Tour de France Thailand 2014 - Earlier reports state that Thailand would play host to the biggest biking competition in the world. However, the Amaury Sports Organisation was quick to dismiss the reports stating Thailand was only one of the possible locations for a criterium.
A criterium is referred to as a one-day race through a city that would attract the winner of the Tour de France. Reportedly, the Tour de France Thailand 2014 is one of the countries in talks for the criterium, which is contrary to early reports by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Thailand had boasted that they were in negotiations with organisers of the race. The Tour de France Thailand 2014 was reported to be hosted by the Asian country.
"We are still talking with Tour de France organisers but we are looking at next fiscal year. So 2016, not 2015. We're not sure yet how many stages we will hold whether it is one or two stages or the whole competition. This is something that still needs to be discussed. Thailand is the perfect location for this highly prestigious competition, not to mention that cycling as a sport is enjoying enormous popularity here at the moment," stated Governor Thawatchai Arunyik of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
However, with regards to the Tour de France Thailand 2014, the Amaury Sports Organisation was quick to dismiss the claims.
"There are talks indeed but not to bring the Tour to Thailand. There are discussions to settle in Thailand via a criterium, just like we did in Japan with the 'Saitama Criterium by Le Tour de France,'" stated the spokesman of the sports organisation.
While the Tour de France Thailand 2014 is unlikely to happen, the Grand Depart is set to happen in the Netherlands particularly in Utrecht. Organisers of the tour plans to spread it to more countries given even more countries have expressed their interest to host the prestigious bike race.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
