Measures to counter drug abuse are likely to feature in the presentation of the route of the 1999 Tour de France today in the Palais des Congress in Paris. The route may be easier, to reduce the temptation, and teams with a drug record may be prevented from starting.

The presentation will be made by the race organiser, Jean-Marie Leblanc, who back in July, as the Tour de France became the "Tour de Farce", was the man at the centre of the maelstrom of drug allegations, police raids and riders' strikes.

In a sport still trying to work out how to react to the events of July, both the new route and its presentation will be scrutinised minutely for signs of a change of direction, so to speak. Two years ago, Leblanc's presentation included a call for professionals to wake up to the dangers of doping; today he is likely to repeat that call.

The unveiling of the route, which will follow a clockwise course, has been delayed by two weeks; there is speculation that this is because of the difficulties of devising a course which reduces the need for the participants to resort to drugs merely in order to finish.

This is in addition to the usual juggling of tradition, the need to cater for all talents, the demands of sponsors and the fact that every part of France has to be visited every two or three years.

What is not clear is whether the quota of stages in the hautes montagnes - the Alps and Pyrenees - will be reduced, and if so, to what extent.

Marco Pantani, although he won, felt this year's course was not suited to his climbing ability and he stated flatly last week that, if the new, possibly easier route favoured time-trial specialists, such as the 1997 winner Jan Ullrich, he might stay at home. "I am the champion; I have that right."

Leblanc could be forgiven for thinking that he is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.