This November, Singapore felt truly electric as it hosted the third edition of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. More than just a race, it marked the emotional farewell of cycling legend Mark Cavendish, the man who conquered 35 Tour de France stages.
TSG Rider with Mark Cavendish (Source: TSG’s Instagram)
“The farewell moment with Sir Mark was unforgettable, especially when everyone lifted their bikes while he passed through the peloton,” shared a thrilled Muhammad Herlangga, a rider from the Nusantara Cycling Team, Indonesian Pro Team, making his debut at the Singapore Criterium.
The event delivered intense sprint battles under Singapore’s tropical heat. Cyclists from around the globe competed alongside stars like Biniam Girmay, who claimed Green Jerseys in stages 3, 8, and 12 at this year’s Tour, and Jasper Philipsen, stage 16 winner. Covering 57.5 km (25 laps of 2.3 km), the criterium was preceded by a 2.3 km Pro Team Time Trial.
Southeast Asia’s pride, TSG, held onto their status as Asia’s No. 1 team in 2024. “We just enjoy the race this weekend, and we hope we can give our best,” said Aiman Cahyadi, one of TSG’s riders.
Representing Singapore Team, Polygon rider, Arfan Faisal echoed the sentiment. “I’m really proud, as is everyone else, to have the opportunity to race against the big names and show what we’re made of. I think we’re made of grit, hard work, and perseverance. Tomorrow, we’ll give it our all and see how far we can push ourselves,” he said.
Dominating the Pro Team Time Trial
TSG showcased a stellar performance, finishing first in the Pro Team Time Trial, narrowly edging out Nusantara Cycling Team by just two seconds. In an online interview, Maulana Astnan, an Indonesian National Champion, reflected on his role. Tasked with leading the team through the first sharp corner, he admitted to a near-crash at high speed, which cost them precious time. “It was unfortunate, but we still secured second place, which was a surprising result,” he added.
Source: Polygon Bikes’ Instagram
A Proud Moment for Southeast Asia
Singapore’s National Athlete Riyadh Hakim shone in the PRURide Seeker’s Mixed Open Criterium, clinching third place aboard the Polygon Helios A8X. Meanwhile, Aiman Cahyadi shared his pride in riding for Polygon: “As an Indonesian, I am proud to use Polygon. I think we should all be proud of this brand, as it represents Southeast Asia. It’s incredible to be in the peloton with the pros.”
For Polygon, the event was more than just a race—it was a celebration of their athletes’ achievements and their commitment to pushing boundaries. As the Singapore Criterium came to a close, it marked a sweet conclusion, not just for the competing athletes, but for all Polygon Riders around the globe.
