Tour de Timor underway
Minister of State and of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and
Official Spokesperson for the Government of Timor-Leste
Dili, September 16th, 2015
Tour de Timor underway
The seventh annual Tour de Timor set off from Dili on Sunday with over one hundred participating cyclists testing their skill and stamina over five challenging stages taking them through some of the most spectacular scenery in Timor-Leste. Fifty-nine international and fifty-one national riders started in this year’s race which is set to finish back in Dili on Thursday afternoon.
The Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, H.E. Dr. Rui Maria de Araújo, rode with the participants for the first thirty kilometers of the tour on Sunday morning, encouraging the international visitors to enjoy their time in Timor-Leste and supporting the national riders. Prime Minister Araújo, a medical doctor and former Minister of Health, is a keen cyclist and an enthusiastic advocate for health and fitness.
This year’s edition has taken the riders across the island of Timor from Dili to Laclubar, then on the sparkling waters of Betano on the south coast. Yesterday’s shorter stage headed north and uphill to Ainaro. Today is another shorter “mountain climbing” stage to Hatu Builico with spectacular views across the high country and hopefully lower temperatures. Tomorrow the race winds its way, mostly downhill, to Dili and a welcome rest for weary riders. An awards ceremony is to take place at the Dili Convention Centre in the evening.
The Tour de Timor is an internationally recognized race organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture and the Cycling Federation of Timor-Leste to boost tourism, shift perceptions, strengthen peace, harmony and national pride and provide opportunities for economic development.
Spokesperson for the Sixth Constitutional Government, Minister of State Agio Pereira noted “it is again a pleasure to support the annual Tour de Timor and to welcome visiting athletes from around the globe. We truly hope they have experienced the ride of a lifetime and have begun or are continuing an enduring friendship with Timor-Leste. We salute our national riders who train hard and improve year on year. The Government conveys it’s thanks to all the organizers, volunteers and sponsors who have invested in this event and applauds the many thousands of villagers and school children who have cheered on this seventh edition of the race.”
