Record crowd of more than 20,000 spectators crowd downtown Singapore to see world’s top cyclists take on the Suntec City Singapore street circuit
Singapore, 29 October 2023 – Belgian Jasper Philipsen held off the challenges of Tour de France legend Mark Cavendish and World No.1 cyclist Tadej Pogacar to win the 2023 Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. In front of a packed Suntec City Singapore street circuit crowd, the 25-year-old Philipsen - the winner of the Green Jersey at this year’s Tour de France - crossed the finishing line in a time of 1hr 20min 33secs, ahead of Cavendish and Pogacar.
Consisting of 27 of the world’s best riders and top cyclists from Singapore, Malaysia Thailand and South Korea, the 43-member peloton had to navigate 20 laps of the
Suntec City 3km course.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome and Singapore's own Yeo Boon Kiak were among the early pacesetters. But two-time Tour de France champion Pogacar, the White Jersey winner of the 2023 Tour, soon put himself in pole position after three rounds. He would hold on to the lead till the final straight where Philipsen emerged tops in the sprint to the finish.
Said Philipsen: “I thought (Pogacar) was pretty strong. He was in the front but we tried and managed to get him. Peter helped, and Gavin in the end and I had some
good teammates. It was was hard to catch him but we got him in the end.
For Pogacar, there was some consolation as his UAE Team Emirates won the team time trial.
Event broadcast to 190 territories around the world
The event, which debuted in 2022, also hit new highs this year. It was broadcast to 190 territories around the world, including Europe, North and South America and
Asia. Top international sport publications like L’Equipe and Flobikes were also in Singapore to cover the race.
The event broke new ground on social media with highlights of the event garnering close to 2 million views, as the world’s top cyclists took part part in a fun Singapore Challenge - involving the Pogacar and Cavendish leading two teams in a trishaw and Singlish competition - and meet-and-greet sessions.
But the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium was not just all about the stars.
The weekend also saw a Kids Ride, a CEO Breakfast Ride, a DHL Charity Ride and the PRURide Seeker’s Criteriums for Men’s Novice, Women’s Open and Men’s Open organised by title sponsor and official wellness partner Prudential Singapore.
There were also pre-event and post-event concerts held at the Suntec City Fountain of Wealth headlined by DPR IAN and DJ KSHMR respectively.
Said Prudential Singapore’s CEO Dennis Tan: “We are pleased to see so much energy and excitement this weekend, from the Professional Criterium, PRURide Seeker’s Criterium, the kids’ ride, to the concerts, it was an event for everyone.
“It was fantastic to have so many people join us at the event with their families and friends, as they enjoyed the spectacle of some of the best Tour de France riders in
action and the music at the concerts. We hope more people will be inspired to take up cycling to stay active and healthy.”
Added Ms Agnes Goh, managing director of event organiser, EVOKE EXP: “We are humbled to have so many strong brands recognising the value of the Tour.