ONE of the richest road races in the world breezes through Hampshire next week when the Prutour wheels its way around Britain for the second time.

Some of the best riders in the world, including Britain's Chris Boardman, make up 18 colourful teams of six who set out on a gruelling seven-day battle through England, Wales and Scotland.

But injury has cruelly denied a place in the starting line-up at Westminster this Sunday for Hampshire star David Rand.

The showpiece race has come just a couple of weeks too early for Rand who has taken giant strides to overcome an Achilles tendon problem that put a huge dent in his start to the season.

Rand also suffered a setback off the bike as his team, PDM Sport, collapsed but he was snapped up by the ever-improving Harrods squad and fully expected to make the Prutour that he handled so well last year.

Despite making a rapid recovery Rand has put his hands up and told team manager Tony Foote to give his place to team-mate Andrew Naylor.

"I'm very disappointed not to have made it but in my heart-of-hearts I know I am not quite ready for it," said the 1996 national road race champion.

"If I had another week or two it would be a different story but I don't want to do it unless I'm 100 per cent - it would not be fair on the team."

Ironically Rand's decision to pull out could have a positive outcome as it has drawn great praise from Foote.

"He has gone up and up in our estimation in recent weeks and I am impressed by his maturity and I hope he has a great future ahead with Harrods," said Foote.

Another professional from the South, Harry Lodge from Salisbury, will be a part of the Prutour. Lodge, who has competed in two Milk Races and is a former junior national time trial champion, now lives in Italy and will be captaining Amore e Vita.

Last year's Prutour is probably remembered by most for the wrong reasons. But, as the saying goes, no publicity is bad publicity and television pictures of the riders being directed into a super-market car park in the early stages probably did the race no harm at all.

Riders who make it to the Edinburgh finish line on May 29 will have covered more than 730 miles and will be in for a share of the £100,000 prize money - making it the fourth richest race in the world.

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