Close to 7,300 participants took part in OCBC Cycle at Singapore Sports Hub from 6-7 May 2023
Close to 7,300 cyclists participated in the Sportive Ride and The Straits Times City Ride of OCBC Cycle 2023. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE
Singapore, 7 May 2023 – Close to 7,300 cyclists gathered at the Singapore Sports Hub on 6 and 7 May to ride in the nation’s marquee cycling event, OCBC Cycle 2023. This marks the first full-scale OCBC Cycle event since 2019 when the pandemic disrupted large-scale sports events and the 2022 edition was limited to 2,000 cyclists joining in person.
The Straits Times 20KM City Ride was flagged off at 6.30am by Guests of Honour – Mr Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Social and Family Development; Ms Helen Wong, Group CEO, OCBC Bank; Mr Alan Goh, CEO, Sports Singapore; Mr Quek Swee Kuan, CEO, Singapore Sports Hub, and Mr Jaime Ho, Editor, The Straits Times.
Mr Mohammad Nabil Bi Jasmani, who cycled for his stroke-stricken dad, at the end of the Sportive Ride. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE
Participants of The Sportive 40KM Ride started as early as 5.30am at the Singapore Sports Hub. The Sportive 40KM Ride was shortened to 20km due to bad weather. Riders were still able to complete a scenic route on roads specifically closed for the event, taking them past stunning views of the city, before finishing inside the National Stadium. The Sportive 40KM Ride is making a return after three years, as only The Straits Times 20KM City Ride was offered as an on-site event last year.
Ms Helen Wong, Group CEO, OCBC Bank said: “Going into my second OCBC Cycle, I thought I knew what to expect. But sharing the roads with many more cyclists this year was an even more enjoyable experience. The sense of being one big cycling community was enhanced as we absorbed the sun’s rays and enjoyed the morning breeze together. Riding up, and then down, the Benjamin Sheares bridge was still very exciting."
(L-R) Mr Alan Goh, Mr Eric Chua, Ms Helen Wong, Mr Quek Swee Kuan, and Mr Jamie Ho, at the start line of The Straits Times 20KM City Ride. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE
"As always, none of this would be possible without the support and friendship of key government agencies – the Land Transport Authority and Sport Singapore – and our event partners and sponsors, and not forgetting all the participants. A big thank you to all!”
The Straits Times 20KM City Ride attracted a diverse range of participants, including families, couples and individuals. Mr Terence Lee, the founder of online cycling platform Bike Guru, was cycling with Paralympian Steve Tee on a tandem bike for The Straits Times 20KM ride.
Terence Lee rode with Paralympian Steve Tee on a tandem bike for The Straits Times 20KM City Ride. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE
Mr Lee said: “When I came across Steve Tee's social media page searching for pilots for the para-cycling team, I felt motivated to volunteer and contribute my energy and efforts to help these visually impaired athletes experience cycling on a tandem bike.”
Mr Tee said: “I have come to love the thrill of speed and sense of freedom that cycling provides, as well as the inclusivity of the sport. Thanks to my current cycling pilot Terence, I was able to participate in the OCBC Cycle event, and now I want to promote the importance of inclusivity in the cycling community.”
(L-R) Mr Alan Goh, Mr Eric Chua, Ms Helen Wong, Mr Quek Swee Kuan, and Mr Jamie Ho, flagging off The Straits Times 20KM City Ride. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE
The OCBC Cycle Speedway Championships took place yesterday (6 May) at the Singapore Sports Hub. The event saw a total of 21 teams participating in either the Club or Corporate Championships. Allied World Quantum Racing A was crowned the winner of the Club Championships and OCBC Bank for the Corporate Championships.
The semi-finals and grand final of the new ride category, OCBC Cycle Indoor Ride by Shimano was also held yesterday, with participants racing each other in an indoor cycling environment using virtual riding platform Zwift. Mr Tan Zhi-Hern Clement emerged as the final winner after completing a virtual 10KM course at Shimano Cycling World.
Terence Lee rode with Paralympian Steve Tee on a tandem bike for The Straits Times 20KM City Ride posing. PHOTO: OCBC CYCLE
Our young cyclists took part in the Mighty Savers® Family Ride yesterday which came back in person after being held virtually for the past three years. OCBC Cycle continues with the virtual rides from 6 May – 5 June, with the following categories – 100KM Virtual Ride, 500KM Virtual Ride and the Spin Ride by CRU.
More details on OCBC Cycle 2023 can be found at https://ocbccycle.com.