The 61st edition of the Tour of Venezuela will be held from October 6 to 13, paying an emotional tribute to cyclist Daniela Larreal, who passed away last August 16. With the participation of 14 teams, among them 4 international ones, this competition promises to be one of the most exciting of the last years.
This was announced by the Minister of People’s Power for Sports, Arnaldo Sánchez, and the president of the Venezuelan Cycling Federation (FVC), Eliezer Rojas, during a press conference held at the National Sports Institute.
The tour will cover more than 1000 kilometers through five states of the country: Mérida, Trujillo, Lara, Yaracuy, Carabobo and the Capital District. The cyclists will face demanding mountain stages, individual time trials and urban circuits.
In addition to the national teams, the Vuelta will have the presence of recognized international teams such as Team Medellín, Team Saitel, Team Gesprom and Team JB Ropa Deportiva Arroz Zulia Colombia. This guarantees a high competitive level and a first class show for the fans.
Minister Sanchez commented that “this tour will have more than 90 athletes among these 24 foreigners to compete” and added that “it will be a cycling party in honor of Daniela Larreal”; finally he thanked President Nicolás Maduro for all his support in promoting this tour.
Intense route
The entire route of this competition will accumulate a little more than a thousand kilometers. The first stage will begin in the state of Mérida, and will pass through Lagunillas, Santa Cruz de Mora and then 130 kilometers and will end in Mérida; the second day will have 180 kilometers from Santa Elena de Arenales in Mérida to Valera, Trujillo state.
The excitement of the third day will be in the state of Lara and will have a distance of 150 kilometers and will end in the Guara town of Carora; the fourth stage of this tour will be an individual time trial of 40 kilometers, having as starting point El Tocuyo.
The fifth chapter will end between Quibor and Yaracuy, with a demanding ascent to the ruins of El Castillo de San Vicente; the sixth stage will be a 120-kilometer circuit in San Felipe. And Valencia will live the actions of the penultimate stage, while in Caracas will close the tour with a route of 160 and 120 kilometers, respectively; the arrival will take place at the Teo Capriles Velodrome with a tribute to Daniela Larreal.
It should be recalled that the Tour of Venezuela is part of the calendar of the International Cycling Union and the UCI America Tour Calendar.