体坛英语新闻：Six Cubans to compete in Tour of Venezuela

HAVANA, July 12 (Xinhua) -- Six Cuban cyclists will take part in the 50th Tour of Venezuela, to be held from July 19 to 28, Cuba' s National Cyclist Commissioner Hector Ruiz said Friday.

The team includes experienced cyclists Yennier Lopez, Yasmani Martinez, Jans Carlos Arias and Pedro Sibila, as well as young Victor Horta and Rafael Arrate.

"The team is a blend of young and experienced cyclists, in order to maximize the development of road cycling in the island," said Ruiz.

Ruiz added that the goal is to achieve a good position in the team category and try to win a place in the podium during the 10 states of the competition.

About the absence of Arnold Alcolea, Cuba's main road cycling figure, Ruiz said that it is due to "strategic reasons of the National Federation", since Alcolea is training for "other international competitions."

Alcolea was the Cuban with the best position in the pervious version, ending in the 16th position, at 4:34 minutes from the leader, Venezuelan Miguel Ubeto.

The 1,406-kilometer race, divided in 10 stages, is part of the UCI (International Cycling Union) America Tour and 18 teams will take part, including Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala and Italy.