The 2009 Tour de France starts on 4 July with a 15.5km individual time trial in Monaco, and ends 3,500km later in Paris on 26 July.

For better or for worse, the 96th edition of the Tour will be dominated by the return of seven-time winner, Lance Armstrong.

But, as the riders take to the start ramp in the Place du Casino, there are plenty of other riders who could make the headlines.

Along with (clockwise from top left) Armstrong, Carlos Sastre, Alberto Contador and Mark Cavendish are among the ones to watch.