OCBC Cycle a hit with riders

SINGAPORE — Some 6,800 cyclists took to the streets for Singapore’s biggest cycling festival — the OCBC Cycle 2015 — yesterday, with the inaugural event drawing mostly positive feedback from participants.

Two community rides, the Sportive Ride (42km) and the 23km ride, flagged off at the Singapore Sports Hub yesterday morning, with the cyclists soaking in some of the Republic’s iconic sights and landmarks such as the Gardens by the Bay, Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands. Some 4,600 people taking part in the Sportive Ride were also able to test the new route that took cyclists to the west side of the island via the Keppel viaduct.

While the morning’s events saw a slight delay due to safety concerns, it was back to business for race organisers as the OCBC Cycle got underway at the S$1.33 billion Sports Hub yesterday.

Participants were generally happy with the new route and organisation of the race, as cyclist Vincent Goh said on the event’s official Facebook page: “Well done to the organisers and all marshalls and volunteers. This year’s organisation and communication was excellent and the route was surprising.”

Added 40-year-old Adrian Gan, who was part of the 2,200-strong group taking part in the 23km ride: “The event was well organised, the scenery was good and I enjoyed the route. Overall, it was a great experience for me.”

This year’s OCBC Cycle saw over 7,000 people participating in the two-day event, with Saturday’s cycling action kicking off with the Family Rides for families and children.

The two competitive races — the OCBC Cycle Speedway SEA Championship and OCBC Cycle Speedway Club Championship — saw Team Malaysia emerging victorious in the regional race, while Joyriders Racing Team 1 claimed the winner’s trophy in the club category.

Title sponsor OCBC Bank was delighted with the response to the event, as Koh Ching Ching, head of group communications at OCBC Bank said: “I have been very encouraged by the good feedback.

“A lot of people enjoyed the route, and ending the rides at National Stadium was a key highlight for the participants. All these little things contributed to the team being able to create a very wonderful experience for the cyclists.”