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https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/cycling-tour-de-france-to-stage-criterium-race-in-singapore-on-oct-29-30 Cycling: Tour de France to stage criterium race in Singapore on Oct 29-30. A photo from Nov 16, 2019, shows riders competing during the Tour de France Shanghai Criterium cycling race. PHOTO: AFP PUBLISHED 28 JUN 2022, 0:06 PM SGT SINGAPORE - The Tour de France brand is whizzing to South-east Asia, and Singapore will be the first Asean country to host one of its post-tour criterium events. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium will take place on Oct 29 and 30 on a specially-designed street circuit in the heart of the city. Decorated British cyclist Mark Cavendish, an Olympic silver medallist and four-time world champion who holds the joint record for the most Tour de France stage wins (34), headlines 32 riders from eight of the world's best professional cycling teams that will feature here. It will be the first time the 37-year-old will cycle in the region, and the sprint great said: "Cycling has given me so much and is a great part of my life. 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." The Tour de France is an annual men's race primarily held in France over 21 stages and 23 days, usually in July, and covers around 3,500km. In comparison, its criteriums are shorter events that are also held in other countries. In these events, riders do a pre-determined number of laps or race for 30 to 90 minutes around a closed circuit. The length of each lap ranges from 800m to 10km. Riders from each team will work together to set up their teammates for the win, and the race is won either through classification at the finish of the final lap or classification based on the number of laps covered and number of points obtained during the intermediate sprints. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium race weekend will comprise races for both professionals and amateurs and is expected to reach millions of viewers through a variety of international broadcasters. Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said its criterium events allow cycling to be brought to uncharted territories, and Singapore was a "natural choice" because of its location, organisational capability and enthusiastic cycling community. He added: "The Tour de France Criterium is a cycling performance, showcasing the speed and intensity of cycling through a race on an inner-city circuit. "The criterium format allows us to bring an adaptation of the Tour to more places, while still retaining the essence and spirit of the Tour de France with top riders in the heart of the city." British cyclist Mark Cavendish (centre) crossing the finishing line and winning the 13th stage of the Tour de France in 2021. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Prudential Singapore chief executive officer Dennis Tan said it came on board as the title sponsor because cycling is an accessible and sustainable sport. He added: "As a leading life insurer, we want to support Singaporeans in leading healthier lifestyles, so we can all live well for longer. This sponsorship is a great opportunity to encourage people and families from all walks of life to bond while staying healthy and active." The event is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and promoted by TEG Sport in conjunction with Evoke EXP. TEG group chief executive officer Geoff Jones welcomed cycling enthusiasts on board while Singapore Tourism Board chief executive officer Keith Tan felt the "premier sporting event reinforces Singapore's position as a leading destination for sports in the region". He said: "Cycling is an environmentally-friendly sport that is popular with locals and visitors, and events like this strongly align with Singapore's sustainability goals, as well as our ambition to be an urban wellness haven." More details of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium can be found on its website and its Facebook (@tdf.singapore) and Instagram (@tdf.sg) pages.

@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.

The pileup happened on last Saturday, the opening day of the Tour de France. This year's tour runs from Brest, in northern France, to Paris, a 3,414 Km race over 21 days. Day 1 had the athletes cycling from Brest to Landerneau, a 198 Km course. Midway through the race, however, disaster struck. An enthusiastic spectator, keen to show off her sign to a nearby camera, rushed near the track and extended the sign out. Her back was to the cyclists, and as such didn't notice their rapid approach. Her cardboard sign knocked Germany cyclist Tony Martin off balance slightly. Because of how tightly all the bikers were packed into the narrow track, that was enough to send him falling. An insane pileup ensued. The spectator's sign read: "Go, grandpa and grandma!" Cyclist Tony Martin crashed through the spectator's cardboard sign held in his path, causing him to lose balance. He fell on his bike, causing a catastrophic pile-up amid the world's biggest cycling race. Several athletes were injured, and one had to leave the tour altogether. Tour de France's deputy director, Pierre-Yves Thouault, told AFP that the organization would sue the woman who inadvertently caused the crash. The only issue? She fled the scene and is still at large!

I have to increase my running mileage to be the handsomest guy. But my wife complain I run too much already, can't she see the change in my looks, supported by scientific study. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2551952/Study-Tour-France-cyclists-finds-good-looking-men-did-better.html http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/06/sports/cycling/cycling-study-says-hearts-race-with-the-riders.html?_r=0