The high-octane and thrilling inaugural OCBC Cycle Speedway Club Championship will be taking place for the first time this year – at the OCBC Cycle 2015.
Pitting 15 top local cycling teams against each other, this competition is set to ignite the local cycling scene and thrill fans with its exhilarating high-speed format.
Teams will compete in a relay format
In this competition, the riders in each team will ride a total of 10 laps – in pairs – round a fast and flat 1km course. The first two cyclists will complete 5 laps of the circuit, before passing the baton to the next two team mates to complete the final 5 laps.
The first of its kind in not just Singapore, but the entire region, this event offers cycling fans adrenaline-pumping and fast action, amidst a safe and spectator-friendly format and fans can get a close up and personal experience of the action from several spectator points along the route.
Explained Koh Ching Ching, Head of Group Corporate Communications at OCBC Bank, “One of the objectives of the new OCBC Cycle is to increase the engagement with the local cycling community. Given the lack of high-performance cycling enthusiasts in Singapore, the OCBC Cycle Speedway Club Championships aims to feed that hunger for good local races.”
She added, The sheer thrill and excitement of the 15 teams taking part in a relay, where strong competency and flawless teamwork are the key ingredients for victory, will be much anticipated.”
The top three winning teams will get $800, $600 and $400 in prize money respectively.
Teams taking part are looking forward to the challenge
One of the teams taking part is the Geylang Cycling Team. They are one of Singapore’s oldest cycling teams and were started in 1967. Said team manager Paul Lim, “It is definitely a right move to initiate more cycling events, as inter-club competitions will raise the standard of cycling and also help grow the cycling fraternity, especially the clubs.”
Added Leong Sai Keong, team manager of Joyriders Racing Team – who were formed in 2012 as one of Singapore’s most popular recreational cycling communities, “The Championship provides the platform for the clubs to compete at the club level, which is lacking in the cycling racing scene in Singapore.”
The Joyriders will send two teams into the heart of the action – and team-mate Sebastian Varguese was very cocky and confident about his team’s chances. He said, “I think our first team can definitely do a podium finish although we will have to watch out for the Mavericks, who will be our biggest competition.”
OCBC Cycle Speedway Championships to be held on 29 August
The OCBC Cycle Speedway Championships will be held on Saturday 29 August at the Singapore Sports Hub. The Mighty Savers Kids and Family Ride will be taking place on the same day. The community rides – the Straits Times Ride and the Sportive Ride, will be held the next day.
The teams participating in the OCBC Speedway Club Championships are as follows. (See Table).
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