The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium is back, promising bigger thrills, high-octane excitement and the fastest race on two wheels to be witnessed on Singapore’s city streets.
Taking place from 28 to 29 October 2023, the Prudential Singapore Criterium is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and will see some of the world’s best cyclists take to a city circuit that will bring them past some of the city’s most iconic sites in Downtown Singapore.
Last year’s inaugural edition attracted 32 top cyclists from eight of the world’s best professional teams. They included four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, joint record holder for the most Tour de France stage wins (34) Mark Cavendish and 2022 Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard, who won the inaugural Singapore race.
Said Mr Vingegaard: “I’m happy to hear that the Tour de France Criterium will be back in Singapore for this year. I’m sure it will be just as great as last year.”
Added Mr Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France: “After a successful first edition in 2022, which saw the Tour de France title holder Jonas Vingegaard triumph in the Singapore heat, we are delighted to be back in the Lion City in October 2023 to continue writing the history of the Tour de France in South East Asia.
“This second edition promises to stir up the passion of fans in Singapore even more! We look forward to celebrating sport, cycling and the champions of the biggest race in the world at the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium.”
STB’s Executive Director for Sports and Wellness, Ms Ong Ling Lee added: “We look forward to bringing the biggest names from Tour de France closer to their local and international fans here in Singapore this October. This prestigious event strengthens the buzz of our vibrant city and differentiates us as a destination for world-class events.”
Backing the Singapore Criterium for the second year running is leading life insurer Prudential Singapore (Prudential). As part of its ongoing mission to encourage communities to be healthier and more active, the Prudential group has supported other cycling events such as the Prudential RideLondon cycling festival in 2019, PRURide Indonesia in 2022 and PRURide Philippines in May 2023.
Said Mr Dennis Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Singapore: “A preventive approach is key to living well for longer, and cycling is a great way to help people of all ages stay active and lead healthier lives. It also bonds family and friends and brings the community together. We are excited to continue to champion this sport in Singapore and we hope to encourage even more people to take up cycling.”
Prudential will also be organising cycling clinics through its PRURide Seeker’s Society, an exclusive cycling club started in 2022 as part of the title sponsorship of the Singapore event. Members of the public can sign up to be part of PRURide Seeker’s Society and gain access to complimentary cycling clinics with professional coaches and athletes from the Singapore Cycling Federation to improve their cycling skills. PRURide Seeker’s Society members will also have an opportunity to be selected to race in a special Prudential Criterium during the race weekend, the only event for non-professional cyclists.
The 2023 edition of Tour de France kicks off in Bilbao, Spain on 1 July 2023 before ending on the streets of Paris and at the iconic Champs-Elysees on 23 July.
EXPECT EXCITEMENT IN 2023
The Prudential Singapore Criterium is helmed by events consultancy and rights holder, EVOKE EXP in conjunction with Red Spade Entertainment.
Said Ms Agnes Goh, spokesperson for EVOKE EXP: “We are thrilled to continue the excitement of Tour de France and elevate the prestige of the Singapore Prudential Criterium this year. Fans can look forward to an exciting, high energy race that will feature some of Singapore’s biggest landmarks.
“As our tagline says, expect a Fast and Fearless event this year.”
But the excitement and entertainment will not only be confined to sports.
Two renowned musical acts are set to headline The Sundown Live Party (Oct 28) and the Prudential Singapore Criterium closing party on (Oct 29).
The Sundown Live Party is a one-night only, satellite version of the iconic Sundown Festival. Featuring a curated line-up of the best Asian musicians in a party-concert format, the event serves as a platform to enhance the experience of the main Sundown Festival. Details of the headliners for both music events will be announced at a later date.
Said Mr Kelvin Goh, Director of Red Spade Entertainment, the main organiser of Sundown Festival: “Just as the excitement will be fast and fearless during the race, we want the same raw energy to define our music events.
“We are glad to be back and part of this year’s Prudential Singapore Criterium where we hope to help raise the experience level of this marquee event to new heights.”
Fans can stay up-to-date on event announcements and ticketing sales on https://singaporecriterium.com/ as well as on Facebook and Instagram. The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium takes place from 28 to 29 October 2023.
