In the leadup to this years Sydney Olympics organizers of the Nortas Tour of Tasmania have announced that the powerful Russian and German Olympic teams will compete in the event commencing in Devonport August 30th and finishing in Hobart on Sept 3rd. In all some 60 riders represented by 12 teams will tackle the mountains of Tasmania including a finishing stage high atop Mt Wellington in Hobart, an ascent of some 4500 feet.
Stage One commences at the seaside port of Devonport and takes in the mountains and tricky, high speed descents through the hinterlands of Sheffield site for the recent Australian Junior Road Championships. The 149km stage culminates with a tough final climb at Hapsden before a sprint finish in front of the Launceston Country Club Casino
Stage Two from Launceston to St Helens will test the riders with every aspect of the course testing their abillities. Great climbs, tricky descents and plenty of opportunities for a breakaway or solo in the 163km leg that finishes on the east coast at the fishing and tourist port of St Helens
Stage Three 135km that will provide spectaculat television coverage as the peleton winds its way through hinterland and down the east coast from Swansea to the capital Hobart. The wind may be the deciding factor here with the peleton suqeezed tightly to escape the prevailing side winds that blow in from the the Tasman
Stage Four a short 108km will end with a tortuous 18km climb from sea level to 4500 feet above the city of Hobart. The racing today will start at Wrest Point Casino and take in the southern Peninsular region, famous for its apple production, then wend its way towards an imposing Mt Wellington
Stage Five the final stage takes place at historic Salamanca. Here riders will contest a criterium in a carnival atmosphere surrounded by historic builings, the famous Salamanca Markets, garden walks and the waterfront. Riders will welcome the shorter race distance with the event running for 60 minutes but the course is notoriously fast and there will be no rest for the weary on the final day.
This years event shifts from the warmth of summer to the cold and wintery conditions that will further add to the toughness of the course. It remains to be seen just what part weather will play in the final result for 2000.
The Nortas Tour of Tasmania is the final of the three-event Skilled International Series, which started in Victoria earlier this year with the Skilled Bay Cycling Classic and the Skilled Melbourne-Sorrento Cup.
Full coverage of racing commences on Wednesday the 30th August when updated daily reports/photos/results from Tasmania will be available onsite
