The 2013 Tour ta’ Malta is set for a record number of participants after it was announced that 131 cyclists have so far registered to take part in the four-day event between April 4 and 7.
John Zammit, president of the Malta Cycling Federation, told reporters this week that this year’s 19th Tour will be the biggest ever with 18 teams fielding riders in three categories – open, women and masters.
“We are delighted with such a strong response to our promotion for this year’s Tour ta’ Malta,” Zammit said.
“The peloton looks formidable and includes some past winners.
“Our federation will be represented by five teams and we are hopeful that some of our riders will be among the protagonists for the major honours.”
Zammit revealed that among the locals taking part will be Australia-based cyclist Daniel Bonello.
“We were contacted by some of our friends in Australia who recommended Daniel in view of our participation in the Luxembourg GSSE.
“We decided to have a closer look at the lad. He looks promising but it’s still early. Whether he features in our team for the GSSE will depend mostly on how he fares in this Tour,” Zammit said.
This season, Bonello has competed in the New Zealand Cycling Classic and finished 26th overall from an entry field of 69.
Last month, he also took part in the Oceaniske Mesterskaber 2013 time-trial in Canberra. He was classified 14th from 23 riders.
Zammit also said the federation had also kept contact with David Millar, winner of a gold medal in the 2001 San Marino Games. However, talks are still at a premature stage for the Malta-born Scot to join the team for Luxembourg this year.
The Tour ta’ Malta gets under way on Thursday with an 18km time-trial at the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq coast road.
The next day riders will be involved in a tough 100km road race at the San Martin circuit and the penultimate stage will be held today week – an 88km road race at the St Paul’s Bay bypass.
The Tour will come to a close on April 4 with a second time-trial, this time a 12km circuit at the Żebbuġ bypass.
The overall presentation of the event will be held at the end of the final stage.
The 2013 Tour ta’ Malta is sponsored by Barcelona Lounge, the Strand, Remax, Soreda Hotel, Farsons, Twistees, Garmin, Pulsenet, Mexico Garage, Switch Bikes, Tata Motors, BuffMalta, Cycle World, Kunsill Malti għall-Isport and the Malta Tourism Authority.