Schlagwort-Archive: Singapore Criterium

TOUR DE FRANCE PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE CRITERIUM

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Singapore – Sunday 30th october 2022:

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@ASO/Pauline Ballet

 Three months after his famous victory on the Champs-Elysées, Jonas Vingegaard was once again the strongest rider to win the first edition of the 57-kilometre Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. Greeted by a chequered flag, the Danish champion beat Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali in a royal breakaway that pulled away in the final two laps.
 Although Mark Cavendish couldn’t find his way into the leading group to use his speed on the Formula One race track, he did win the green jersey as he did in his last Tour participation in 2021, thanks to the intermediate sprints. Among the attackers of the day, Singapore champion Boon Kiak’s efforts saw him win the combativeness award, whilst Cofidis riders Simon Geschke, Axel Zingle, Max Walscheid and Tom Bohli won the team time trial

Key points:
 On the day before the first edition of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium, the riders have been able to enjoy a day of relaxation and sight-seeing, allowing them, for example, to take time out for a short trip through Chinatown.
 The weekend in Singapore signals the end of an era in modern cycling as two exceptional champions, Vincenzo Nibali and Alejandro Valverde, bring the curtain down on their careers at the two criteriums in Asia.
 The preparations for the race were concluded by the presentation of the teams held at the finishing line of the Criterium, at the foot of the grandstand named The Float which each year also overlooks the finish of the Singapore Formula 1 grand prix. The programme for the evening included a concert by the Synthony philharmonic orchestra, who have created a fusion between classical and electronic music.
 Tomorrow afternoon, sport will have pride of place, with first of all a time-trial then the Criterium, which will start at 4 pm, for a race over a distance of 64 kilometres.

THE FIRST PEDAL STROKES… IN CHINATOWN

Whilst awaiting to climb onto their bikes to tackle the circuit winding around Marina Bay tomorrow at the end of the afternoon, the riders were able to take time to visit Singapore and temporarily get away from the city centre. While photos of the city have widely made its sky-line famous as well as the three towers of Marina Bay Sands linked by its “sky-way” perched at a height of two hundred metres, the riders were able to discover a different face of the city by visiting the district of Albert Park, very close to Chinatown. In this neighbourhood, the buildings are much shorter and the champions were able to enjoy a quick taste of street food. For the inhabitants of Singapore, it is customary to take a snack with a “youtiao” which, according to Alejandro Valverde, resembles the “churros” found in his native Spain, but which Chris Froome gobbled down, with another reference in mind: “They are exactly like the doughnuts that we call “Mandasi” in Kenya. It takes me back to my childhood, because it’s exactly the type of thing that I would eat after a long training ride to recharge my batteries,” explained the four times winner of the Tour, before taking advantage of a small excursion in a “trishaw” among former wearers of the Yellow Jersey. This time, the usual chauffeurs of these traditional means of transport were sat in the passenger seat and left the handlebars to the experts. On completion of this small jaunt through Chinatown, Mark Cavendish showed himself worthy of his champion of Great Britain jersey by returning to the garage first, ahead of Vingegaard, Valverde, Nibali and Froome. The Manx sprinter is well and truly in form!

NIBALI AND VALVERDE COME TO THE END OF THEIR FAREWELL TOUR
One of them is closing in on his 38th birthday whilst the other reached the age of 42 last spring. Vincenzo Nibali and Alejandro Valverde have battled for a long time on the world’s roads, both building up rolls of honour that give them pride of place in the history of cycling, with the Italian among the seven riders to have won the three grand tours and the Spaniard ready to leave the professional pack with a total of 133 victories, placing him in 6th place of the overall hierarchy, just behind Bernard Hinault (145). Both men enjoyed emotional farewells on the Vuelta and Il Lombardia, but will be fastening their last race numbers to their jerseys on the Asian criteriums, in Singapore and Saitama. “I’ve been very busy since Il Lombardia,” explained the Astana rider who has already got involved in the running of the Pro-Continental team created by Douglas Ryder for the 2023 season. “I’ve not really realised that it’s the end, because I’m going to stay involved in cycling. However, I’m delighted to come and ride on these Criteriums, which are excellent showcases for our sport”. As for the Spaniard, “Bala” is also looking to the future, having just taken part in the close season training block with Movistar in Pamplona, “with the desire to pass on as much of my experience as I can to the youngest riders”. The former world champion who is in the process of retiring is nonetheless delighted to be climbing back on his bike tomorrow morning: “I’m here to enjoy these last races as much as I can. I’ve been competitive from the beginning to the end of my career – I still finished 6th on Il Lombardia. However, I’ve come here with my family to share these farewells with them as well as with my team-mates. Perhaps now I’ll allow myself to eat a bit more!”

A CHANCE FOR A SINGAPOREAN?
The aim of the Criterium is also to combine the movers and shakers on the Tour de France with the cyclists who make the headlines in the discipline in their own region, within the same pack. As such, the 16 riders from the world’s elite will have the opportunity to measure themselves against the 28 riders selected by the four teams invited to Singapore. While the national federation has chosen four riders to fly the flag for their country, the hopes of shining on a circuit favourable to sprinters will perhaps be held by Malaysian Mohd Harrif Saleh, whose speed has already caused havoc on the Tour of Langkawi (with three stages won between 2019 and 2020), as well as this season on the Tours of Thailand and Taiwan. The crowds expected along the route will especially cast a knowing eye on his Singaporean team-mate at the Terengganu Polygon Cycling Team. At the age of 32 years, Goh Choon Huat will be participating in the last race of his career, marked by seven national titles in total, and he intends to go out with a bang: “I don’t know what I’ll be able to do on this circuit, but I’m determined to seize the opportunity to take the limelight for my farewell, by taking part in a breakaway, for example”. Finally, the Thailand Continental team will most likely try their luck with their two leaders, namely two times national time-trial champion Peerapol Chawchiangkwang and Sarawut Sirironchai, a four times stage winner on the Tour of Thailand.

TOUR DE FRANCE PRUDENTIAL SINGAPORE CRITERIUM: A COLLECTION OF YELLOW JERSEYS

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Key points:
 The end of the 2022 season has witnessed the emergence on the calendar of an event set to bring together a selection of riders from among the major players on the Tour de France: the first edition of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium will take place on 30th October.
 To inaugurate the route that will take in a part of the Formula 1 circuit, the winner of the Tour de France 2022, Jonas Vingegaard, will once again be donning the Yellow Jersey he won this summer and will be accompanied by elite riders who have left their mark on the recent history of the event, such as Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, Alejandro Valverde or Mark Cavendish.

For its first visit to Singapore, the Tour de France pack will arrive in a reduced format, representing the excellence of the battles played out on French roads during the month of July, with three winners of the event and 10 riders who, thanks to the strength of their legs, have victoriously raised their arms and received the stage winner’s bouquet for a joint total of 59 times. The man with most of these victories is of course none other than Mark Cavendish, the joint record holder for stage wins with 34 successes obtained between 2008 and 2021. The British sprinter has written his name over much of the French map but has never won a Tour de France stage outside the country’s borders. His famous speed and double kick may give him the opportunity to taste victory on the urban route through Singapore, which will take in several portions of the Marina Bay circuit that hosted the Formula 1 grand prix last weekend.

Even as a two times winner of the Green Jersey (in 2011 and 2021), “Cav” will be sharing top billing at the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium with other high calibre title hunters: Chris Froome is one that particularly stands out, having dominated the general classification four times, whilst the career of Vincenzo Nibali demands respect, having also won, like his British counterpart, each of the three grand tours. Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard joined the exclusive club of Tour de France winners last summer by conquering the Yellow Jersey in the mountains and keeping it until the Champs-Elysées. Although he was lucky enough to wear the same tunic for two days of the race in 2008, it was on La Vuelta that the soon to be retired Alejandro Valverde won his only grand tour in 2009. The atmosphere that will overcome Singapore for this Criterium could awaken nostalgia for that winning feeling in the Spanish former world champion.

Riders participating (as of 06/10):

Jumbo-Visma: Jonas Vingegaard (Dnk), Sepp Kuss (Usa)

Cofidis: Simon Geschke, Max Walscheid (Deu), Tom Bohli (Che), Axel Zingle (Fra)

Israel-Premier Tech: Chris Froome (Gbr), Simon Clarke (Aus), Hugo Houle, Guillaume Boivin (Can)

Intermarché – Wanty Gobert Matériaux: Jan Hirt (Cze), Andrea Pasqualon (Ita), Barnabas Peak (Hun), Théo Delacroix (Fra)

Team BikeExchange – Jayco: Callum Scotson (Aus)

Movistar Team: Alejandro Valverde, Enric Mas, Jose Joaquin Rojas, Imanol Erviti (Esp)

Astana Qazaqstan Team: Vincenzo Nibali, Antonio Nibali, Samuele Battistella, Gianmarco Garofoli (Ita)

Legend Team: Mark Cavendish (Gbr), Jasper Philipsen (Bel).

Tour de France makes debut in Singapore with Mark Cavendish

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TOUR DE FRANCE MAKES DEBUT IN SINGAPORE WITH MARK CAVENDISH: PRUDENTIAL IS TITLE SPONSOR OF FIRST EVER TOUR DE FRANCE CRITERIUM EVENT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

Singapore will make history as the first Southeast Asian country to host a Tour de France criterium event, supported by leading life insurer Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) as the event’s title sponsor.

The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium marks the arrival of cycling’s most prestigious brand in the region. The race will take place from 29 to 30 October on a specially-designed street circuit in the heart of the city and features 32 riders from eight of the world’s best professional cycling teams including decorated British cyclist Mark Cavendish, who holds the joint record for the most Tour de France stage wins (34). Memorably, he secured four Tour de France stage wins last year. Cavendish is also widely regarded as the sport’s greatest sprinter, with four world titles (three in track cycling and one in road) and an Olympic silver medal.

Mark Cavendish said: “Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium marks a few firsts – a first Tour de France road race in Southeast Asia and a first race for me in this part of the world. Cycling has given me so much and is a great part of my life. It’s a privilege for me to do what I love and I’m looking forward to getting out there and to share the adrenaline, excitement and fun that comes with criterium racing.”

The Tour de France is the pinnacle of professional cycling – watched by over a billion viewers annually. Elite cyclists compete in a gruelling test as they cover an average of 3,500 kilometres over three weeks in their quest for sporting glory. In contrast, the Criterium is a shorter race on a closed circuit, which makes the format more suited to Singapore streets. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium race weekend will comprise races for both professionals and amateurs and is expected to reach millions of viewers through a variety of international broadcasters.

Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme said: “The Tour de France Criterium is a cycling performance, showcasing the speed and intensity of cycling through a race on an inner-city circuit. The Criterium format allows us to bring an adaptation of the Tour to more places, while still retaining the essence and spirit of the Tour De France with top riders in the heart of the city.

“With the Tour de France Criterium, cycling becomes a cultural bridge, celebrating the Tour de France atmosphere in territories the race has not yet explored. Given Singapore’s geographical location and reputation for organising great events, not to mention its enthusiastic cycling community, it was a natural choice for introducing this Criterium format to the entire Southeast Asian region.It will be a very exciting first trip to Southeast Asia for the Tour de France, and we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with the community here.”

Commenting on being part of the inaugural Singapore Criterium, Mr Dennis Tan, Prudential Singapore’s CEO, said: “As a leading life insurer, we want to support Singaporeans in leading healthier lifestyles, so we can all live well for longer. We decided to promote cycling because it is an accessible and sustainable sport. This sponsorship is a great opportunity to encourage people and families from all walks of life to bond while staying healthy and active.”

The event is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board. Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board said; “We are delighted to be the first Southeast Asian country to host the Tour De France Criterium, a premier sporting event that reinforces Singapore’s position as a leading destination for sports in the region. Cycling is an environmentally-friendly sport that is popular with locals and visitors, and events like this strongly align with Singapore’s sustainability goals, as well as our ambition to be an urban wellness haven. As we welcome more visitors to Singapore, it is also a timely addition to our exciting calendar of events.”

The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium is being promoted by TEG Sport in conjunction with Evoke EXP.

Geoff Jones, Group CEO of TEG said: “TEG Sport is proud to be working with the iconic Tour de France brand on what will be a world-class and exclusive new major event for Southeast Asia. We look forward to welcoming some of world’s best professional cyclists to take part in the dynamic criterium format raced through spectacular central Singapore. Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast, a recreational rider or major events fan we encourage you to get involved in this exciting new event. On behalf of TEG Sport I’d like to thank the Singapore Tourism Board and Prudential Singapore for their partnership to bring this innovative global event to fruition.”

Visit singaporecriterium.com for more details on how to get involved and register your interest for the latest updates about the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. Latest updates are also available on Facebook and Instagram.
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