Abit at the grand opening function of the 2018 Tour de Singkarak (TdS) asked the organizing committee to make better preparation for the 2019 sport tourism event.
"If possible the next TDS is no longer held in the end of the year but earlier," he said, adding that this year`s event will take place from November 4 to 11, 2018.
If possible, he said, the annual international bicycle race in West Sumatra province can be held in June, July or at the latest in August.
Thus, all districts and cities in West Sumatra are required to prepare budget.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Bike Sport Association (PB ISSI) Rajagukguk said this sport association will carry out many agendas in 2019, so that TdS is expected to be registered earlier.
According to him, TdS is one of nine bicycle racing events in Indonesia and is the second best after Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen.
"We hope that the 10th TdS will be the best that the previous years," he said.
A total of 21 teams from 26 countries will compete at the event with a total of eight stages.
In the meantime, head of the West Sumatra Tourism Office Oni Yulfian said that all cyclists and officials were ready to compete in stage I to be held on November 4.
The total length of the TdS this year increased to 1,267 kilometers from the previous 1,250 kilometers (in 2017).
Stage I will pass Bukittinggi-Sijunjung route along 140,5 kilometers, starting from 10 Western Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) on Sunday, November 4, 2018.
Stage II will be held on Monday (November 5) starting from 09.00 WIB with the starting point at Sawahlunto and finish in Dharmasraya along 204,1 kilometers.
Stage III is from the Singkarak lake to Tanah Datar for 150,4 kilometers, was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 10 WIB.
Stage IV is from Padang city to Agam District for 144 kilometers starting at 10 WIB.
Stage V is from Limapuluh Kota to Pasaman for 170.5 kilometers starting at 10:00 WIB.
Stage VI is from Solok to Payakumbuh along 105 kilometers which will be held on Friday on November 9, starting from 02:00 WIB.
Stage VII is from Padangpanjang to Solok Selatan along 194,4 kilometers, starting from 09.00 WIB on Saturday (Nov. 10).
Stage VIII or the last will be from the District of Pesisir Selatan to Pariaman along 158 kilometers. This stage will take place on November 11 at 12:00 WIB.
Reporting by Syahrul Rahmat
Editing by Bustanuddin, Rahmad Nasution
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
