REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANYUWANGI -- A total of 92 cyclists from 25 nations and grouped in 19 teams participated in the International Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen (ITdBI) 2018 that was flagged off by Banyuwangi District Head Azwar Anas here, Wednesday. Being held on Sept 26-29, ITdBI comprises four stages, stretching a total distance of 599 kilometers.

The first stage, stretched 153.1 kilometers, with start from the yard of Banyuwangi district head's office and finishing in the Rowo Bayu tourist resort in Songgon Sub-district, which has a green lake in the middle of a thick forest.

Australian cyclist Marcus Culey from the St George Continental Cycling Team was the first to reach the finish line in the first stage. Rowo Bayu is also the home of King Tawang Alun's remnants from the ancient Blambangan kingdom.

ITdBI is a sports tourism event aimed at promoting tourist destinations in Banyuwangi, Anas remarked.

This year, the route is four thousand meters longer than last year's route, according to Guntur Priambodo of the organizing committee of the 2.2 category cycling race.

The second stage, stretching 179.3 km, started from Kalibaru; the third stage, spanning 139.4 km; will start in Genteng, and the fourth stage measuring 127.2 km, with start from Sarongan and finish in Paltuding on Mount Ijen slope.

Of the 19 participating teams, 15 are foreign teams, including four continental teams, such as Kinan Cycling Team of Japan, Terengganu Cycling Team of Malaysia, and Ningxia Sports Livial of China.

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