Panama to host cycling tour in October

The 11th edition of Tour de Panama cycling event will be held from October 20-25 in the Central American country.

The 2015 edition will be dedicated to the recently deceased Panamanian athlete, Monica Licona, reports Xinhua.

Some 265 cyclists have confirmed their participation in the Panamanian tour, including 115 women which, according to the organizers, is a surprisingly high number.

The organizers said on Friday that both men and women time-trials will be held on October 20.

On October 21, the route will start from Aguadulce, in the central province of Cocle, to Chitre, capital of Herrera province. Men will travel a 110-km distance while women will travel 53 km.

The third day will include the first mountain stage for men, with a 113-km route from Villa de los Santos to Chitre.

On October 23 the tour will go from Santiago de Veraguas to Ocu, in Herrera province, with a 104-km route for men and a 56-km one for women. The next day the circuit will go from Divisa, in Veraguas province, to La Pintada in Cocle.

The end of the tour will be in Panama City. Women will have to cover 30 laps of the circuit, while men will cover 120.