Tour of Cuba may run backwards

Organizers of the Tour of Cuba are considering change the direction of the race. The proposed change would run the race from west to east instead of its traditional east to west route.

Only one year, 1976, has the race gone this direction. According to Prensa Latina, it went from the western province of Pinar del Rio to the eastern village of Baracoa and world champions Ryzard Skurkowsi (Poland) and Eduard Papp (Soviet Union) participated.

Jose Pelaez, Cuban Cycling Federation President, finds the change in direction attractive because fans follow cycling more closely in the eastern provinces, so more could come to the later portions of the race. When the race has ended in the west, stages have been poorly attending, especially in Havana.

The 32nd Tour of Cuba is expecting teams from Mexico, Venezuela, Panama, Ecuador, Germany, Austria, and Canada.