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SINGAPORE: It was pedal power at the F1 pit building on Sunday as thousands took to the road on two wheels.
There were various categories to suit the different groups of cyclists - from the tougher 50km and 40km races to a 20km community ride.
Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who flagged off the inaugural OCBC Cycle Singapore, also took part in the race.
He said: "This is just the beginning. Today we had 5,000. In the years to come, I would like to see multiples of that. I think cycling is really going to take off in Singapore."
According to the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association, it has been a decade since Singapore last hosted a cycling event of this nature.
By all accounts, Sunday's event has proven to be successful. It attracted not only professionals but also all types of cyclists, old and young.
They included one who is 72 years old and another who is just six years old.
Six-year-old Joshua Barkman from New Zealand took part in the Kids Ride, with parents in tow.
"It is fun and because I like cycling and because it's hot and I like it!" said Joshua.
The highlight was the professionals competing in the Elite Criterium.
The rain could not stop the 65 contenders, some of whom are Olympic medallists and major Tour riders.
They spent some 90 minutes speed cycling around the two-kilometre circuit.
Coming in first was Australian David Pell, who claimed it was the biggest win of his career.
In second place was Italian Alan Marangoni, with Dutchman Ricardo Van der Valde coming in third.
Organisers hope to grow Cycle Singapore on a long-term basis.
That, however, would depend on the current sponsor OCBC continuing its one-year deal.
OCBC Bank CEO, David Conner, said: "We have dollars. The question is where does it get allocated. So, we may have to cut something else if we want to continue with this or whatever. We will see how it goes in the future."
OCBC hopes to make a decision by the third quarter of this year.
Should the bank decide not to continue sponsoring the event, organisers would be forced to look for alternative sponsors.
Their possible plans for next year include a 150-kilometre round-the-island race.
- CNA/ir
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