The Algarve’s tourist board is to support the 5th ‘Algarve Bike Challenge’ due to take place from 3 to 5 March 2017.
The competition brings together amateurs and the elite of the biking world to face the challenge of the hills, mountains and the coast, beginning in Tavira and heading off into the hills.
There are two competitions: the Algarve Bike Challenge UCI exclusively for top notch competitors with racing licenses, and the Algarve Bike Challenge Open Race which is open to all.
The tourist board, "intends to promote nature and sport tourism in the region and attract more tourists during the low season, showing off the natural beauty of the Algarve, the quality of its routes, its culture, gastronomy and the excellence of the local accommodation available."
Desidério Silva, tourism supremo for the Algarve, said these events are important "in the region's leverage as a destination of excellence for the practice of cycling outside the high season of sun and beach tourism," and considers cycling "a strategic product to promote and a great way to discover the Algarve."
"We want to make the Algarve one of the largest cycling destinations in Europe and to attract tourists in the low season, so providing these challenges plays an important role in this goal," added Silva.
The competition is organized by the Associação Clube BTT Conceição de Faro and has Silva's weighty support.
As for more leisurely bicycling along the pan-Algarvian ecovia, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, last month pledged that the route finally would be repaired and linked up, “whatever the cost” prior to its promotion as a key part of the region’s off-season tourism offering. No news has been announced as to where and when this will happen.
Comments