MIRI, Thursday, 9th July, 2015: The inaugural
Tour of Sarawak is set to launch Sarawak into the international cycling calendar
with the inaugural edition scheduled from January 13 to 17, 2016.
Slated an International Cycling Union (UCI) 2.2
status 5-stage race, the inaugural tour will take an expected international
class field of competitors through a gruelling route covering a total of 756.2
kilometres from the start of the opening stage in Miri to the grand finish in
the state capital Kuching on January 17.
The tagline 'Race Close to Nature' befits the
overall spirit of the race, which aims to showcase the greatest asset of the
State of Sarawak, which is its natural beauty that will be projected by an
international media presence all through the scenic country landscapes and
unique architecture from start to finish of every stage.
Organised jointly by the Persatuan Rakan Bestnye
Sarawak (RBS) and Ryzam Southern Sdn Bhd, the race will have its pre-event
festivities and ceremonial start of the first stage in the bustling and dynamic
city of Miri, from where the peloton will cover a tough first day of racing
which will end after 193 kilometres in Bintulu.
The second stage the next day will then cover an
even further distance of 215 kilometres from Bintulu to Sibu, but the next day
there will be some respite from the gruelling long stages with a short 120.8
kilometre Stage Three from Sarikei to Betong.
Stage Four, the penultimate stage, will cover
128.6 kilometres from Sri Aman to Serian, before the final stage from Serian to
Kuching covers just 98.8 kilometres with an explosive bunch sprint finish a
likely to end to Sarawak's first ever international class cycling race.
Endorsed by the Sarawak Ministry of Social
Development and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the inaugural Tour of Sarawak
is expected to feature an international cast with cyclists from 20 countries
expected to mark the historic moment in the State's cycling history.
At the race's route launch today, Assistant
Minister of Communications and Sports Sarawak Yg Berhormat Datuk Lee Kim Shin
said the event is in line with the State Government's plans to elevate sports
tourism in Sarawak and would place Sarawak in the eyes of the world.
"We know sports Tourism is the next big
thing. We anticipate that there will be many sports tourists and journalist
visiting Sarawak during this period. It will indeed add more economic impact
for the state of Sarawak. We thank the organisers and UCI for giving Sarawak
this chance," said Yg Berhormat Datuk Lee Kim Shin, in thanking the
organisers for putting together an event of international standards.
