Tour of Cuba bike race starts tuesday
- Submitted by: admin
- Sports
- 02 / 13 / 2007
Cyclists from nine countries are set to begin the 32nd Tour of Cuba cycling competition on Tuesday in Baracoa, Guantanamo.
Cubas Pedro Pablo Perez seeks his fifth individual victory in the annual stage event that crisscrosses the island and ends in Havana.
A total of 132 cyclists from Mexico, Panama, Spain, Venezuela, Germany, Canada, Austria, San Marino and the hosts, Cuba, will take part in the race.
Among the repeat Tour of Cuba cyclists are Venezuelan Jose Chacon, second in 2004, Mexican Carlos Manuel Hernandez, first on points in 2000.
A United States cycling team was unable to obtain permission from the US Treasury Department to assist in the event as part of the Bush administrations tightening of the blockade which has seen, among other measures, an attempt to block sports and cultural exchanges with neighboring Cuba.
Austria, Canada and San Marino may be sending teams for the first time, but that doesnt take from their chances to place well as they are bringing several professional cyclists including two Russian bikers that are racing for San Marino.
The Mexican and Venezuelan teams are considered among the favorites for the 2007 Tour of Cuba.
Source: Periodico26.cu
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