KUALA LUMPUR: The Harian Metro Mountain Bike Grand Prix Cuti-Cuti 1Malaysia 2014 is now back for the second year after becoming the talk of cycling enthusiasts not only across the country but foreign as well.
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the Grand Prix will kicked off in five locations starting at Kuala Kangsar, Perak on 24 Aug, Hulu Selangor (28 Sept), Hutan Lipur Bukit Panchor, Pulau Pinang (26 Oct), Melaka (30 Nov) and Temerloh, Pahang (27 Dis).
Nazri said encouragement and support for cycling programs across the country should be continued as it had formed a trend which received overwhelming response from all walks of life in this country, especially government bodies, NGOs, private companies and others.
“This event is expected to attract mountain bikers from around the nation, including neighbour countries such as Singapore and Thailand where there are thousands of avid cyclists keen to join regional competitions,” he said at the launching of the Grand Prix in Malaysian Tourism Centre, here, earlier today.
He added that the event was a part of an ongoing program initiated by Tourism Malaysia to promote cycle tourism in the country as a way to encourage a healthy lifestyle and support more green tourism activities.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, Harian Metro group editor Datuk Mustapa Omar and Harian Metro deputy group editor Abdul Ghafar Ismail as the chairman of the event were also present.
The Grand Prix is divided into two main races – Jamboree Metro Open and XC Metro involving a 40-kilometre route, where the winner for each category will bring home a cash prize of RM2,500, trophy, medal and a jersey.