GENEVA, Aug 31, 2011 (AFP) – The world’s cycling governing body has granted a World Tour license to the Belgian E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke race, until now part of the UCI Europe Tour calendar, it said Wednesday.

“The granting of this license recognizes the importance of this race in a region that has a strong cycling tradition,” Pat McQuaid, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI) said in a statement.

“The Flanders region has a remarkable heritage and remains a landmark for cyclists around the world,” he said.

According to the circuit’s website, the 200 km long E3 Prijs Vlaanderen-Harelbeke race starts and ends in the Flemish town of Harelbeke, in the west of Belgium, and has been held since 1958.

The World Tour license is valid for four years, between 2012 and 2015, UCI added.