Record entry for 2009 Tour ta' Malta

The 2009 edition of the Tour ta' Malta, the 15th in the series, will be a record one where participation is concerned as the Malta Cycling Federation announced that so far 93 riders have registered to take part in the race between March 26 and 29.

Federation president John Zammit told a conference call in Sliema yesterday that 2007 Tour winner Ryan Connor, of the Ulser Cycling Team, will be here to defend his title and that Malta will be represented by 39 cyclists, 36 of whom in the men's Tour.

The Maltese women in the race will be Stephania Magri, Marie Claire Aquilina and Marica Micallef.

National champion Etienne Bonello is expected to rank among the favourites in the men's race having shown such outstanding form this season along with Maurice Formosa and David Galea.

"This will be an interesting Tour from different aspects," Zammit said.

"We are going to have local riders from five different clubs and Connor will be here to try to win this race again. The entry field is quite attractive as 2004 winner Matteo Salute is making a comeback and so will Filippo Ballatore who knows our routes inside out now.

"We also invited Olympic gold medallist Nicole Cooke to visit us and take part. She won the Tour in 2000 and her presence would have added allure to our race but, unfortunately, she has other events planned for the same dates."

This year, the foreign teams will be hailing mainly from Italy, Ireland and England. The women's teams will be Nood Holland, of the Netherlands, Squadra Donne, of Italy, and Ireland's Ulster. All visitors will be residing at the Marina Hotel.

The Tour will be spread over four days. The first stage will be a 32km time-trial at the Baħar iċ-Ċaghaq Coast Road followed by a 100km race on the San Martin circuit. The gruelling 85km stage at the uphill of Ta' Penellu is reserved for the third stage before the less arduous ride at the Ferries on March 29. As in previous Tours, distances for women will be shortened in some of the stages.

Zammit, meanwhile, urged the public and motorists, in particular, to cooperate with the organisers and give way to cyclists during the four-day competition.

Present for the launching were Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport chairman Bernard Vassallo, and Jason Lauri and Steve Calleja who represented the sponsors.