The Malta Cycling Federation has announced that this year’s Tour of Malta is to be staged between 7 and 10 April with four stages and some innovations.

In fact, the final stage this year – a 12km time-trial – is to be held on the Zebbug bypass. Usually it finishes at The Ferries in Sliema.

The first stage on Thursday 7 April will see the cyclists facing the Salina Coast Road 25km time-trial. The next day, they will tackle the 100km road race at the tough San Martin circuit. The third stage is planned to be held in Gozo – a 77km mass start race in Nadur.

Federation president John Zammit said there is a record of over 110 riders from a total of 17 teams this year and this goes on to show that the Malta Tour is getting popular every year.

The top Maltese cyclists will be taking part in all three categories – men, women and veterans. Among the foreign participants will be 2005 champion Roy Chamberlain, of England, and Italy’s Francesco Guccione, the 2009 winner.

Zammit added that the locals’ participation will serve them in good stead considering their participation in the Games for European Small Nations in Liechtenstein in May.

Kunsill Malti għall-Isport chairman Bernard Vassallo has assured the Cycling Federation of KMS’s support in this year’s event as well as in many others in future.

The main sponsors of this year’s Tour are Betfair. The Gozo Channel, Strand Palace, Remax, General Soft Drinks, FMC Motors Ltd, Foto Art, Twistees, Greens Supermarket, Cycle World, BBB and Birkirkara St Joseph are also supporting the event in one way or another.