Taipei, March 1 (CNA) Eighteen cycling teams from 12 countries will compete in the 2006 Tour de Taiwan, Taiwan's most prestigious cycling event, from March 5-11, the Chinese Taipei Cycling Association (CTCA) announced in a press conference Wednesday.
The race will have seven stages and cover a distance of 764 kilometers, setting off from the southern city of Kaohsiung and finishing in Taipei City. In between, the route covers the eastern counties of Taitung, Hualien and Yilan.
Six prizes, including Individual General Classification, Team General Classification, King of Sprint, King of Mountain, Best Asian Rider and Best Local Rider will also be awarded to individual riders.
Merida Europe of Slovakia and Giant Asia Racing Team of Taiwan are expected to challenge the team title.
The Tour de Taiwan was first held in 1987 by CTCA and has been awarded the distinguished level of 2.2 by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
The destination in the race's final stage will be right next to the Taipei World Trade Center, where the Taipei International Cycle Show will be taking place. Both events end on the same day of March 11.