The Ministry of Tourism for Timor-Leste, welcomed Airnorth representatives to Dili, Timor-Leste to announce their premium gold sponsorship of the 2013 Tour de Timor. Airnorth outlined their $290,000 USD support for the 2013 Tour de Timor, which will be the fifth time the MTB (mountain bike) race has been held. In addition Airnorth also announced their $75,000 USD sponsorship of the Dili Marathon.

This year the 2013 Tour de Timor promises to be the most challenging route ever as the race winds its way through the spectacular central mountain regions of Timor-Leste. Airnorth’s sponsorship will enable hundreds of Australian riders, support staff, volunteers and media to attend the annual Tour de Timor and the Dili Marathon.

Talking about the upcoming race in September the event coordinator Mr. Aquilino Caeiro said “It is with great pride that the Ministry of Tourism is able to announce the first major sponsor of the Ministry of Tourism’s international events for 2013. Airnorth has sponsored Timor-Leste’s premiere international sporting event since its conception in 2009 and this year’s race will continue to showcase Timor-Leste’s natural beauty and amazing tourism potential.”

During the press conference event coordinators displayed the 2013 Tour de Timor race route, this year’s race will have overnight camps in Baucau, Ossu, Alas, Maubisse and Liquica.

Mr. Caeiro went onto to say “It is my pleasure to invite our many friends in Australia to come and participate again in the race later this year in September. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Airnorth and its staff for their ongoing commitment to the Tour de Timor. Airnorth’s efforts to assist this event has been a major factor in driving the international notoriety of the race as the world’s most challenging MTB multi day cycling event.

Airnorth’s representative, Ms. Tammy Baczynski explained about AirNorth’s history with the race and their involvement for this year: “Airnorth are very pleased to announce our premium gold sponsorship of the 2013 Tour de Timor and Dili Marathon. We have a strong and continued commitment in supporting peace and development in Timor-Leste through sport and tourism. It is sponsorship of major events such as these that enables us to say thank you to the Timorese people for their support of Airnorth and our services that we have been operating for over 13 years.”

Around 400 riders are expected to ride together in what is fast becoming Asia’s most notorious (and lucrative) mountain bike race. The race will be held in September between the 2nd and the 8th. In addition the ‘Ride for Peace’ (a short distance non competitive ride involving school children and participants) will be held on the 1st of September in the capital of Dili.

For further information contact: info@tourdetimor.com or borrellsean@hotmail.com

REPÚBLICA DEMOCRÁTICA DE TIMOR LESTE

MINISTÉRIO DO TURISMO
GABINETE DO MINISTRO
Rua Martires da Patria, Faro Dili – Timor Leste, Phone: +670 3311499, Website: www.tourismtimorleste.com
25th of March 2013

As Timor-Leste’s new Minister of Tourism I have made an undertaking to develop and enhance this important sector to the fullest extent possible. It is with considerable pride that I can confirm 2013 will be the most exciting annual tourism events calendar in Timor-Leste’s history.

According to the Fifth Constitutional Government Plan 2013-2017, the Ministry of Tourism will continue to build a strong event portfolio to grow tourism in Timor-Leste well into the future. Some events build on successes from last year, such as Carnaval, Cultura Ramelau, Festival Danca Traditional and the Darwin to Dili Yacht Race, while others are brand new such as the Horse Racing Festival, Caravana Artistica and Miss Timor, an international standard beauty pageant for the young women of Timor-Leste.

The well-established international sporting events such as the Dili Marathon and the Tour de Timor are under the direction of the Ministry of Tourism. I wish to invite you to participate in the Tour de Timor, which will be in September.

Timor-Leste provides a unique setting for athletes from around the world to meet and compete in the spirit of international friendship and athletic excellence. International events such as the Dili Marathon, and the Tour de Timor, aim to be more than just world-class sporting competitions; they are a vital tool in promoting peace, national pride and development in the community.

The Tour de Timor continues to draw hundreds of enthusiastic riders and thanks to the broadcasting of the Tour de Timor series on the Outdoor Channel Asia, the race is now able to offer unique international branding and visibility opportunities for the event’s sponsors.

Francisco Kalbuadi Lay
Minister of Tourism

We are busy working on the events for 2013- (actually we never stopped). The Tour de Timor will be in September with online registration opening before Easter. Then paper registration for those already in Timor-Leste will open in May. So keep checking here for updates. As always, things move fast in Timor! Its time to dust off your bike and get training!

Details that we can give you right now:

• TdT 2013 will be a six stage race
• TdT 2013 will be in September (dates will be confirmed by end of March. It will be Monday to Saturday for the race with all participants in Dili by no later than Sunday morning)
• Guaranteed  mad mountain climbs and descents that only Timor can offer