Pro-cycling a Big Hit in Singapore
23 February, 2009, Singapore - World class pro-bike racing was a big hit in Singapore on Sunday, (22 February) as more than 5,400 people took to the road during OCBC Cycle Singapore, an event comprised of rides and races for all ages and abilities. A good spread of pro-tour, pro-continental and continental team riders made up the field in the pro criterium alongside top Asians and others from Australia, Britain, Ireland and the USA.
The 75km race was won by Australian, David Pell, riding for the Australian Savings & Loans Cycling Team, managed by Patrick Jonker; Pell won US$12,500, part of a US$70,000 prize list for the race. Second was Alan Marangoni, CSF Group Navigare and Garmin-Slipstream's Ricardo Van der Velde was third by a bike length. Marangoni had a good day as he also won the King of the Sprints competition from Jason Allen of New Zealand and Olympic medalist Alex Rasmussen, Team Saxo Bank. Best Asian Rider was sprinter Anuar Manan.
"It was a very good circuit in Singapore and a great race," said 28 year old Pell. The 2km circuit, which looped around the F1 Pit Building, developed for Singapore's F1 race, was fast and furious and action was interspersed with five special sprints valued at $5,000.
Early action was provided by David McCann of Ireland, who then punctured. Given a spare, he attacked once more, and sadly punctured a second time - the only two punctures of the race.
Singapore Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Vivian Balakrishnan joined in the 20km Community Challenge and said afterwards, "This is just the beginning, today we got 5,000 people on their bikes and I expect to see multiples of that. I think Cycling is really going to take off in Singapore."
The race was organised by Spectrum Worldwide with technical direction from The Events Group, London.
Results from the Pro Criterium:
1) David Pell Savings & Loans Cycling Team
2) Alan Marangoni CSF Group Navigare
3) Ricardo Van Der Velde Garmin-Slipstream
4) Jason Allen New Zealand
5) Andre Grendene Lampre - N.G.C
King of the Sprints:
1) Alan Marangoni CSF Group Navigare 13 points
2) Jason Allen New Zealand 11 points
3) Alex Rasmussen Team Saxo Bank 10 points
Men's Open Criterium Results:
1) Saiful Anuar Aziz
2) Mohd Sharul Bin Mat
3) Nor Umardi Rusdi
4) Colin Pearson
5) Graham Cockerton
Masters' Criterium Results:
1) Kevin Byrns
2) Graham Cockerton
3) Tony Harvey
4) Chee Kian Yeo
5) Stefano Orlati
For more information, contact: Lorna Campbell
DID: +65-6324-284
Mobile: +65-9116-4084
Email: lcampbell@fulfordpr.com
For photographs, please contact: Evis Chu
Telephone: +886-938-279010
Email: evis114@yahoo.com.tw