REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANYUWANGI -- Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi is scheduled to flag off the International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI), or Tour de Ijen, on Wednesday, according to Banyuwangi district administration spokesman Juang Pribadi.

"The minister is scheduled to arrive in Banyuwangi from Denpasar on Tuesday afternoon to join thousands of people in the 'Cycling for All' event and then to open the ITdBI on Wednesday," Juang remarked here on Tuesday morning.

He noted that Banyuwangi Mayor Abdullah Azwar Anas, the bikers from 25 countries, tourists, and Banyuwangi residents will participate in the "Cycling for All" event.

Juang remarked that Cycling for All is a new concept in this year's ITdBI.

Tourism Minister Arief Yahya recently stated in Jakarta that the four-day ITdBI scheduled on May 6-9, 2015, aims to promote tourism in Banyuwangi, especially the Ijen mountain resort.

Situated between the districts of Bondowoso and Banyuwangi, the Ijen plateau, also known as "Kawah Ijen," has much to offer and is a highly recommended destination for mountaineers and hikers.

"Sport tourism such as the ITdBI has a great impact in promoting the tourist attractions in Banyuwangi as a part of Wonderful Indonesia and Indonesian Charm, or Pesona Indonesia," the minister affirmed.

Arief noted that the ITdBI this year is part of Banyuwangi's tourism calendar of events and is also a race that is part of the "Union Cycliste Internationale" (UCI) calendar.

This international bike race is expected to have the participation of cyclists from 25 countries, including France, Canada, the United States, Japan, Thailand, Iran, Spain, Malaysia, the Philippines, Australia, South Korea, China, Italy, Uzbekistan, and Indonesia as the host country.

ITdBI Chairman Guntur Priambodo remarked that the bike racing event in Banyuwangi this year will certainly be more competitive as the participants will make all-out efforts to climb the Ijen mountain resort.

"They will cycle around the area of Banyuwangi and end with a race to climb Mount Ijen, a famous active volcano in the world with "blue fire" phenomenon in its crater," Guntur noted.

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