KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Samarahan Bike Challenge has continued to grow as a sports tourism attraction, drawing international riders to its 10th edition.
Kota Samarahan MP Datuk Rubiah Wang said the annual race has evolved from a grassroots initiative to discover local cycling talent into a signature event that attracts participants from within and outside the country.
She said the event has become an important platform for promoting Kota Samarahan while contributing to Sarawak’s sports tourism calendar.
“It was initially organised to discover cycling talent from Samarahan, but over the years we have seen its potential grow beyond competition.
“It has become a signature event for Kota Samarahan and one of the attractions that helps bring visitors to the district,” she said during the event’s closing ceremony here today (June 28).
This year’s edition attracted 156 riders across the men’s, women’s, junior, youth and Sarawak Closed categories.
Among them were 20 international participants, comprising 18 riders from Indonesia and one each from Canada and New Zealand.
Rubiah said the organisers also received interest from cycling clubs across Malaysia, although several teams were unable to take part because of scheduling conflicts and transportation constraints.
She said the event’s inclusion in Sarawak’s tourism calendar, together with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), reflected its growing importance beyond competitive cycling.
She added that cycling has evolved from being a common mode of transportation in Samarahan into a lifestyle activity embraced by people of all ages.
“Back then, riding a bicycle was considered a form of transportation, now it has become a lifestyle, a sport that can contribute to our health and recreation”, she added.
