Record number of participants in Cyprus Cycling Tour 2015

 With less than ten days to go until the start of the Cyprus Cycling Tour 2015, a record number of participants have expressed their interest in participating, according to organisers.

 Over 200 cyclists, half of them foreigners, have registered for the race, which begins Friday, March 27 in Limassol and continues during the weekend in and around Paphos.

 “There are over 200 participants, which is a very large number, the largest we have ever had in this race. Almost half are foreign cyclists, coming from different European countries. They are semi-professionals, who come to Cyprus to combine a demanding road cycling race, along with sport tourism, ” said Michael Hadjioanou on behalf of the organisers Bikin `Cyprus.

The first stage starts from Limassol and finishes in Paphos with only 623m of ascent. It is a stage for fast rolling and for the legs to pick up some speed.

The second day keeps the character of the mountainous stage with 1496m of ascent. Starting from Paphos, entering the Diarizos Valley to climb up to Ayios Nikolaos, Arsos and have the timed section finishing in Mallia.

The third day is short and of average difficulty, “a happy ending” to the 3-day tour, according to organisers.

The VW Tour is taking place from the 27th to the 29th March 2015.

The stages are as follows:

 Day 1 – Limassol to Pafos 75km, 654m ascent, Timed section 38km – From Kourion (18km) to Kouklia (56km)

Day 2 – Pafos to Agios Nikolaos – Pafos, 100km, 1496m ascent, Timed section 44km – From Kouklia (14,5km) to Malia / Dora (58,7km)

Day 3 – Pafos – Kritou Terra – Kathikas – Stroumpi – Tsada 63km, 608m ascent, Timed section 47,6km starts in Pegia and finishes in Tsada (CNA)