The route for the Gippsland Tour in Victoria, a stage race running from August 1 through 5, has been announced. Even though it's scheduled for only five days, there are eight stages total, as three of the days are split off into double events. The total distance of the race is 601.7 kilometres, and the week features a total of 27 climbs. In the mix of circuit and road races, the amount of of sprints outnumber the KOM's by a ratio of more than two to one, for a total of 68 spots where the fast men can gain points.
Englishman Tom Southam, a former British under 23 road time trial champion, will travel to Australia for the race and give it some international flair. Southam, 26, first visited Australia in 2002 as a member of an elite U.K. training squad which based itself in Bendigo. Southam clearly likes the country as he is now married to an Australian and has applied for a permanent resident visa. The Brit also has secured a contract with the Drapac-Porsche team.
