TOP German cyclist Jan Ullrich heads a strong field for South Africa’s premier cycling event, the Vodacom Rapport Tour, which starts in Cape Town on Friday and ends on February 19. The 26-year-old Ullrich, 1999 Tour of Spain and 1997 Tour de France winner, leads the Deutsche Telekom team, one of 15 six-member teams competing in the 1014km race which also ends in Cape Town. German Michael Rich, with the Gerolsteiner team, will be back to defend his title and other strong contenders are reigning Olympic champion Pascal Richard – with the all-vegetarian British Linda McCartney team – and Swiss rider Laurent Dufaux of Saeco. Riders from 23 countries will compete in the tour which many top stars use to prepare for the Tour de France and Olympic games this year.