Four big stories you might have missed about Singapore's cycling athletes in recent months as they make waves internationally
Image via Chelsie Tan's Instagram
What a year 2021 has proven to be for Singapore's cycling team, as our cycling athletes continue to make the headlines internationally in recent months.
For those who might not have been following the news as closely as you would have liked, fret not because here we recap four (4) of the big stories and key milestones that have put Singapore cycling on the world map!
Image via GreenEdge Cycling
First Singapore Woman to earn professional contract in Europe
Singapore Road Cyclist Chelsie Tan has become the first Singapore woman to earn a professional contract with a team in Europe.
The 31 year-old will be racing for Australian professional outfit Team BikeExchange in the International Cycling Union (UCI) Women's World Tour next year, which will feature 22 races including the women's Tour de France.
Tan, who made her bow for the national team in 2018, has signed on a one-year contract and is the second Singaporean to ride professionally in Europe.
Image via Singapore Cycling Federation
First Singaporean to Finish on the Podium at a UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
Singaporean Mountain biker Riyadh Hakim became the first Singaporean to finish on the podium at a UCI Mountain Bike World Cup on 3 October, when he finished fifth in the Barcelona leg of the UCI Mountain Bike Eliminator World Cup.
The 22 year-old followed up his sterling performance with a second podium finish within the space of a month when he took fourth at the Opet Mugla Cup Eliminator (XCE) Race final in Marmaris, Turkey on 31 October.
A podium spot is awarded to the top five finishers.
Image via Singapore Cycling Federation
First Singaporean to race for a professional team in Europe
National cyclist Goh Choon Huat became the first Singaporean cyclist to ride professionally in Europe when he joined Team BikeExchange as a stagiaire in July this year.
A stagiaire is an amateur cyclist riding temporarily for a professional team. Apart from riding and training with the team, Goh also received the opportunities to race in the Vuelta a Burgos in Spain, the Tour of Slovakia and the Tour of Croatia, where he played a role in aiding in the team's overall strategy, and acted as a pace setter for his teammates.
Image via Sport Singapore
First Singaporeans to Compete at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Last month, national track cyclists Luo Yiwei (women's individual pursuit), Calvin Sim (men's omnium) and Elyas Yusoff (men's 1km time trial and sprint) were the first Singaporeans to compete at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in France, which took place from Oct 20-24.
Image via Sport Singapore