. A rushing stream, a rushing cyclist. Why many of us biked or continue to bike. Do these focused racers take in the scenery they are privileged to bike through? I hope so. What a pity if they have to block it out in order to win.

Posted by Bruce July 29, 09 12:29 PM

f.a.b.

Posted by Anonymous July 29, 09 03:30 PM

V viva!

..., 19 and 38, ...

Posted by Jo July 29, 09 03:47 PM

Fantastic pictures. Reminded of the amazing moments from TdF '09. Thanks!

Posted by Sagar July 29, 09 09:58 PM

Great pictures. Congratulations

Posted by Anonymous July 30, 09 06:23 AM

I think it was the best tour, thanks to every one on the tour.

Posted by ken west July 30, 09 11:22 AM

Espectaculares las fotos , se destaca y sobresale el espiritu de la competencia en su maxima expresion .......Gracias.

Posted by Javier July 30, 09 03:30 PM

Contador is the best. In the next edition he�ll win with or without team.
Ol� Alberto
nice photos

Posted by Luc July 30, 09 05:07 PM

Lance Armstrong always & forever !!!!!!!

Posted by Tomy_93 July 31, 09 02:49 AM

superb

Posted by sudheer July 31, 09 04:03 AM

Come on, #70. What's your problem with men wearing tights? They have the most beautiful legs of any sport. Plus, the "tights" do have a purpose!

Great photos

Posted by Jeff Fischer July 31, 09 10:04 PM

sublim

Posted by hig August 1, 09 07:03 AM

De tr�s belles images, en effet, du Tour 2009, Merci.

Posted by geo August 2, 09 02:28 PM

Alberto CONTADOR, with final R...

Posted by John August 3, 09 06:36 AM

Loving the Tour photos!

Keep it up.

Cheers from Thurso, Scotland.

Posted by Alan August 3, 09 04:44 PM

Extraordinar

Posted by cristi August 4, 09 02:19 AM

Pictures are awesome! Good job to the photographer(s)!

Posted by Quick-Sport.com August 4, 09 03:47 AM

Fantastic set. Here's the "Big Picture" set from the 2008 TdF: http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/07/2008_tour_de_france.html

Posted by Mike N August 4, 09 01:21 PM

Geniales fotografias, saludos a todos desde Chile....

Posted by Cristian Ca�ete August 4, 09 10:46 PM

Fant�sticas todas las fotos. Enhorabuena por ellas.

Un saludo

Posted by Juan August 10, 09 03:23 AM

Very interesting and amusing subject. I read with great pleasure.

Posted by Mackeran August 10, 09 08:29 AM

#19 - stunning - I'd put it on my wall!

Posted by Anna August 11, 09 05:37 AM

excellent views than people

Posted by yangguang August 13, 09 12:33 AM

Thanks for these amazing pictures - just like watching it again - but better!!!!

Posted by Heather August 16, 09 10:31 PM

amazing pictures.....you catch the escence of the tour

Posted by anonimous August 20, 09 06:20 PM

Lindas fotos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Alexandre Lacerda August 24, 09 05:46 PM

Great pictures... too bad there were any of the Champs Elise!!

Posted by Johnnys Torres August 25, 09 04:00 PM

beautiful pictures

Posted by kjeld laurant August 26, 09 02:15 PM

What A Great Done There

Posted by Pramod Makwana August 27, 09 04:36 AM

Mil gracias, todas las fotografias muestran la belleza del mundo y de su gente. Todo el escenario es gratuito y que mejor que disfrutarlo asi!
Gracias! Voy a compartir con otros amigos!
SML

Posted by S>M> LAnders August 27, 09 05:36 AM

Wow! Terrific photos. I hope you leave them up forever! The sunflowers...Oh my! I always start out watching the Tour for the scenery and then get sucked into the action, the drama and the competition. Thanks for showing it all.

Posted by Emily Standish September 18, 09 06:37 PM

omg the places are sop beautiful

Posted by tahlia September 20, 09 08:08 PM

Wonderful....what an amazing bunch of pictures.

Posted by Roland September 28, 09 08:54 AM

Your collection here showed is really terrific!!!

But some of those is really the greatest bikers pics I've never seen...
Congratulation..

Posted by Luca October 7, 09 03:56 PM

Excellent photos!!! - brings back memories of summer!!!

Posted by Andy M October 9, 09 06:09 PM

No guts, no glory.Your pics prove that.Long live the TDF!

Posted by Ted October 13, 09 02:20 AM

i like 34! lance is awesome

Posted by billy October 19, 09 12:18 PM

fantastic photographs ,brill desk top pics,lets have more,very inspirational for us road cyclists,best things in life are free,God bless france,Mike Collinson ,Hull City,uk

Posted by michael james collinson November 1, 09 02:51 PM