The Tour of Malta gets under way and will come to an end on Sunday 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 today will see the cyclists facing the Salina Coast Road 25km time-trial. Tomorrow, 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.

A record number of over 110 riders from a total of 17 teams is taking part 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/June.

The Cycling Federation is supported by the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport (KMS).

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.

Programme

1st Stage - today

Individual Time Trial - Coastline

Distance: 25km / 4 laps

Time: 10am-12.30pm

2nd Stage - tomorrow

Road Race - San Martin circuit

Distance: 10 laps/100kms for males, 7 laps/70kms for females.

Time: 10am-12.30pm

3rd Stage - Saturday

Gozo Road Race at Nadur

Distance: 60km/10 laps

Time: 10am-12.30pm

4th Stage - Sunday

Individual Time Trial at the Zebbug By-Pass

Distance: 12km/3 laps

Time: 11am

Bike Ride to Sliema

Presentation ceremony at 1pm at the Ferries, Sliema.