YAOUNDE, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The 18th edition of the International Cycling Tour of Cameroon dubbed Grand Prix Chantal Biya started in the commercial capital, Douala on Wednesday.

The competition will run from September 26 to 30. The race took off from Douala with 10 teams from Europe and Africa taking part in the competition.

The tour is organized by Cameroon Cycling Federation under the supervision of International Cycling Union. According to the organizers, the race will include five laps. The first lap will cover a distance of 92km in the city of Douala. The last and longest lap will cover a distance of 170km from Sangmelima, a town in the South region to the capital, to Yaounde.

This year's edition of the cycling race will witness the participation of women for the first time in 18 years.

Grand Prix Chantal Biya is a professional road bicycle race held in Cameroon every year. The race is named in honor of Chantal Biya, the First Lady of Cameroon, wife of President Paul Biya.