JAKARTA, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's western region of Bintan is scheduled to host the Tour de Bintan cycling championship from March 23-25 with over 1,100 cyclists from 43 countries and regions.

The annual cycling event is part of the Union Cycliste International 2018 Gran Fondo World Series.

Indonesia Tourism Minister Arief Yahya hailed the resumption of the annual international sports tourism event.

"The event is effective for tourism promotion as it has high media value with massive coverage carried out from start to finish," the minister said.

Head of the Bintan Tourism Office Luki Zainal Prawira said that the the championship features a 17km Individual Time Trial, a 144km Gran Fondo Classic, a 111km Gran Fondo Century, a 82km Gran Fondo Challenge and a 55km Gran Fondo Discovery.