KUCHING: The 10th edition of the Siol International Mountain Bike Challenge (SIMBC) has officially secured the prestigious Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Category 1 (C1) status, placing Sarawak firmly on the global map as a premier destination for competitive mountain biking and sports tourism.
Announcing the achievement, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, hailed the milestone as a proud moment for Sarawak.
“This year marks another proud milestone for all of us because the Siol International Mountain Bike Challenge 2025, organised by the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), has been awarded the C1 status by UCI.
“This prestigious classification speaks volumes about the quality, competitiveness and professionalism of this event,” he said.
He noted that achieving C1 status was no easy feat.
“The UCI will only consider upgrading an event after years of monitoring its success and the feedback from athletes, and now, we’ve done it,” he added.
With the C1 upgrade, SIMBC is expected to attract top-tier international cyclists.
“Regarding mountain biking, C1 means it is the highest, just like how football has the World Cup.
“Cyclists from around the world, especially those in the C1 elite category, will now be looking at SIMBC and want to compete,” Abdul Karim explained.
Furthermore, he announced an increase in prize money to further enhance the event’s appeal.
“We’ll raise the prize pool to RM100,000, with the ministry stepping in to cover the difference.
“A larger prize fund will undoubtedly draw more top-tier international competitors to the event,” he said.
A new Downhill Under-16 category will also debut, to groom young talents for Sukma (Malaysia Games) 2026 and the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games 2027.
“We have excellent downhill terrain, and I hope Persatuan Basikal Sarawak can nurture more young riders. We want to start them young and build future champions,” Abdul Karim said.
Additionally, he urged ongoing collaboration to preserve the event’s newly earned C1 status and uphold Sarawak’s sporting prestige.
“As we celebrate this achievement, we must also work hard to maintain the C1 status in the years to come,” he concluded.
