Cuban cycling tour kicks off today

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 16 (acn) The official opening of the Guantánamo-Pinar del Rio-Havana National Road Cycling Classic, which will start today in the first of these cities, took place yesterday with the presence of riders from all over Cuba.

Hector Ruiz Mendoza, National Cycling Commissioner, presided over the opening ceremony of the tour, where several former athletes, glories of the sport, especially the members of Guantanamo squads that won in 1979 and 1989 the Cuban Tour, were recognized.
The event occurred in the central House of Culture of the city, and the local veterans who served on the Orientales team in the first edition of the tour (1964) were also honored.
The start of the competition is scheduled for 10am, and this first stage is of a distance of 60 kilometers and will include an intermediate sprint.
Alberto Artimez Romero, an official of the Provincial Cycling Department, told ACN that expectations of the territory are to improve or ratify its last year position, when the Cuban easternmost region finished third.
He said the Guantanamo team is strong, young and talented, with highlights for Onel Santa Clara Lores, winner in 2015 of the point classification, and Jose Luis Lopez Tito, who won that time the U-23 event; and Damián Martínez Ortega, champion of the 2006 Cuban Tour, who will reappear with the team in this edition.