19.
In East Africa,the sport of cycling has been growing in popularity in recent years.There are plenty of hills for cyclists to climb and a mild climate-not too hot,but not too cold.In addition,two-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome was born in Kenya.
Now an area 50 kilometers southeast of Nairobi is seeking to become Kenya's center for cycling.But with hills in Kenya rising as high as 1,600 meters above sea level,cycling the countryside is anything but effortless.That makes Machakos County,Kenya,a good place to test the abilities of East African cyclists during the Tour de Machakos.
Twenty-three-year-old Cyrus Wambua is one of the riders.Born and raised in Machakos,Wambua has been riding bicycles since he was a child.He says his mother urged him to start:"My mother got inspired by that strong guy from the Tour de France,Lance Armstrong.So I used to read documentaries(紀錄片)and when we were a small kid,they used to tell us that one day you'll race like Lance Armstrong."
Uganda's-national cycling coach.Jesper Fiedler,says this is one reason why Kenya's and East Africa's cycling community has continued to grow over the years.He said,"Mainly because of the sports events on TV."More people can watch these races on TV,and then the more people who are riding around in different towns around East Africa,the exposure's just bigger.So people,they see and they say,"Maybe we should pick up this sport."
Alex Tibwitta organized the Tour de Machakos.He says Machakos has it all-nice hills,good roads and a government that supports the cycling community."I'm pretty confident that with the right promotion,this is definitely the best place to base a sort of cycling in Kenya,and probably in East Africa,"he said.
The Tour de Machakos covers 400 kilometers around Machakos County.It is the biggest road race in Kenya.This year there were 130 registered cyclists-double the number from last year.
28.What goal is Machakos County of Kenya pursuing?B
A.To hold the Tour de Machakos for the second time.
B.To become the most important place for cycling.
C.To draw more cyclists to come to practise cycling.
D.To make itself a world-famous centre of tourism.
29.Who was encouraged by his mother to take part in cycling?D
A.Lance Armstrong.
B.Jesper Fiedler.
C.Alex Tibwitta.
D.Cyrus Wambua.
30.What is Alex Tibwitta's attitude towards Machakos?A
A.He sings high praise for it.
B.He is not satisfied with it.
C.He wants more help from it.
D.He praises not its roads but its hills.
31.What do you know about the Tour de Machakos?C
A.It covers the longest distance in cycling races.
B.It is the biggest road race in the world.
C.The number of cyclists doubled in it.
D.Fewer athletes will take part in it.