$220 registration fee for amateur races at Tour de France Singapore event draws mixed reaction

[Ender]

@inlinesix, start training liao bo?

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/cycling-220-registration-fee-for-amateur-races-at-tour-de-france-singapore-event-draws-mixed-reaction

Cycling: $220 registration fee for amateur races at Tour de France Singapore event draws mixed reaction

SINGAPORE - The registration fees for the amateur races in the inaugural Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium on Oct 29-30 drew mixed reactions from the local cycling community after they were announced on Thursday.

Some thought the $220 price tag for the men's seniors and masters categories in the Amateur Criterium on Oct 30 was too steep while others felt the price, which includes a two-day event pass worth $118 and an event jersey valued at $180, was reasonable.

Registration for both categories and other community rides is open.

Riders in the seniors category (aged 19 to 34) take part in a 24.8km race, while those in the masters category (aged 35 and above) will participate in an 18.6km race.

A local cycling enthusiast, who did not wish to be named, was initially thrilled about the event but is now turned off by the price and will not be attending.

The 43-year-old, who has been cycling for 30 years, called the price absurd, noting that local races typically cost between $60 and $100.

His last race was the SportsHub Sports Series: Cycle For Hope 2022 in August that cost $80.

He said: "To pay $220 for this event, and at a time when the whole world is going through inflation and financial uncertainties, is a little hard for me to digest. It's too high for a one-day race which is less than 50km.

"I was very excited when I heard the race was coming to Singapore with the Tour de France riders. But when I heard of the entry fee, I'm no longer excited but disappointed."

In contrast, avid cyclist Lukman Nurhakim Noordin has already signed up for the masters race and is eager to try the route for the first time.

While he thinks the price is reasonable after taking into account the two-day pass, he understands that others, especially younger cyclists who are not financially independent, might be unable to afford it.

The 42-year-old teacher said: "There might be racers who are only interested in racing and not watching the event, who will feel that it's still on the steep side.

"For passionate racers like me, this opportunity to race is hard to pass up and we are willing to pay the premium for it.

"Racing opportunities in Singapore are hard to come by. When there is a race, riders will sign up for it just because of their passion for road racing. The fact that it will be held in the city centre is a chance not to be missed."

He is also looking forward to using his pass to catch world-class cyclists, like 2022 Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard, up close.

He added: "We watch them on TV, but being able to see them zoom past you at high speed is another kind of thrill."

The races, along with other community rides, will take place along a 3.1km route in the city that passes landmarks like the Merlion and Esplanade before ending at The Float @ Marina Bay.

This is the first Tour de France criterium to be held in South-east Asia after similar events in China and Japan.

The Singapore edition will feature 32 riders from eight professional cycling teams, including British Olympic silver medallist Mark Cavendish, who holds the joint record of 34 for most Tour de France stage wins.

Avid cyclists can also be part of the event by joining other community rides such as the Pruride Seeker's Society which includes a cycling clinic and the Absolute Cycle Race, where participants will attempt to clock the furthest distance in 10 minutes on a stationary bike.

For more information, visit this website.

[inlinesix]

Mai la! Crit sibei siong.
Zone 4 or 5 all the way.

In June, there was https://www.letapemalaysia.com

[Mustank]

Can buy mirrion dollars bicycle what’s $200

cheap lah

Edited September 23, 2022 by Mustank

[Jman888]

bicycle less than $200 can participate?

 

[t0y0ta]

Events need a lot of cost to rent location, buy insurance, hire sub-cons for the works and hire all the people doing the misc.

Want to ride bike FOC just go ECP and ride to their heart content.

Quite a joke, some of these ppl

[Lala81]

people use leg run marathon and don't really get to watch any races, also need to pay quite a bit for SCM. 

 

[Jman888]

9 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

people use leg run marathon and don't really get to watch any races, also need to pay quite a bit for SCM. 

 

true, bicycle crash more exciting than human 

[inlinesix]

$220 Registration Fee

Distance: 18.6km

Must hold UCI license

😂

[inlinesix]

3 minutes ago, Jman888 said:

true, bicycle crash more exciting than human 

 

[Atonchia]

49 minutes ago, Jman888 said:

true, bicycle crash more exciting than human 

Marathon rarely see runners fall.

Probably collapse before end then crawl to finish.

Can really feel their mental state to finish the marathon 

 

[inlinesix]

1 minute ago, Atonchia said:

Marathon rarely see runners fall.

Probably collapse before end then crawl to finish.

Can really feel their mental state to finish the marathon 

After finishing these 8 loops, don't know can walk to the car or not?

[Atonchia]

57 minutes ago, inlinesix said:

$220 Registration Fee

Distance: 18.6km

Must hold UCI license

😂

Then probably very small percentage can sign up.

I feel it's necessary to hold licence.

Crit usually tight and fast 

It's like F1 circuit races cannot anyhow overtake. 

[inlinesix]

1 minute ago, Atonchia said:

Then probably very small percentage can sign up.

I feel it's necessary to hold licence.

Crit usually tight and fast 

It's like F1 circuit races cannot anyhow overtake. 

Maybe the whiner don't have UCI license.  That's why complain lo

[Atonchia]

4 minutes ago, inlinesix said:

Maybe the whiner don't have UCI license.  That's why complain lo

Need licence, even willing to pay also cannot join if don't have one.

The total fees include watching the actual race right? 

[Ender]

1 hour ago, inlinesix said:

$220 Registration Fee

Distance: 18.6km

Must hold UCI license

😂

$220 for 18km, then is very expensive.

[inlinesix]

11 minutes ago, Atonchia said:

Need licence, even willing to pay also cannot join if don't have one.

The total fees include watching the actual race right? 

Not sure le.

 

[BanCoe]

1 hour ago, inlinesix said:

$220 Registration Fee

Distance: 18.6km

Must hold UCI license

😂

What’s UCI??

[inlinesix]

20 minutes ago, BanCoe said:

What’s UCI??

Governing body for international cycling race.