By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, May 16: Siol International Mountain Bike Challenge (SIMBC) 2024 scheduled for three days from June 21 to June 23 at the Siol Mountain Bike Track (MBT) at Bukit Siol is set to be a challenging tournament, with participants competing for a total cash prize pool of RM74,000.
According to Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts (MTCP) Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, SIMBC can serve as a platform for cyclists to practise and prepare for the upcoming Malaysia Games (Sukma) in August.
“It (SIMBC) also provides an opportunity for Sukma athletes to prepare for the tournament where the Siol MBT track is also the same venue for organising BMX and Mountain Bike Events for Sukma 2024,” said Abdul Karim today during a press conference at Baitulmakmur II Building here.
Last year’s event saw 116 international participants from the Philippines, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, and India, along with 57 local participants from Johor, Terengganu, Sabah, Kedah, Melaka, Putrajaya, and Sarawak.
As of this year, SIMBC is expecting approximately 300 participants from 12 Asian countries.
SIMBC will feature five main categories: Cross Country Olympic (XCO), Downhill Individual (DHI), Cross Country Short Course (XCC), Cross Country Eliminator (XCE), and Cross Country Team Relay, with XCO and DHI being new additions.
The categories for SIDMC 2024 are as follows:
The event is sanctioned by Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), assisted by Malaysian National Cycling Federation and Sarawak Cycling Association (SCA), as well as sponsored by Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd, Penview Hotel, Giant Bicycles, and Leaves Food Industries Sdn Bhd.
For more information on the competition, visit https://dbku.events/.
Among those present were Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) Mayor Hilmi Othman and DBKU director Mohamed Khaidir Abang. — DayakDaily
