Symmetrics off to Cuba

The Canadian team Symmetrics is set to begin its 2007 season at the Vuelta Ciclista a Cuba. Racing begins this Tuesday, February 13 and will last a full 13 days, ending on February 25.

The race features 14 stages of tough racing, including a 30-km individual time trial which should suit Svein Tuft. Tuft, who will wear his Red skin suit of National Champion in the event, has been honing his time trialling skills lately on the track. "I've increased my Revolutions per minute, my leg speed, with all the riding at the velodrome, so I'm pretty stoked to try it out on the road," he said.

Joining Tuft in Cuba will be Marsh Cooper, Christian Meier, Andrew Pinfold and Andrew Randell. New Symmetrics rider Geoff Kabush will be also be lending a hand to the squad, making his first appearance with his new teammates.

Most of the team has been training in either British Columbia or California, and although it is the rainy season in Cuba, weather could be a factor. "If it gets warm, we could have a pretty hot war on the roads with some of the locals who are more acclimatized," Symmetrics veteran Andrew Pinfold said. "As far as who is our best rider right now, I think some of the guys who have been training hard on the track might pull off some good rides, but whoever gets up there in the GC, we will all ride in solidarity."

The total mileage of the race is 1865km, making it the longest race for all of the Symmetrics riders. The community of racers who have flown in from various parts of the world will assemble Sunday in Havana, with the actual race beginning and ending at the Plaza de la Revolution in Baracoa.