Tuesday with the first stage running 153 kilometers from Baracoa to Guantanamo in the eastern most part of the island, reports Granma daily.

One hundred and fourteen cyclists are competing in the overall individual category, consistency, mountain, sprint and best under 23. Taking part are 19 different teams including 14 from Cuba and visiting squads from Germany, Mexico and Slovenia and the national teams from Venezuela and the Dominican Republic.

A novel feature this year are the two double legs set for February 11 (against the clock from Moron-Ciego de Avila and then on to Sancti Spiritus) and on February 13 (with the Cienfuegos circuit and on to Santa Clara).

Crisscrossing 60 of the islands municipalities from east to west the entire 13-stage road bicycle-racing event involves 1,791 kilometers and concludes on Sunday, February 17.

(www.cubanews.ain.cu)