Tour of Laos – 20–25 November 2007

The Tour of Laos is being professionally organised with the full support of the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Civic Authorities along the route and the Lao Cycling Federation.  The race will comply with the rules and regulations of Union Cycliste Internationale (as with the Tour de France) and will be included on the Asian Calendar of UCI. 

The race dates are planned so that the race ends just before the start of the South East Asia Games allowing teams from countries that are eligible for the Games, a last minute opportunity to improve their skills before the start of the Games.  The competing teams are being invited from many countries in Asia, who will face tough competition from top teams from Europe, America, Africa, Oceania and Australasia.

The coordination of this race is being managed by Norman Shelmerdine, Race Director of NVCSports Ltd

The race route has yet to be finalised but it will embrace parts of the scenic Laos, as well as focusing on the ancient Royal City of Luang Prabang and the present capital city - Vientiane. In this way, through television coverage of the race, the history and beauty of Laos will be shown to the world.

It is anticipated that this race will generate much media interest worldwide as it will be the largest sporting event in Laos’ recent history and it will help prepare the Nation of Laos, in hosting the South East Asian Games in 2009.

To achieve international exposure, NVCSports is working closely with Pulse8 Media (leading producers of sporting events), to give the race maximum media coverage regionally and internationally. 

International Media Coverage
Pulse8 Media aim to provide live event coverage of the Tour of Laos cycle race via ESPN Start Sports, distributed via thirteen regions in Asia and reaching 164 million households. In addition, Pulse8 Media plan to produce two documentaries which will focus around recent history and developments in Laos that will be distributed via two global channels, National Geographic and Discovery Networks International, televised up to 170 countries and produced 35 languages worldwide. These TV programmes will provide great TV advertising opportunities and post-event repeat coverage and exposure.

The Tour of Laos will attract positive comments from leading officials in the region, as Virginia Morris and Clive Hills of NVCSports are experts in Laos’ staggering history.  Their book “A History of the Ho Chi Minh Trail - The Road to Freedom” - attracted favourable comments from people such as - General Sir John Reith KCB CBE, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and also Colonel Commandant, The Parachute Regiment and Mark Urban, Diplomatic editor, BBC Newsnight.

Laos is strategically important in Asia with its’ stable emerging economy. Large corporations from its’ neighbours of China, Vietnam and Thailand as well as from Europe, America and Australasia have already invested in Laos. It is also  reflected by the large diplomatic presence, compared to other similar size countries. This event, therefore, is an excellent advertising opportunity with the worldwide media coverage we can offer.

NVCSports Ltd is seeking for £1.5m in sponsorship funding
With such high exposure on television worldwide, the Tour of Laos cycle race will be a fantastic investment and PR/Marketing opportunity.  It provides a great opening for any Western Brand to penetrate the Asian markets and utilize the sponsorship as a gateway to develop relations with key officials and VIPs in this region.

Sponsorship opportunities for the race are broad. If one company sponsors the whole race, the investing company will obtain maximum media exposure with their brand taking the title of the race.

There are many other areas which a company might want to invest such as:

 Cyclists travel and accommodation for participating teams
 Prize money
 Cycle tops and merchandising
 Banners along the race route
 Start and finish banners
 Fuel and vehicle hire
 Insurances
 General facilities
 Magazine Programs
 The web – http://www.touroflaos.co.uk/

The Tour of Laos will benefit any organisation/Brand associated with the race by:

 Heightening global awareness of Laos, by promoting the country as a peaceful and stable nation in which to invest.
 Demonstrating the capacity and the ability that Laos is able to host international events.
 Helping promote Laos as an excellent tourist destination by showing its’ beautiful countryside and unique customs through television coverage of the Tour.
 Generating an upsurge in financial benefits to the country nationally and regionally.
 Assisting and supporting Lao cyclists in their aim for participation in the Olympic Games, Asian Games and Southeast Asia Games.  The Tour of Laos provides a great opportunity for national cyclists to gain practical experience in an international event with competitor riders to the country

 For further press information about the Tour of Laos, please contact:
NVCSports - Virginia Morris virginialmorris@ukonline.co.uk, http://www.touroflaos.co.uk/
Advertising enquiries - Monique Foster – mailto:Monique.foster@ntlworld.com
Media - http://www.pulse8media.co.uk/