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THE West Sumatra administration, in cooperation with the Tourism Ministry, recently has launched a promotion of the international cycling race and sports tourism event of Tour de Singkarak (TdS) in Jakarta.
According to Oni Yulfian, head of the West Sumatra tourism office, said most national and international media are based in Jakarta. Wide coverage of TdS will be beneficial for promotion of the event.
The 2018 TdS is launched at the Tourism Ministry’s office and attended by Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Nasrul Abit. The promotional launch enlivened by various traditional dances of West Sumatra.
At least 20 cycling teams from various countries will participate in the 2018 TdS, with total prizes worth Rp2.3 billion on offer.
Inspired by the 200-year-old Tour de France, the TdS was first organized as part of the recovery program following a powerful earthquake that had devastated West Sumatra in 2009 in a bid to boost the tourism industry through a sport-based promotional activity.
The world-class TdS event takes renowned international cyclists on an exciting tour across the picturesque West Sumatra countryside’s scenic landscapes comprising beaches, blue lakes, and numerous hairpin bends, as they climb up to the foot of the volcanoes.
“Its race track this year is extended to 1,267 kilometers (km), from 1,250 km in the previous year. The race track has been extended, but its stages have decreased,” Ony Yulfian stated recently.
This year, TdS comprises eight stages, from nine in 2017, as the districts of Mentawai, Padang Pariaman, and West Pasaman will not participate in the event. The 2018 TdS route covers 16 districts and cities.
Yulfian believed that the implementation of TdS this year will be better that that of the past years. The first stage of TdS is Bukittinggi-Sijunjung, stretching 140.5 km. The start from Bukittinggi will be on November 4, 2018.
The second stage on Nov 5 will start from Sawahlunto and end in Dharmasraya, covering a total distance of 204.1 km. The third stage is Singkarak-Tanah Datar, stretching 150.4 km, on Nov 6, while the 144-km-long fourth stage covers Padang-Agam; the fifth stage is Limapuluh Kota-Pasaman, 170.5 km; sixth stage is Solok-Payakumbuh, 105 km, on Nov 9; and seventh stage is Padangpanjang-South Solok, 194.4 km, on Nov 10.
“The final stage is from South Pesisir to Pariaman, stretching 158 km, to be held on Sunday, November 11, 2018,” he added. [antaranews/photo special]
