Itinerary confirmed for the 77th Rallye Monte Carlo, the opening round of the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge.

The organisers of the Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo, the opening round of the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Challenge, confirmed the full route for next year's event late last week.

The 77th edition, which will run from Tuesday January 20 to Saturday January 24, has been heavily revised with a 'new format' and 'a very different itinerary' to ensure it provides a 'fresh challenge' to all the competitors.

Like in 2007 and 2008 it will include night stages, although these will now take place at the end of the event rather than at the start, with four tests held in the dark including two runs over the Col de Turini.

100 competitors will be allowed to enter the round - although only the top 60 cars will be permitted to start the final four tests.

The prize giving ceremony will take place on Saturday January 24 at Place du Palais Princier in Monaco.

The complete provisional timetable for the 77th Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo is as follows:

Wednesday 21 January:

Leg one: Monaco / Valence.

Start from Monaco at 07:40 for 3 special stages

SS1: Roquesteron - junction D10/D5

SS2: La Motte Chalancon - St Nazaire le désert

SS3: St Jean en Royans - Col de Gaudissart

Arrival at Valence from 17:30 - Palais des Expositions

Thursday 22 January:

Start from Valence at 08:47 for 6 special stages

SS4: Labatie d'Andaure - St Pierre sur Doux

SS5: St Bonnet - St Bonnet

SS6: Lamastre - Gilhoc - Alboussière

At the end of SS6, all competitors will return to Valence where they will be placed in a regroup for 15 minutes before a 20-minute service halt.

SS7: Labatie d'Andaure - St Pierre sur Doux

SS8: St Bonnet - St Bonnet

SS9: Lamastre - Gilhoc - Alboussière

Arrival at Valence from 18:30

Friday 23 January:

Leg three: Valence / Monaco

Start from Valence at 06:00 for 5 special stages

SS10: Montauban sur Ouvèze - Eygalayes

Arrival at Monaco and Parc Fermé in from 14:08

Start from Monaco at 18:22

SS11: Sospel - Turini - La Bollène Vésubie

SS12: Lantosque - Luceram

SS13: Sospel - Turini - La Bollène Vésubie

SS14: Lantosque - Luceram

Arrival at Monaco from 01:20