Just in: Cyclefilm Etape 2009 preview

We've just received a review copy of The Road to Mt. Ventoux, the Etape 2009 preview from Cyclefilm. Featuring one-man-sportive Mike Cotty, the DVD gives a full run-down of the 172km stage.

The route this year meanders from nougat ground zero, Montélimar, to the top of the Giant of Provence, taking in six minor climbs that bump the total ascent up to 3000m. It's going to be a stonker, with Cyclefilm touting it as 'the most beautiful Étape yet', though we're not sure whether they're referring to the ride or their footage of it...

What can you expect? well, the usual full recce giving the lowdown on all the climbs, descents and, erm, flat bits, plus lots more. Markus at Cyclefilm tells us, "compared to the last edition we've made a lot of improvements on the cultural side with a tour of the start village and lots of historic content. There's off-the-bike bits too to keep things light-hearted and entertaining". He also sent us some nougat, which was nice. The nougat and the gesture.

On top of the above you also get real-time climb previews (luckily that's Mike Cotty real-time, not ours, or you'd be buying a box set), behind-the-scenes footage and out-takes. We'll be settling down with a glass of sherry and a mince pie to watch the thing over Christmas (much to the chagrin of Mrs road.cc, no doubt) and we'll give you our thoughts when we come back in the new year all hangdog with our mince-pie-and-sherry bellies protruding over our trousers.