First Tour de France criterium race in Southeast Asia to take place at Marina Bay in October

A Tour de France criterium race will be held in Singapore and Southeast Asia for the first time in October. 

Called the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium, the race will take place on Oct 29 and 30 on a specially designed street circuit in the heart of the city, at the Float @ Marina Bay. 

Tour de France is an annual men’s race held in France primarily, with 21 stages over 23 days over 3,500km.

Its criteriums are shorter races in a closed circuit held in other countries, consisting of a pre-determined number of laps for 30 to 90 minutes. Each lap ranges from about 800m to 10km. 

The Singapore criterium race weekend will comprise of races for professionals and amateurs.  

The professional race will see 32 riders from eight of the world’s top cycling teams participating, headlined by British cyclist Mark Cavendish, who has won a record 34 Tour de France races. 

This will be the first time the 37-year-old will cycle in the region. 

“It’s a privilege for me to do what I love and I’m looking forward to getting out there and to share the adrenaline, excitement and fun that comes with criterium racing,” he said. 

Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme said that the Criterium race allows cycling to become a cultural bridge and celebrate the Tour de France atmosphere in territories the race has not yet explored. 

“Given Singapore’s geographical location and reputation for organising great events, not to mention its enthusiastic cycling community, it was a natural choice for introducing this Criterium format to the entire Southeast Asian region. It will be a very exciting first trip to Southeast Asia for the Tour de France, and we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with the community here.”

Those interested in being part of the criterium race can do so by registering their interest on the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium website.  

More information will be released in due time, said the organisers.