OCBC Cycle will make a return to Singapore Sports Hub after a two-year hiatus, with both competitive and non-competitive rides available while keeping its virtual component
OCBC Cycle 2019 participants posing at Benjamin Sheares Bridge. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE SINGAPORE
Singapore, 14 March 2022 – OCBC Cycle will once again feature in-person rides on closed roads, after it adopted a virtual format for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The two in-person rides – the OCBC Cycle Speedway Championships and a new 20km City Ride – will take place on 7 and 8 May 2022 at the Singapore Sports Hub.
The virtual rides will take place from 7 May to 6 June 2022. There is a new category, the Team Challenge Virtual Ride, where teams of four comprising family members, friends or colleagues can compete for the honour of riding the longest distance.
Each team member can ride up to four times and the teams’ combined distances are used to determine the winner. The top three teams will be awarded shopping vouchers worth $800, $600 and $400 respectively.
OCBC Cycle will welcome the return of physical racing after a 2 year hiatus. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE SINGAPORE
The popular 100km and 200km virtual rides, meanwhile, are back again. The Straits Times Virtual Ride has been lengthened from 23km to 60km based on feedback. The Mighty Savers® Kids Virtual Ride remains at 5km.
A new indoor rhythmic cycling category – Spin Ride by CRU – has also been rolled out in partnership with homegrown fitness group CRU to cater to the growing spin community. Participants of this category will get to attend three 50-minute-long spin classes at CRU studios from 7 May to 6 June.
OCBC Cycle 2019 participants crossing the finish line. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE SINGAPORE
Bringing Back In-Person Cycling on Closed Roads Safely
Safe management measures will be put in place to safeguard the health and safety of all participants of the Speedway Championships and the 20km City Ride on 7 and 8 May.
Only participants are allowed into the event venue over the two days. They must either be fully vaccinated, certified to be medically ineligible for vaccination or have recovered from Covid-19 within the last 180 days from the day of the ride. There will be limited slots in both rides.
OCBC Cycle 2019 participants cycling inside the National Stadium of the Singapore Sports Hub. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE SINGAPORE
For the Speedway Championships, only 28 teams, 4 fewer than the last edition in 2019, are expected to compete across the three categories – Club, Corporate and Women.
The 20km City Ride, which ends inside the National Stadium, will be capped at 2,000 participants. They are spilt equally into two groups that will be flagged off in waves of 100, with five cyclists moving off every five seconds.
An OCBC Cycle participant waves to the camera while cycling inside MCE in the 2019 edition of the event. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE SINGAPORE
Online registration for OCBC Cycle 2022 commences on 14 March, 9am and will end on 25 April, or when all slots are taken up. Participants who sign up for the event between 14 March and 10 April will stand a chance to win a Birdy R20 foldable bicycle worth $4,549.
All participants will receive a complimentary 30-day access (usual subscription fee: $49) to CRU’s suite of workout videos via its CRU TV app.
The videos feature various workouts including cycling, boxing, HIIT, yoga and meditation.
Up to 2,000 OCBC Cycle participants will be allowed to take part in this year's physical edition of the event on closed roads. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE SINGAPORE