Concerns that the Tour of the Mediterranean might have been lost for 2012 have proved unfounded, even though the race did not appear on the first UCI calendar for next season.
The prestigious early season event, which has been won by Eddy Merckx, Phil Anderson, Tony Rominger, Laurent Jalabert, Frank Vandenbroucke, Michele Bartoli, Jens Voigt and, last year, by Davide Moncoutie (pictured), will continue as usual, with the absence from the first issuing of the calendar being due to a paperwork issue.
According to Cyclism’Actu, race co-organiser Claude Escalon has reassured that the race will indeed be held, and will take place between February 8th and 12th.
In fact, there is some positive news; the event will be screened live thanks to Sport+ and France 3.
The 2012 race will begin in Pertuis with the stage finish being atop Mont Faron, the famous end point of a stage each year. Meyreuil, Salon-de-Provence, Martigues, La Ciotat, La Londe-les-Maures and la Seyne-sur-Mer will all feature as stage towns next year.
Due to its length and varied parcours, the event is seen as a strong indicator of early season form.