February 28, 2007 – The Tour of Laos scheduled for November 2007 will be the first ever international road race held in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) and it will be included in the Asian and World Calendars of Union Cycliste Internationale and Asian Cycling Confederation, with classification 2.2.

Invitations will be issued to leading teams from around the world, so that all the Continents will be represented in the field of 120 riders. As the Tour is scheduled to end shortly prior to the start of the South East Asia Games (SEA Games) countries eligible for the Games will be using the Tour as their final proving ground for their SEA Games teams. This will lead to intense competition both amongst themselves but also against the other teams coming in from Europe, Australia, America and Oceania.

The Tour has the full support of the Office of the Prime Minister of Laos, along with further support from the Provincial and City Administrations and the Ministry of Tourism.

Whilst the race route has not yet been finalised, the Tour will be starting from Vientiane – capital of Laos. The route will then head either north to Luang Prabang or south to Paxse, depending on final discussions with the Government and sponsors. Either route will see a 5 day race. If the northern route is selected, the riders will face some tough mountain climbs in their journey. The southern route is more undulating as it follows the valley of the beautiful Mekong River and parts of the former Ho Chi Minh Trail, the North Vietnamese supply line used during the Vietnam War.

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