Teams line up for Perth challenge

Some of Australia's largest cycling teams will contest the second Tour de Perth on April 4-6. Savings & Loans, Bike King/Triple Play and Praties Cycling Team are among those listed to contest the category one National Road Series event next month.

The tour's course has been re-arranged this year in an attempt by organizers to spice up the racing. Saturday's racing will be on the state championship course at Roleystone, with Sunday's events again in Kalamunda, all in the hills district on the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia.

For this year's event the women's component has been upgraded to a category one event, which organizers are hoping will encourage a few more women to travel west for the event. In addition to local teams the newly formed Virgin Blue Elite Cycling Team will also contest the tour.

The Perth event also includes the Lycopodium Hills Challenge participation ride on Sunday, April 6. The ride, which has distances of 25, 50 and 100 kilometres, is targested at non-racing and recreational cyclists.

See www.tourdeperth.com.au for more details.