Tour de Korea

Tour de Korea (officially named "Hyundai Capital Invitational Tour de Korea) is a cycling competition in South Korea and part of the UCI Asia Tour and sponsored by the Korea Cycling Federation.

History

It has gathered national attention when Lance Armstrong, a seven times Tour de France champion, was seen competing among other cyclers. The competition began in Seoul and passed through Chuncheon, Yangyang, Danyang, Yeongi, Jungeup, Gangjin, and Hamyang, before ending in Busan. Tour de Korea is the only intra-national cycling competition in South Korea. The predecessor to Tour de Korea was stopped in 1997 due to financial strains. Tour de Korea is divided into two divisions: Elite for invitees and competitive cyclers, and a "Special race" for cycling club teams. The Special race, in 2007, was the subject of some controversy as it proscribed admittance of any competitors from outside of South Korea. It is reported that the South Korea's governing body for cycling, the Korean Cycling Federation, in response to that controversy and in keeping with the international image and theme of the race, will allow anyone to join in 2008 regardless of race or country.

Its course is 1500km long and it is the longest cycling competition in Asia.

In 2007, it was comprised exclusively of point-to-point road race stages.

Past winners

References