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ew Zealand’s Jason Christie of Kenyan Riders Downunder won the first stage of the inaugural Tour de Flores international cycling race in Maumere, East Nusa Tenggara, on Thursday.

Christie clocked a time of 3 hours, 28 minutes and 41 seconds to lead the race, speeding along the 138.8-kilometer track.

Sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for the sport of cycling, the Tour de Flores offers competing cyclists a total of five stages that stretch for 743 km, from Larantuka in East Flores to Labuan Bajo in West Manggarai.

“The second stage takes a 141.3 km route from Maumere to Ende, the third stage is the 123.3 km Ende-Bajawa; the fourth is the 136.6 km Bajawa-Ruteng; and lastly, the fifth stage, a 121.5 km route from Ruteng to Labuhan Bajo,” said organizer Primus Dorimulu.

The debut event welcomed 20 teams around the globe, a total of 160 cyclists whom will race until May 23. Primus said future installments of the event would gradually include other areas in Flores. The Flores road race carries the spirit of sports tourism, similar to the established Tour de Singkarak and Tour de Banyuwangi Ijen, and was instigated with the expectation of boosting the local economy. NTT Governor Frans Lebu Raya said the Tour de Flores was established as an annual event, aimed at promoting Flores to an international audience.