KUCHING: A total of 175 cyclists, including international participants, are set to enliven the 9th edition of the Samarahan Bike Challenge (SBC) 2025, scheduled to take place on June 22 at The Summer Shopping Mall, Kota Samarahan.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the race organised by the Samarahan District Office in collaboration with the Sarawak Cycling Association has received strong support from his ministry as part of efforts to boost sports tourism and develop cycling sports in Sarawak.
“This is another event we’re supporting to develop cycling sports and position Sarawak as a sporting powerhouse in the region.
“The Samarahan Bike Challenge is now in its ninth year and remains one of the most anticipated races by both local and international riders,” he said at a press conference on Samarahan Bike Challenge at Baitulmakmur Building II today.
Abdul Karim, who is also the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, explained that the criterium-discipline race will require riders to complete between three to six laps depending on their respective categories.
“This year’s race will feature seven categories: Men’s Open, Sarawak Closed, Veteran (new category), Women’s Open, Junior, Boys’ Youth, and Girls’ Youth (also a new category).
“The two new categories – Veteran (40 years and above) and Youth Women (15 years and below) – were introduced to create a more inclusive platform for older riders and young female cyclists, whose participation has increased since the previous edition,” he added.
He also shared that the Men’s Open category has 99 riders, followed by Sarawak Closed (120), Veteran (102), Junior (45), Boys’ Youth (30), Girls’ Youth (15) and Women’s Open (20).
“Although the total entries per category exceed 175, some riders are competing in more than one category.
“In terms of nationality, this year’s event will also feature riders from Brunei (7), Indonesia (6), Canada (1), Germany (1), the British Virgin Islands (2), and New Zealand (2), with the majority from Malaysia (156),” he added
He then said that the race will also feature notable cyclists, including former national rider, Anuar Manan, as well as top teams such as Kembar Melaka, Jupha Perlis, Elmi KL and Team PDRM-G.
A total of RM23,900 in prize money will be awarded, with category winners taking home between RM500 and RM1,500 each, depending on the category.
Abdul Karim also emphasised that the event will bring a positive economic impact to the local community.
The Samarahan Bike Challenge 2025 will take place on Sunday, June 22, starting at 7:00 am.
