KUCHING: Kuching is hosting its inaugural international cycling event, the Siol International Mountain Bike Challenge (SIMBC).
The event is set to take place on Aug 26 and 27 at the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Arena, located on Bukit Siol in Petra Jaya near here.
DBKU mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan said that the SIMBC has achieved the distinction of being Kuching’s first international cycling event, having received sanctioning from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in 2016.
“This event will also stand out as one of just two international mountain bike events in Malaysia. With the endorsement from UCI, we hope to position this event as the premier mountain bike (MTB) sport event in Malaysia.
“It also serves as a platform for nurturing emerging talents in Malaysia, particularly within the Kuching cycling community focused on mountain biking, elevating these talents on the international stage,” he said at the SIMBC hi-tea and team presentation ceremony on Friday (Aug 25).
He further noted that the event’s objective is to attract both local and international participation, thus promoting Kuching and Sarawak as a sports tourism destination.
The 20th edition of the SIMBC has drawn around 200 participants from Taipei, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, India, and Malaysia.
The event will feature two main categories – the Downhill Event and the Cross Country Event.
In addition to Sarawak Cycling Association president Datuk Benjamin Hasbie and UCI President Commisaire Panel, Geoffrey Kronenburg; the ceremony was attended by Leaves Food Industries Sdn Bhd CEO Chai Ming Lun, and SIMBC race director Hakeem Hossen.
