Tour de Singkarak officially launched in Jakarta

The ninth Tour de Singkarak (TdS) officially launched on Oct. 15 at Sapta Pesona Building, Jakarta.

TdS is said to be an international cycling competition that is among the top five cycling events in the world. The event itself is slated on Nov. 18-26.

"This is an effective way to promote TdS 2017. Since it is a cycling competition, we are hosting Fun Bike event to celebrate the launch during the car free day," said Tourism Ministry's head of man-made tourism promotion, Ni Putu G. Gayatri.

Themed Sportive Innovative Proactive, the Fun Bike event is attended by Tourism Minister Arief Yahya and West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno.

The event kicked off at Sapta Pesona Building then continued with the participants then turning left and make a U-turn at the Ramayana status, continued to Jl. MH Thamrin and then Sarinah, make another U-turn at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle and then back to Sapta Pesona Building.

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The TdS itself will kick off in Batu Sangkar, Tanah Datar regency and finish at Bukittinggi tourist city.

The race will be divided into nine stages: Tanah Datar - Padang with the travel distance of 107 kilometers, Painan – Sawahlunto (166 kilometers), Muaro Sijunjung – Punjung Island (100 kilometers), Singkarak Lake – Payakumbuh (135 kilometers), Harau Valley – Padang Panjang (101 kilometers), Solok – South Padang Aro Solok (140 kilometers), Pariaman – West Pasaman (157 kilometers), Padang Pariaman – Agam (101 kilometers) and Pasaman – Bukittinggi (90 kilometers).

TdS was first held in 2009. In 2013 ASO Amauri Sport, the official organizer of Tour de France, recommended TdS as a major race in the Asian region.

TdS takes the fifth spot for the highest number of spectators in the world with 500,000 visitors. The first spot is Tour De France with 12 million, followed by Giro A Italy with eight million, Vuelta A Espana with five million and Santos Tour Down Under with 750,000. (kes)

Source: Tour de Singkarak officially launched in Jakarta