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Tour de Bintan 2017: Asia’s Epic Cycling Challenge is Here again!

 

Combining thrilling challenges and picturesque rides across the fascinating landscape of Bintan Island, the epic cycling race of Tour de Bintan 2017 is back in full force, held on 3rd to 5th March 2017. Entering its 7th edition this year, this recognized as Asia’s premier cycling challenge, will see fierce competition of no less than 1,100 riders from all across the globe.

This year, Tour de Bintan, in the province of the Riau Islands, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the UCI label. The 17km Individual Time Trial and the 140km Gran Fondo Classic are now qualifiers for the Gran Fondo World Championships. Finish the first 25% in your age category and you are off to the 2017 World Championship in Albi, France!

Tour de Bintan 2017: Asia’s Epic Cycling Challenge is Here again!

As in previous years, the general classificationfor the race are: The 17KM Individual Time Trial, 140KM Gran Fondo Classic, and the 107KM Gran Fondo Century. For each age category the cyclist with the fastest accumulated time will be the winner and receives the Yellow Jersey.

In each age category, announced winner will be the cyclist with the fastest time. The top-3 cyclists in each age category will receive a trophy. All riders who cross the finish line within the same peloton will be credited with the same finish time. At each real break, a new time is recorded. Team cyclists can earn points towards a team ranking by finishing in the Individual Time Trial, Gran Fondo Classic or Gran Fondo Century. The finishing top-5 or top 25% in the age category will earn more points. The top-3 male and female teams with the highest total points will receive a trophy.

Aside from the competitive Gran Fondo races (ITT, Classic, and Century), there will be also the 82km Gran Fondo Challenge and the 55km Gran Fondo Discovery.

Tour de Bintan 2017: Asia’s Epic Cycling Challenge is Here again!

Showcasing the diverse beauty of Bintan, from stretching beaches through forests and hills in different parts of the Island, the tour route varies slightly each year. This year, race organizers, MetaSport, have designed the Time Trial course that will kick off the action on Friday 3rd March, with the start/finish line at the Plaza Lagoi in the Bintan Resorts area.

As previously, the centerpiece of Tour de Bintan will be the venerable 140KM pilgrimage through the heart of Bintan which is the Gran Fondo Classic that will take place on Saturday 4th March.

While there are no major climbs on this course, it is seldom flat, and the near constant diet of rolling hills and heat and humidity will ensure an epic day challenging their stamina in the saddle for all competitors. The standout feature of this course is the famous "red road" sector, which comes just 22km from the staging start at the village of Simpang Lagoi. It brings riders to the coast via 13km of short, sharp climbs on a road carved through a stunningly beautiful landscape, where the predominant red soil contrasts vividly with the bright green of stunted foliage.

Tour de Bintan 2017: Asia’s Epic Cycling Challenge is Here again!

The Tour de Bintan will conclude with Gran Fondo Century, a 107KM Sunday morning journey on 5th March through the scenic northwestern section of the island. The course honors are expected to be settled by fast and furious bunch sprints on the iconic finishing straight up into the Nirwana Gardens Finish line.

Part of the Tour de Bintan’s appeal is its location. The island is just an hour’s ferry trip from busy urban Singapore but on arrival it feels like you have stepped into another world. The lush green landscape, quiet and well-paved roads to ride on, and the generous hospitality of the easy-going local population, provide a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle of big cities. Regular ferries ply several times daily from Singapore and Malaysia and also between Batam and Bintan. Today, Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air and Sriwijaya Air operate frequent flights from Jakarta to the new airport at Tanjung Pinang.

For more information and registration log on to:www.tourdebintan.com

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