Other events in Baltic States

In May 2013 Estonia will host the very first UCI stage race called Tour of Estonia. Tour of Estonia is a part of UCI Europe Tour and with it’s 4 stages lasts for 3 days, informed BC marketing and communication representative at Club Tartu Maraton Greete Kempel.

The tour takes off in Viimsi, just nearby Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, on the 30^th of May with 125 km (10x 12,5 km) and continues on the same day with the 3 km individual time trial in the heart of Tallinn – in the old town. The second day takes the riders through Estonia from Tallinn to the 2^nd largest city Tartu with 185 km, the tour will end on 1^st of June with attractive city loop Tartu GP – 150 km (12x12,5 km).

At the moment there are in total of 19 teams registered to Tour of Estonia, including for example pro-continental teams, Rusvelo (RUS), CCC Polsat Polkowice (POL) and Androni Giocattoli – Venezuela (VEN).

Race director Indrek Kelk: “Previously we have organized only one day races, but as the format of stage race is more attractive to the riders as well as to spectators, we have decided to move forward and to create a stage race. A tour gives much more room for tactical games and is therefore very interesting to follow. The other aspect is that due to Tour of Estonia, riders will also have a nice scenery as Estonia is famous for it’s beautiful nature. Tour takes the riders through 4 counties and 15 municipalities.” Kelk adds that the perspective is to prolong the tour to 4-5 days and to attract 2-3 World Tour teams to take part in the tour. “Feedback from the teams concerning the high quality of races allows us to hope that World Tour teams also find the tour attractive in the near future.”

Tour of Estonia 2013 lasts from the 30^th of May until 1^st of June. Right after the tour, on the 2^nd of June the biggest popular road race called in the Eastern Europe (SEB Tartu Rattaralli) will be held. A lot of pro cyclists who have taken part in the tour will also take part in the popular race giving the cycling fans an opportunity to ride side by side with the pro-cyclists.

Full information about the teams and stages can be found on the official website: www.tourofestonia.ee.