Jakarta,
Sept 18, 2017 (Antara) - The Maluku provincial government is organizing the
first Tour de Molvccas (TdM), an international cycling race of 2.2 class
and Men Elite category, on September 18-22, 2017, that combines sports
and tourism to attract tourists.
To
be held annually, the TdM is expected to develop into a prestigious
international sports tourism event, as Maluku, or Moluccas, has been
known worldwide since ages as the "Spice Islands," "discovered" by the
Europeans centuries ago.
Blessed
with rich natural resources, maritime tourism attractions, history, and
unique culture, Maluku will be able to avail the benefits of holding
the TdM that will develop into a flagship tourism event, Coordinating
Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated while
welcoming and flagging off the TdM participants on Sept 17 in Ambon, the
provincial capital.
The
tourism industry is one of the priority sectors that is expected to
earn significant foreign exchange for the country.
The
Joko Widodo administration has set a target of earning foreign exchange
worth US$20 billion from tourism by 2019, double the 2017 target of
US$10 billion.
Maluku Governor Said Assagaff has appealed to every resident of Maluku
to support the TdM, as the tourism event is expected to contribute
significantly to the province's economy and consequently to the welfare
of the Maluku people.
The governor thanked professional cyclists from 20 countries for their participation in TdM.
On
the evening of Sept 17, the governor, Minister Pandjaitan, and all
participants took part in a Cycling For All tour to briefly introduce
Ambon City to the participating cyclists.
TdM is supported and under the supervision of the Union Cycliste
Internationale (UCI) and the Indonesian Cyclists' Association.
A total of 14 teams comprising 67 professional cyclists and 25 reserves are taking part in the ongoing TdM.
The 67 cyclists consist of 27 Indonesians, eight Australians, eight Malaysians, six South Koreans, four Brunei Darusalam cyclists, three Spanish, two Germans, two Japanese, one French, one Indian, one Italian and one Dutch.
The 67 cyclists consist of 27 Indonesians, eight Australians, eight Malaysians, six South Koreans, four Brunei Darusalam cyclists, three Spanish, two Germans, two Japanese, one French, one Indian, one Italian and one Dutch.
The 14 teams are Terengganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), 7-Eleven RBP (The
Philippines), St George Continental Cycling Team (Australia), Kinan
Cycling Team (Japan), LX Cycling Team (Korea), Sapura Cycling Team
(Malaysia), Kuwait Cartucho (Kuwait), CCN Cycling Team (Laos), KFC Bike
Team, PGN - Road Cycling Team (PRCT) of Indonesia, Banyuwangi Road
Cycling Club (BRCC) of Banyuwangi, Indonesia, Custom Cycling Club of
Bali, Indonesia, and the United Bike kencana (UBK) of Malang,
Indonesia.
All participants had arrived in Ambon on Sept 16 and had taken part in
the opening ceremony of TdM 2017 at the World Peace Gong monument square
in Ambon, on Sept 17.
The
714-kilometer-(km)-long route of the race will comprise fives stages
covering three districts and a city located on the islands of Ambon and
Seram in Maluku Province.
The
first stage, stretching 179.7 km of the sports tourism event and
referred to as "Hidden Paradise Awaits You," starts from Piru Town,
Western Seram (SBB) District, and ends in Masohi Town, Central Maluku,
on Sept 18.
On Sept 19, the participants will depart from Masohi to Wahai Village, also in Central Maluku District.
The second stage, covering a distance of 155.8 km, will start from
Saleman-Wahai in Central Maluku District to Bula Town, Eastern Seram
District, on Sept 20.
The
153-km-long third stage will be from Bula to Wahai Airport.
Participants will depart from Masho and stay overnight in the town on
Sept 20. The 141.5-km-long fourth stage will be from Masohi to the
Waipirit ferry port in SBB, on Sept 21.
The
82.9-km-long fifth stage is from Namalatu Beach located in Latuhalat
Village, Nusaniwe Sub-district, to Ambon City. The cyclists will circle
the city seven times, from Namalatu Beach to a finish line at the World
Peace Gong Monument square on Sept 22.
The closing ceremony will be held in Ambon on the same day the participants cross the finish line.
The sports tourism event is unique, as the routes have been personally
selected by the participants, according to Jamaludin Mahmood, TdM 2017
project leader, concurrently member of the UCI.
During
the race, the cyclists will be able to enjoy the beautiful natural
panorama and experience the traditional arts and culture of Maluku.
Earlier, Governor Said Assagaff expressed his optimism that the TdM would help boost the tourism industry in his country, as the participants will be able to enjoy the natural scenery and enjoy the local traditions and culture during the event.
Earlier, Governor Said Assagaff expressed his optimism that the TdM would help boost the tourism industry in his country, as the participants will be able to enjoy the natural scenery and enjoy the local traditions and culture during the event.
"The
participants will make a stopover at every tourist attraction in every
stage, including those in SBB, Central Maluku, SBT, and Ambon City," he
said. ***1***
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(T.F001/A/F. Assegaf/F. Assegaf) 18-09-2017
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EDITED BY INE
(T.F001/A/F. Assegaf/F. Assegaf) 18-09-2017
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