Tour de Singkarak 2011

Minister Jero Wacik, Director General of Marketing Sapta Nirwandar and the Governor of West Sumatra Irwan Prayitno inaugurated the launching of Tour de Singkarak 2011 at Soesilo Sudarman Auditorium, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Jakarta (5/20). The launching marked the readiness of the event which will take place at West Sumatra from 6 to 12 June 2011.

Minister stated that Tour de Singkarak proves that Indonesia tourism in general and West Sumatras in particular have good image in the eye of the international world. The event, as one of the annual agenda of UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) will be enlivened by not only international cyclists, but also foreign tourists who would crowd the race and at the same time enjoy the natural and cultural beauty of Minangkabau, Minister added.

In his presentation, Sapta Nirwandar explained that Tour de Singkarak will take on 7 stages of 739.3 km throughout 12 districts/ cities in West Sumatra. The prize for the race itself reaches Rp 750 million. To support this international sport tourism, Sapta added, Ministry of Culture and Tourism invited Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the organizer of the worlds most prestigious cycling race Tour de France, to give feedback on the organizing of Tour de Singkarak. It is hoped that contribution from ASO will make this cycling race more popular in the world.

This year, Tour de Singkarak is held for the third time and as many as 234 cyclists from 15 teams (countries) participate. They are the Asian Racing Team (Japan); Holy Brother Cycling Team (Peoples Republic of China); Azad University and Tabritz Petrochemical Cycling Team (Iran); Eleven (Philippines); Plan B Racing Team and Eddy Hollands Bicycle Services (Australia); Trengganu Pro Asia Cycling Team and Le Tua (Malaysia); Global Cycling Team (Netherland); Giant Kenda Cycling Team, Team Fuji, and Action Cycling Team(Taipei). There presents CCN Colossi comprising of New Zealand, Ireland, Russia, Kirgistan,Spain, and England. Indonesia will put 11 national teams namely Araya Indonesia (Sidoarjo), Custom Cycling Club (Jakarta), Polygon Sweet Nice (Surabaya), Putra Perjuangan (Bandung), United Bike Kencana Team (Malang), Tirta Cycling Team (Solo), Binong Baru Passel (Cirebon), DKI Jakarta, Peng-ISSI Prov. Sumbar, Prima Utama and Prima Muda (Sea GamesNational Training).

The race stage will be Padang (stage 1), Padang-Sicincin-Pariaman (stage 2), Pariaman-Bukittinggi (stage 3), Bukittinggi-Lembah Harau (stage 4), Payakumbuh-Sawahlunto (stage5), Sawahlunto-Istana Basa Pagaruyung (stage 6A), Istana Basa Pagaruyung-Padang Panjang (stage 6B), Padang Panjang-Danau Kembar (stage 7A), and Danau Kembar-Danau Singkarak (stage 7B).

Source : Tour de Singkarak 2011 On the Go