Cyclists From 18 Countries To Join Tour De Lombok Mandalika

MATARAM, W Nusa Tenggara, April 2 (Antara) - Cyclists from 18 countries have confirmed their participation in the 2018 Tour de Lombok Mandalika (TdLM) international cycling event to be held in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, on April 13-15 April. "Today, we launch the plan to organize Tour de Lombok Mandalika 2018, and at the same time we announce the cycling race route," Lalu Mohammad Faozal, head of the NTB tourism office, said during the launch here, Sunday. Being part of the 2.2. level Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) race series, the Tour de Lombok Mandalika will be divided into three stages. The first stage is Kuta Mandalika-Mataram City spanning 84.4 kilometers. It will start from Kuta Beach located in the Special Economic Zone (KEK) of Mandalika, and finish in the NTB Governor Office in Mataram City. The participating cyclists will pass Sasak traditional kampongs in Sade and Ende in Central Lombok, beaches and rice fields. The second stage is Mataram-Sembalun in East Lombok, covering a distance of 172.4 km. The start will be from the NTB Islamic Center complex, and the finish line will be in Sembalun village in East Lombok. Located in the foot of Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Sembalun won an international award as the Best Halal Honeymoon Destination in 2015. The third stage is a circuit in Mataram City at a distance of 110 km. The start and finish lines will be in Sangkareang Park. The route includes Ampenan beach and Ampenan old city. Lombok is being designated as an international-class sport tourism destination through this cycling race. Faozal is optimistic that Tour de Lombok Mandalika will serve as an effective promotion to attract foreign and domestic tourists. Winners of the TdLM 2018 will receive UCI points and prizes worth Rp350 million.