The Tour d''Israel will offer participants unrivaled views of the diverse landscape of Israel. Riders will begin atop the snow-capped Mount Hermon in the north and travel through the Galilee, Nazareth, around the contours of the Mediterranean, Jerusalem, Masada, the Dead Sea, Be''er Sheva, Negev Desert, and finish the race on the shores of the Red Sea in Eilat.

The Tour d''Israel is designed to feature two riders per team, separated into nine different categories based on age and gender. Daily laps will include between 77 and 112 miles of riding.

"This is the first time a cycling competition of this scale will take place in Israel," says Arie Sommer, Tourism Commissioner, North and South America. "The Tour route will provide participants with a one-of-a-kind experience to cycle through Israel''s vast and diverse landscape."

Israeli national cycling champion Avihay Grinberg will participate in the inaugural Tour d''Israel ceremony on March 17th.

For more information, visit www.tourtheisrael.com.