Tour de Timor

Thanks again to those who joined us for the 2011 Tour De Timor. Your friendship, good will and physical determination touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands of Timorese and has made a marked contribution to Timor-Leste.
Preparations are now underway for the 2012 Tour de Timor (10-15 Sep 2012), which is set to be a historic event on many levels.
As the President mentioned in the closing ceremony last year, we will be taking TDT across the border traveling through Indonesia to the enclave of Oecusse. 2012 is also a very special year for Timor-Leste marking the 10th anniversary of Restoration of Independence as well as the 500th anniversary of the first Portuguese arriving (in Oecusse) and the 100th anniversary of the Dom Boa Ventura uprising in Same. 2012 will also see through the third round of democratic Presidential and Government elections.
TdT 2012 will again be a six day event starting and finishing in Dili, traveling through the western region of Timor-Leste before crossing the border and heading to the Timor-Leste enclave of Oecusse. The return journey to Dili includes an exciting ride up past the historic town of Balibo and into the Mambae coffee growing country. The 2012 course is set to be a much faster race, which will be exciting for spectators and should allow participants to do more exploration and relaxation on arrival at evening locations. We will have four nights by the ocean and one night in the cool lush coffee growing country of Gleno.
TdT 2012 will include the following:
• Shorter or faster stages - allowing riders to be in camp by early afternoon;
• Limited number of riders (max 300 international and 75 national);
• Increase in showers with proportionate gender allocation;
• Improved toilets facilities;
• Improvements to food service, with emphasis on strict time delivery;
• Improved website with increased and accurate information flow;
• More bikes for sale pre-TdT; and
• Airport transfers to continue.
So are you ready for another round? Tour de Timor 2012 stage maps are on the TDT website and online registration is now open.
Timor-Leste is located in Southeast Asia, on the southernmost edge of the Indonesian archipelago, northwest of Australia. The country includes the eastern half of Timor island as well as the Oecussi exclave in the northwest portion of Indonesian West Timor, and the islands of Atauro and Jaco. The mixed Malay and Pacific Islander culture of the Timorese people reflects the geography of the country on the border of those two cultural areas. Portuguese influence during the centuries of colonial rule resulted in a substantial majority of the population identifying itself as Roman Catholic. Some of those who consider themselves Catholic practice a mixed form of religion that includes local animist customs.
Portuguese and Dutch traders made the first western contact with Timor in the early 16th century. Sandalwood and spice traders, as well as missionaries, maintained sporadic contact with the island until 1642, when the Portuguese moved into Timor in strength. The Portuguese and the Dutch, based at the western end of the island in Kupang, battled for influence until the present-day borders were agreed to by the colonial powers in 1906. Imperial Japan occupied East Timor from 1942-45. Portugal resumed colonial authority over East Timor in 1945 after the Japanese defeat in World War II.
The Indonesian occupation of Timor was initially characterized by a program of brutal military repression. Beginning in the late 1980s, however, the occupation was increasingly characterized by programs to win the "hearts-and-minds" of the Timorese through the use of economic development assistance and job creation while maintaining a strict policy of political repression, although serious human rights violations--such as the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre--continued. Estimates of the number of Timorese who lost their lives to violence and hunger during the Indonesian occupation range from 100,000 to 250,000. On January 27, 1999, Indonesian President B.J. Habibie announced his government's desire to hold a referendum in which the people of East Timor would choose between autonomy within Indonesia and independence. Under an agreement among the United Nations, Portugal, and Indonesia, the referendum was held on August 30, 1999. When the results were announced on September 4--78% voted for independence with a 98.6% turnout--Timorese militias organized and supported by the Indonesian military (TNI) commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The TNI killed approximately 1,300 Timorese and forcibly relocated as many as 300,000 people into West Timor as refugees. The majority of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly 100% of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On September 20, 1999 the Australian-led peacekeeping troops of the International Force for East Timor (INTERFET) deployed to the country, bringing the violence to an end.
T imor-Leste became a fully independent republic with a parliamentary form of government on May 20, 2002, following approximately two and a half years under the authority of the UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). In February 2006, approximately 400 military personnel (from a total military strength of 1,400) petitioned President Gusmao to address their complaints of discrimination. The commander of the country's armed forces (F-FDTL) dismissed the petitioners, who reacted with a demonstration that flared into violence on April 28. In response to the escalating unrest, large numbers of people began to flee their homes for internally displaced persons (IDP) camps or the outlying districts. The violence mounted with a series of deadly clashes among the F-FDTL, dissident military forces, civilians, and some police occurring on May 23-25. After these clashes civil order collapsed. Mob and gang violence took over the capital, resulting in additional deaths, widespread destruction of property, and the continued displacement of thousands of Dili residents. At the peak of the crisis, there was a national total of about 150,000 IDPs.
Facing a full-scale collapse of civil order, the Government of Timor-Leste on May 28 requested the Governments of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Portugal to send security forces to stabilize the country. Under heavy domestic political pressure due to his handling of the crisis, Prime Minister Alkatiri resigned on June 27. Jose Ramos-Horta--the Foreign and Defense Minister in the Alkatiri government--became Prime Minister on July 10, and a new cabinet was sworn in on July 14, 2006.
On August 25, 2006 the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1704, creating the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT). UNMIT’s mandate was to assist in restoring stability, rebuilding the institutions comprising the security sector, supporting the Government of Timor-Leste in conducting the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections, and achieving accountability for the crimes against humanity and other atrocities committed in 1999, among other aims.
On February 11, 2008 followers of former military police commander and fugitive Alfredo Reinado attacked President Ramos-Horta. Ramos-Horta sustained gunshot injuries and was airlifted to Darwin, Australia, where he underwent medical treatment. Prime Minister Gusmao escaped unharmed after his bodyguards thwarted a separate attack against him the same day as the attack on the president. The president's bodyguards killed Reinado. . President Ramos-Horta returned to Timor-Leste on April 17.
And so, the adventure of a lifetime began with an email from Tinker following an invitation to the 3rd edition of the Tour de Timor from President Jose Ramos Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Laureate whose forward thinking led to the creation of this epic 6 day 600 kilometer mountainous MTB race, symbolic of his nations struggle for Independence and P peace. This year featured over 100 Timorese Riders selected from every region of the country through a National Selection process. The positive effect of Sports, Cycling & Marathons is helping to rehabilitate a traumatized nation recover and look to the future.
The Tour of Timor offers over US$100,000 in prize money, by far the biggest purse worldwide for an MTB race, and attracts a Star Studded field, Top Gun Riders from Australia; U23 World Champion and Australian National Champion Paul van der Ploeg along with teammate and U23 National Champion Luke Fetch. Also from Australia, the top finishers included World MTB Orienteering Champion Adrian Jackson, National Marathon Champion Ben Mather, and veteran Australian National MTB Champion Rohin Adams, among many other notable athletes including the legendary Tinker Juarez, Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. It would prove to be a hard earned fight, a long Dash for the Cash.................
And so, here we are at the start line, and off we go...................
Stage 1 – Dili to Laclubar – 11 September 2011, 112K
The first stage of the 2011 Tour de Timor was taken out in 4h12:59 by returning champion “AJ” from the Rapid Cycling team. Second place was taken by Paul van der Ploeg in 4h17:25, third by Luke Fetch a further 1:12 behind – both of team Search to Retain – then in fourth was Tinker Juarez also in the Rapid Cycling team with a time of 4h19:41.
Legendary rider Tinker Juarez made an early break at the turnoff before Manatuto. While he rode hard during the Mountain Climb, earning himself the King of the Mountain jersey, he was eventually reeled in by riders Adrian Jackson, brothers Neil and Paul van der Ploeg and their teammates Luke Fetch and Scott Liston. As the riders took the chance to cool down “It got really hot”, said Juarez. “You just kinda do what you gotta do, it would have been nice to have someone to ride with on the break away”.
Stage 2 – Laclubar to Beacu - 12 September, 122K
The second stage of the 2011 Tour de Timor was taken out by Luke Fetch and Paul van der Ploeg in 4h12:10 and 4h12:11. The duo entered Beaco together, victorious having won the days battle for ascendancy. The pair was able to get 13 minutes and 25 seconds ahead of yesterday’s winner, Adrian Jackson, who along with his team mate Ben Mather, flatted early in the race. Tinker Juarez has been continuing his strong run of form with a third place finish.
Tinker Juarez who finished in 4h23:30, was taken aback by the pace of the Tour so far. “I just knew that today was going to be a tough day, I think I did a little too much yesterday pushing it too hard. I think today was harder, much harder”.
Talking about the crowd support Juarez explained that “It’s about the only thing that could keep me motivated, the people were really, really fun to see, even having my worst day I still love to see the kids and wave to them. At least I can take that positive away.”
Beaco is a small village on the South Coast of Timor. It is part of the Viqueque district and looks out across the Timor Sea towards Australia. The village is the site of several Portuguese era buildings including a church and a trading post. Although the beach itself looks inviting, word from the locals is to keep out of the water: crocodiles abound.
Stage 3 – Beacu to Iliomar – 13 September, 69K
The third stage of the Tour de Timor saw Luke Fetch and Paul van der Ploeg extend their lead. Van der Ploeg took out the stage in 2h33:34 alongside team mate Fetch. The Rapid Cycling team of Adrian Jackson, Tinker Juarez and Ben Mather came third to fifth respectively, with Jackson 2 minutes 27 seconds behind van der Ploeg.
Juarez again showed his strength with another solid ride bringing him into fourth place. “Scenery was awesome, it definitely made me want to just pull over to the side, it was amazing to see so much beach with no one there” he said. “This stage is so far my favorite one”.
The 69km stage was a largely coastal route winding inland at time to pass by crops of rice and corn. Riders were treated to a near constant supply of villages and inhabitants cheering them on for the first 45km before the route took an inland turn onto a rough, loose road winding its way through forest, over river and eventually up an ascent into Iliomar.
Iliomar is the capital of the sub-district, also named Iliomar, in the district of Lautem. Iliomar’s population at the 2004 census was approximately 7000. There has been some level of development since 2004, but the town has retained its charming village atmosphere. Word from riders is that Iliomar’s children have given the loudest welcome to finishers yet.
Stage 4 – Iliomar to Com – 14 September , 85K
Rapid Cycling pulls in the stage, van der Ploeg loses yellow jersey
After flatting twice, Paul van der Ploeg has lost the yellow jersey to team-mate Luke Fetch. The fourth stage of the Tour de Timor was won by Ben Mather in 2h31:48. Fetch from Search 2 Retain was in second with 2h35:53 while Alex Denham of Fitzroy Revolution Orbea took 3rd in 2h35:54.
Tinker Juarez came in 5th with a time of 2h36:35 “The stage was a really good stage, for myself I just had another one of my bad days, my legs were really heavy”. Juarez was characteristically upbeat about the race, “I tell you one thing, whenever things are feeling bad in yourself, you always look around and there are positive things around you too. It’s definitely always a beautiful scene when you see all of these beautiful kids out there”.
Stage 5 – Com to Manatuto – 15 September, 142K
Malaysian Fauzan dominates stage 5
Muhammad Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi of team Malaysia arrived in Manatuto in 4h11:23. Matt King of Skytrans came in second in 4h12:47 as part of a three-man chase group with Ashley Hayat of Fitzroy Revolution in 4h12:50 and Ben Mather of Rapid Cycling in 4h12:54, trying to catch Fauzan.
Fauzan said of his race: “I’m really tired, this is the furthest stage yet. Today I thought it was good to put some pressure on the other riders, I felt good. At the first KOM they were just pushing themselves hard, I just followed them, stayed with the pack. At the second KOM I decided to break away from everyone and I had to go alone because all of my other team mates were tired”.
Tinker Juarez was again amongst the top in a time of 4h16:12 as part of the first major group approximately five and a half minutes behind the winner. “The roads were about the best you could ask for in this kind of racing, it was so smooth, the whole day gave us some rest” said Juarez. “My strategy was to just stay with the peloton, we were trying to catch the breakaways, but at one point they caught us off guard, we got as close as about a minute, by the time we got our water and did everything they were gone so we really blew our chances, the other group was already long gone so we shut it off and just rode a group together”.
“I think I blew my chances in the King of the Mountains, there are three strong guys just blazing up the hill like it’s a downhill.” “I’m thinking now I just want to have a good day tomorrow so I can be happy”.
Orlando da Costa was again first of the Timorese males with a time of 4h30:49 in 30th place. He was closely followed by brother Jacinto da Costa and team mate Antonio Martins.
Ahmad Yani of team Merpati Indonesia came in top Indonesian and in 20th place overall in the second major group arriving 11 minutes after the breakaway. “I’m getting more tired with each stage, and with 140 kilometers, plus the heat and strong winds, I just stayed with the pack. I just kept my energy by keeping with the pack.”
On Timor, Yani continued to be impressed with the country “This stage is different to the others, I thought the beaches were really nice. I was really surprised to see how nice people were even though they knew I was Indonesian.”
“The locals are already so crazy here, they just go nuts, the atmosphere will be amazing, I’m really looking forward to it”
The ride today is the longest in Tour de Timor history at 142km. The road is mostly good, sealed bitumen, including the 10km hill climb through Baucau before heading back down to the coast to stop over in Manatuto.
Manatuto is capital of the sub-district and district, also named Manatuto. It is known for its pottery, salt production and the amazing diving along the coast line back towards Dili. Riders will tomorrow be retracing their voyage from the first day of the Tour when they head back along the same stretch of coast before a special tour of Dili’s bairos
Stage 6 – Manatuto to Dili – 16 September , 85K
Luke Fetch wins Tour de Timor
The President of the Republic, HE José Ramos-Horta congratulated Australian Luke Fetch, who has taken out the 2011 Tour de Timor open male title, crossing the finish line today as part of the main peloton. Retaining the yellow jersey, Fetch from Search 2 Retain held off the strong competition to take home the $10,000 USD prize money. Peta Mullens took out the open women’s title after another strong finish in today’s final stage.
Dr José Ramos-Horta saw riders descending an incredibly challenging section of the day’s route, which stretched over some 8 kms of dry riverbed from a bridge overlooking the race. Making his way back to the finish line in his trademark mini-moke he greeted the crowds and riders: “Today has been spectacular, despite the challenges experienced this race has become a great success. Next year I want the Tour de Timor to visit the final district that the race has not passed through: Oekussi. If it is possible perhaps we will celebrate the ten year anniversary of Timor-Leste’s Restoration of Independence with a race that will visit Kupang, Atambua and Ambeno in Oekussi.”
Today’s stage was taken out by Malaysia’s Muhammad Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi who finished with a time of 2h37:34, followed by Neil van der Ploeg and Ashley Hayat in 2h29:42.
Tinker Juarez finished the event with a strong ride in the main group. “Today the main priority was keeping out of trouble, keeping the road side up and ensuring not get any flats,” he said.
“It was quite exciting to see all the supporters and the roads closed. Every corner and every block was just full of people which was incredible. To me the event was first class and I’d love to get a couple of team riders out here next year.”
The 2011 Tour de Timor has been an overwhelming success for the riders and for Timor-Leste. The event has pushed Timor further into the spotlight as a new destination for adventure tourism and intrepid travel. This year, close to 1000 participants including riders, support, media and VIPs made the trip through Laclubar, Beacu, Iliomar, Com, Manatuto and back to Dili.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
And so, as the Tour of Timor draws to an end, we recount the adventure. When in Dilli, on the 1st & last nights, Tinker and myself were invited to stay with the President. This hospitality really made the trip for us. On the start line, a formidable journey lay ahead, 6 days, 600k, with approximately 25,000 feet of climbing over mostly rough terrain & 4 nights of camping at different locations. Moving 1000 people, consisting of 450 participants, 400 volunteers, an 18-person team of doctors and nurses from the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre at Royal Darwin Hospital, St John paramedics, an Australian University team of Physiotherapists and a UN forward & rear convoy ;
The UN move ahead, silently, setting up Field Camp at destination & build temporary Field Toilets & Showers , just like a UN Peacekeeping Filed Operation. Local buildings are utilized in which to serve the ravenous hoards of hot & hungry bikers, staff & volunteers. A large field near the finish fills with tents until you get lost and it becomes difficult to find your own tent
The race creates a positive effect on the population through every village where all the villagers are out all day, screaming and cheering and waving flags. Bon Dia. Viva Timor Leste, Viva!
As the race heads into the mountains, the climate changes & the scenery becomes reminiscent of the Himalayas, Thailand’s Golden Triangle & Bali all rolled into one.
As we descend into Coma, the beauty of the coastline is the reward for a hard days riding & climbing, taking glances of the pristine beaches while maneuvering the technical descent. While the waters look most inviting, it is not advisable to swim here. Home to one of the last bastions of the Salt Water Crocodile that grow up to 3.5 meters in length, they are a protected species , sacred and worshipped in this primarily animalist culture. While a few people did splash around, a 2 meter 'Salty' was spotted right there in front of us at 7 pm.
Is the race hard? It's like doing the hardest thing in your life every day for 6 days. It's just like doing 6 Mountain Stages of the Tour de France, day after day............
One morning at 4 a.m., the local village headman treated us to some words of wisdom, standing on a knoll above the sea of tents, waking everyone up, ranting and raving in Tetun, the local language, the translation went something like this; 'You have come too far on you bicycles. It is too far to pedal. Turn around now. Go back to your homes. You must be crazy!' This went on for half an hour, nobody told him to shut up, it was a very early start to the day, Actually we were half way through the race, and whichever way we went would be about the same distance. We had ridden our bikes from, and riding our bikes to places a lot have these locals had not been yet.
As our trip draws to a close on the Saturday morning, day of departure, after having camped out all week, we are having the most tasty breakfast& great coffee with the President, Mr. Gunner of Norway, 14 years Nobel Peace Prize Committee, Australian Army Chaplain Gary Stone & his wonderful wife, and of course, Tinker. The conversation focusses on the Nobel Laureates that the President has lined every month for the next year to promote peace in Timor Leste, & whether or not Bishop Desmond Tutu was fit to travel. Timor Leste is most fortunate in having the most forward looking president that is passionate about his people and country. Viva President Jose Ramos Horta! Viva Timor Leste! VIVA!