European duo lead Tour of Tasmania starters

By Rod Morris

Two international competitors headline the entry list for this year's Jayco Tour of Tasmania road cycling classic, after the recent announcement Tour de France star Kjell Carlstrom will contest the Tattersall's Cup round. Carlstrom, 29, the 2004 Finnish national road champion, is joined by England's Kristian House as the foreigners in this year's event. House, 26, has enjoyed a tremendous year, winning the FBD Insurance Ras, a stage of the Tour of Bretagne in France, and four races in Britain.

Carlstrom was placed in a stage of the 2006 Tour de France and also raced the Tour of Spain. He is making his second visit to Australia, having won the Herald Sun Tour's sprint championship in 2003, and also a stage of the Tour of Queensland. Carlstrom's Australian manager Paul Ciuro said the Finn was keen to ride the Tour of Tasmania because of the magnificent terrain and the State's rich cycling heritage. "Kjell has had a vigorously tough year, but would love to finish it off with at least a stage victory in the Tassie Tour," Ciuro said. "He will be a terrific acquisition to the event."