14 Teams To Take Part In Tour de Molvccas 2017

Ambon, Maluku, Sept 17 (Antara)- International sport and tourism event Tour de Molvccas (TdM) 2017 to be held on Sept 18-22, 2017, will be participated in by 14 foreign and domestic cycling teams, instead of 16 teams.

Two teams, Nice Cycling Team of Kuwait and Suren Cycling Team of Iran, had cancelled their participated due to technical matters, Jamaludin Mahmood, TdM 2017 project leaders, said here, Saturday.

Nice Cycling Team cancelled the participation because three out of its five cyclists, had been injured due to an accident in Colombia, he said.

Suren Cycling Team failed to get a travel permit from the Iranian Government because the team was late in requesting the permit, he remarked.

"They fail to participate in TdM 2017 because of technical problems. They have apologized to us. They are actually interested in joining the race because they want to enjoy the scenic nature of Maluku which is known internationally," he stated.

The TdM is supported and under the supervision of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Indonesian Cyclists` Association (ISSI).

The 14 participating 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 arrived in Ambon on Saturday, and will join the opening ceremony of TdM 2017 in World Peace Gong monument square in Ambon, on Sunday evening.

The tour`s 714-kilometer (km)-long route will comprise fives stages on Ambon and Seram Islands, Maluku Province.

The first stage stretching 179.7 km of the sports tourism event, referred to as "Hidden Paradise Awaits You," will start from Piru Town, Western Seram (SBB) District, and end in Masohi Town, Central Maluku, on Monday (Sept 18).

Maluku Deputy Governor Zeth Sahuburua to be accompanied by SBB District Head Yasin Payapo, will flag off the cyclists during the start.

On Sept 19, the participants will depart from Masohi to Wahai Village, also in Central Maluku District.

The second stage stretching 155.8 km long, will start from Saleman-Wahai in Central Maluku District, to Bula Town, Eastern Seram District (SBT) on Tuesday (Sept 20).

The 153 km-ong 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 villate, Nusaniwe sub-district, to Ambon City. The cyclists will go around the city seven times, from Namalatu Beach to a finish line in the World Peace Gong Monument square on Sept 22.

The closing ceremony will be held in Ambon on the same day the participants reach the finish line.

Mahmood said this cycling and tourism event is unique because the routes have been selected by the participants themselves.

He will make sure the cyclists will be indulged with beautiful natural panorama, and traditional arts and culture of Maluku during the race.

Earlier, Maluku 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.

The participants will be part of 14 teams, comprising nine foreign teams and five national teams.

The Molvcass Jazz Festival will be organized at the Merdeka Square on Sept 18-22 to highlight the sporting event.