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Central Lombok District Head, H. Lalu Pathul Bahri (middle), in the L'Etape Indonesia by Tour de France press conference in Mandalika, Saturday (February 19, 2022). (ANTARA/Akhyar/KT) - 

L'Etape Indonesia by Tour de France scheduled to be held in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone on Sunday, February 20, 2022, will drive the local economy post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Central Lombok District Head, H. Lalu Pathul Bahri, made the statement at the L'Etape Indonesia Lombok press conference in West Nusa Tenggara on Saturday.

"Some 1,308 cyclists will be present at the cycling race in Mandalika, as the racers need food, beverages, transportation, and accommodation. Moreover, it is important to drive the local economy," Bahri remarked.

The sports tourism event will have a major positive impact on the people of Central Lombok, as money circulation was estimated to reach Rp5 billion and can boost the region's income and improve the MSMEs' economy.

Bahri stated that L'Etape event coincides with the Bau Nyale festival in Seger Beach in addition to the MotoGP at the Pertamina Mandalika Circuit that has hugely supported the communities.

"All the events aim to support the local economy. If there is no problem, then the activities can run safely and smoothly," he remarked.

Event Director of L'Etape Indonesia by Tour de France Zacky Badruddin stated that L'Etape is held in 21 countries, and in the Indonesia First Edition, the number of participants that had registered totalled 1,308 riders comprising Indonesians and foreign tourists that had settled in Indonesia.

"Mandalika has huge potential for sports tourism, as it has beautiful hills, beaches, and roads," Badruddin stated.

Cycling racers will start in Mandalika and pass through a bypass road, Sade, Selong Belanak, and Torok Aik Belek and thereafter return back to Mandalika.

"The race will be divided into two categories based on distance, specifically 124 km and 84 km," he added.

The cycling race is held amid the pandemic, so COVID-19 health protocols are being implemented and the CHSE standardization is being followed. All participants will undergo swab antigen testing//ANT