THE fifth annual Tour de Timor kicked off controversially on Monday (2/09) with a group of more than 30 Timorese cyclists protesting at the starting line about the lack of government support for national cyclists.
The group of protesters registered to take part in the Tour de Timor but say they couldn’t ride because the organizers of the race didn’t help fund bike repairs.
Only 60 cyclists will continue on the gruelling five-day race, after the rest of the more than 176 people who initially registered pulled out.
One of the protesting cyclists, Carlos da Cruz E Silva, said in previous years cyclists were given new bikes or maintenance support before the race.
“But in 2013, we were given zero support. Not one thing was given to athletes,” he said.
He said the group had submitted reports to the Cycling Federation about the problems with their bikes, but they had received no support.
“Next year if they change some things about the Tour de Timor then we can take part, and we would like to take part, as we like to see peace and stability in our nation,” he said.
While in its fifth year, this year marks the first time the Ministry of Tourism has organized the Tour de Timor following a handover from the office of the President.
Since the handover the budget for the race has been significantly reduced, with government funding cut from $300,000 to $150,000 and a reduction in sponsor support.
The Tour de Timor first started in 2009 as an initiative of former President Jose Ramos-Horta to promote peace and showcase the tourism potential of Timor-Leste.
Malaysian rider Shahrin Bin Amir won the first stage of the gruelling race with a time of 4 hours and 26 minutes, while Francelina ‘Anche’ Cabral was the fastest woman, with a time of 5 hours and 37 minutes.
Tour de Timor general coordinator Aquilino S. Caeiro acknowledged the group of cyclists went to the starting line but then refused to participate in the race.
“This is their right to decide whether to race or not, we do not force anyone, “ he said.
He also said next year would be better than this year, as it was the first time the ministry had organized the race.
“When we work together the Tour de Timor will be a bigger success, for Timorese to show each other that we also can do this.”
This year the 5-day mountain bike race will pass through Baucau, Ossu, Manufahi, Aileu, Ermera and Liquica before returning to Dili.
The Minister of Tourism Francisco Kalbuadi Lay said next year the team would try to find more funding through sponsors, as the government has other priorities.
“I know there are different priorities we have to pay attention to. Our attention at this moment is on education and health, and this is one of the sporting activities out of many sporting activities we’re going to organize,” he said last week.
