TOUR de France champion Chris Froome and his Sky teammate, Tasmanian Richie Porte, will be the star attractions at  the  Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic next month. Arguably the best pairing in world cycling, Froome and Porte  will use the Apple Isle as the springboard to their 2015 campaigns after their season-ending break. The duo will race a Kermese at Symmons Plains on Saturday, December 6, before the Stan Siejka Classic on the Sunday evening around the Launceston CBD circuit. They will be joined in the elite men’s race by a likely field of 100 of Australia’s best National Road Series riders from teams such as Avanti, Drapac and Budget Forklifts. ‘‘We are excited and honoured to not only have Richie support and race at his home event again, but to also have a Grand Tour winner in Chris Froome racing is a massive coup,’’ race director Nigel Baker said yesterday. ‘‘The presence of both Porte and Froome will no doubt put Tasmania on the map worldwide. ‘‘We are expecting a crowd in excess of 20,000 people to line the CBD circuit to watch what is arguably the best street circuit criterium in Australia.’’ This year’s women’s event will feature pro tour teams Orica GreenEDGE as well as Rochelle Gilmore’s Honda Wiggle team. The Australian criterium champion Sarah Roy, from the Roxsolt team, along with local stars Macey Stewart, Georgia Baker and Amy Cure, will ensure that the race will be fast and of an international standard. ‘‘All going to plan, this year’s event will also be televised live around Australia and possibly into many European countries, with the TV rights to be finalised over the coming days,’’ said Baker. ‘‘To be able to promote Launceston and Northern Tasmania at an international level has been as aspiration of the committee for some time.’’
