Preparations for the event were 90-percent complete. Hopefully, the event would run smoothly after it was suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bintan, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - As many as 946 cyclists from various countries have registered to compete in the world-class Tour de Bintan cycling race scheduled for October 14-16, 2022, acting Bintan District Head Roby Kurniawan stated.

"Data from the Bintan Tourism Office shows the number of participants has crossed 946 comprising 800 men and 146 women," he noted on Wednesday

Nearly 40 percent of the participants come from Singapore; 13 percent from the United Kingdom; seven percent from Australia; five percent from Indonesia; four percent from Malaysia; three percent respectively from the United States , Japan, Germany, and France; two percent respectively from the Philippines and Hong Kong; and 16 percent from other countries, he remarked

"Preparations for the event were 90-percent complete. Hopefully, the event would run smoothly after it was suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic," he remarked.

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He expressed hope that Bintan's tourism sector would revive following the world-class cycling race.

Tourism is the biggest contributor to the district's locally sourced income, he remarked.

Chief of the Bintan Tourism Office Arief Sumarsono said the cyclists joining Tour de Bintan will pass through several resort areas in the district starting from Simpang Lagoi.

"The participants can enjoy fresh air along the beautiful coast while cycling," he remarked.

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The event's organizing committee has set the race's categories in the Tour de Bintan: Individual Time Trial stretching 175 kilometers; Grand Fondo Challenge, 85 kilometers; Grand Fondo Classic, 146 kilometers; Grand Fondo Century, 108 kilometers; and Grand Fondo Discovery, 55 kilometers.

"The Tour de Bintan will significantly increase the number of tourists visiting Bintan because the participants will certainly not come alone. Usually, they bring along their families," he stated.

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Translator: Ogen Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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