TGIFridays: Tour de France Singapore Criterium: a special report for the cycling fans

Over the last weekend, the professional cycling “gods” dropped into Singapore for a weekend of fun and games and “racing” at the Tour de France Singapore Criterium. From the likes of Vuelta Espana champion Sepp Kuss to veterans like Mark Cavendish, Peter Sagan and Chris Froome were present for a party!

The Singapore Criterium is the second in the series, with the two day program with events catering to all cyclists. From amateurs to vintage bikers to juniors. The event culminates with the criterium race featuring eight World Tour teams racing agains the local teams. While touted as a race, this was more of an exhibition ride to the World Tour riders who were out for a weekend of fun, ending their professional season ahead of the northern winter season.

We attended the event as VIP Media, courtesy of our friends over at A+ and managed to catch the “race” live with the Podium Ceremony. Here is the Cycling News report of the race. And our photographs.

We also managed to attend some of the Meet and Greet sessions by the professional cyclists. The first was hosted by Bike n Bites who had Team Jumbo Visma with the event attended by Sepp Kuss, Jan Tratnik and Attila Valter. The Team had won all three of the Grand Tours this year with Primos Roglic winning the Giro Italia, Jonas Vingegaard winning the Tour de France and Sepp Kuss winning the Vuelta Espana.

We also managed to catch up with legend Mark Cavendish at the Spin Axis Willier Meet and Greet session. The legend was in full form. And meeting Mark for the first time, we were impressed that he was such a humble man for what he has achieved. His title of 34 stage wins at the Tour de France, equalling Eddy Mercyx might see him topple the GOAT, as he revealed that he has signed on for at least one more year with Team Astana Qazaqstan and may have a change to ride in the Tour de France in 2024.

It was certainly a great weekend for cycling fans. And we look forward to a great cycling season next year, starting with the Tour Down Under, slated for Jan 16, 2024.