Theres been more than a flurry of interest in the upcoming Mr Price Tour Durban. SAs most successful local mens pro, Microsofts Malcolm Lange, is looking forward to testing his ability against the course and the rest of the SA pro peloton.
I always enjoy racing in KZN, so Ill be there and trying for a good win, said the Microsoft maestro.
I enjoy the route and the odds are heavily on yet another bunch sprint to decide the race, he went on.
There was a bunch sprint in Durban last year, and I think Im right in saying that there has only been one major race in SA so far this year which hasnt been decided in a bunch sprint , commented Malcolm.
It definitely indicates that the standard of riding has been lifted overall in South Africa, and its a good thing for the future of SA cycling, he added.
It also indicates that there is, again, likely to be only a tiny winning margin at the Mr Price Tour Durban in 2005 .
Lange has had an indifferent run in the Tour Durban in the past few years with JP Durandt bagging the honours last year and in the previous year Jamie Ball put one over him after a stunning Microsoft lead-out that saw the youngster claim it by a whisker.
So there is certainly some unfinished business for Lange in Durban and judging by his early season form he has enjoyed sprint victories in the Pick n Pay Hyper to Hyper and the Liberty Ride for Sight he is right back on song.
I feel very comfortable with where Im at on the bike at the moment and looking forward to lots of racing in the next two weekends with the SA Champs in Pretoria on Sunday and then the Giro and Argus next week, said Lange.
And then the season goes on to the Tour Durban, and its going to be fun. The Tour Durban takes place on 24 April with a kermesse scheduled for the evening before race day.
On-line entries are taken at www.tourdurban.co.za
All the information you could need is available on www.tourdurban.co.za, and any inquiries can be made to Annie and Melissa on , by fax to , or by e-mail to
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