"Initially, TdS was held to expedite recovery in West Sumatra after a strong earthquake hit the region," Esthy Reko Astuti, an expert staff for management of the calendar of events of the Tourism Ministry, remarked at the opening of the TdS 2019 in Pariaman on late Friday (Nov 1).
The international race event has been developed further in a bid to promote the province’s tourism sector and boost the local economy.
Tour de Singkarak has been included in the national calendar of events, she stated.
Astuti noted that TdS was emulated by Banyuwangi District in East Java that had held Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen. In its 9th year of existence, Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen has achieved an excellent level according to the Union Cycliste International (UCI).
Vice Governor of West Sumatra Nasrul Abit stated that the TdS had recorded the fifth-largest audience in the world.
"This year, the race will cover a larger area to Kerinci District and Kota Sungai Penuh District in Jambi Province," he remarked.
The government will expand the route for the race in future to cover the entire island of Sumatra, he noted.
It will also take a cue from Banyuwangi on ways to better implement TdS and achieve the same level of excellence from UCI.
TdS 2019 will comprise nine stages spanning 16 districts and municipalities in West Sumatra and two districts in Jambi, covering 1,317.3 kilometers.
Cyclists from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Brunei Darussalam, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, Iran, China, the Philippines, Spain, Eritrea, Germany, Russia, Mongolia, Britain, Turkey, Moldova, and Latvia are competing in the TdS. Related news: Tour de Singkarak should economically benefit West Sumatrans
Related news: Cycling teams from 25 nations contesting Tour de Singkarak 2019
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Reporter: Altas Maulana, Sri Haryati
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
