The final time trial of the 2009 Tour de France took place around Lake Annecy in the foothills of the French Alps. The town of Annecy is the capital of the Haute-Savoie region and has also been selected to bid for the 2018 Winter Olympics. The town and region are known for the natural beauty and outstanding quality of life. For bike racing fans, it is an opportune time to see great individual efforts in the race against the clock, while also seeing some of the best property available in the country.
The town is located on the shores of Lake Annecy, the clearest lake in the Europe and is near to the mountains, the border with Italy and Switzerland and not too far from the Mediterranean coast. With so many natural beauties and outdoor activities available, tourism is a major factor in the region’s economy. The old town center has been preserved and is very popular with visitors as well. In addition to the tourism, the town has a major university and has some high-tech industries as well.
Speeding around Lake Annecy on their bikes, the Tour riders won’t appreciate its beauty, but may get to once they are done. The Lake Festival takes place in August and is a popular time for holiday travelers from across the country and world to enjoy the cool mountain air and water.
As for the race, the stage was won by the Tour’s overall leader Alberto Contador of Spain and the Astana team. He just beat out Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, and Contador’s teammate Lance Armstrong placed 16th for the stage, a minute and a half behind the winner.
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