Record entry for 2012 race
High-profile Danish team to make guest appearance
The 2012 Tour ta’ Malta has attracted a record number of participants as 119 riders are expected to be on the start line of the four-day event between March 29 and April 1.
This year’s entry betters last year’s field of 111 and should increase competition for the red jersey in all three categories – men, female and masters.
John Zammit, the president of the Malta Cycling Federation, told a news conference yesterday that 21 teams have confirmed their participation in this year’s Tour while main sponsors 202 Jewellery have been instrumental in luring Danish team Christina Watches Onfone Team who will be racing on a non-competitive basis.
“We are delighted to have such an encouraging number of participants for this year’s Tour,” Zammit said at the event’s launch at the Soreda Hotel.
“I would like to thank the other members of the organising committee who have worked so hard in the past weeks and also our main sponsors, 202 Jewellery, who have helped us to take the Tour ta’ Malta to a more professional level.
“The presence of the Onfone Team will certainly add more prestige to the event as they will bring over some world-class riders such as Michael Rasmussen and Stefan Schumacher.”
Fourteen overseas teams, from the UK, Italy and Holland, will compete in the tour. Among the foreign participants are former Tour ta’ Malta winners Francesco Guccione, Francesco Pizzo and Iona Sewell.
Malta will be represented by seven teams with all the leading local riders set to participate, including champion Etienne Bonello who is currently riding in the Tour of Algeria.
Maltese rider Andrew Griffiths, the winner of last year’s Tour, will not be defending his title as he is currently on a training camp with his team.
The first stage of the Tour, on March 29, will be a 25km time-trial on the Salina coastroad. The following day, the peloton will head to San Martin for a 100km road race.
The third day of the Tour, on March 31, will not feature the traditional stage in Gozo as roadworks have forced the organisers to move the stage to St Paul’s Bay where a 70km road race will be held.
The Tour will come to a close on April 1 with the final stage, a 12km time-trial, in Żebbuġ.
After the race, the participants and other cycling enthusiasts will embark on a bike ride towards Bisazza Street in Sliema where the presentation ceremony will be held. The other sponsors of the Tour are Garmin, Switch, First Car Rental, Greens Supermarket, Cycle World, Ca-milleri Wines, San Michel, Barum, Remax, BBB Cycling and Twistees.