KUCHING, May 13: The Siol International Mountain Bike Challenge (SIMBC) 2025 will offer a record-breaking prize pool of RM100,000, making it the largest prize money for a mountain biking event in Asia.
At a press conference today, Sarawak’s Minister of Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development, Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, announced the prize increase, noting that SIMBC 2025 is more than just a race. The event, scheduled for August 21-24 at Bukit Siol, will celebrate the sport of mountain biking and attract over 300 elite riders from across the globe.
“This is a highly anticipated event, held at a location known for its challenging terrain. It’s a chance for riders to test their skills and endurance against Bukit Siol’s rugged landscape,” Abdul Karim said.
He added that the large prize pool is a key factor in attracting international participants, with riders expected from countries including Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Nepal, China, South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia, and across Malaysia.
“SIMBC 2025 will unite professionals, amateurs, tourists, and locals, creating a vibrant and inclusive sporting festival. We expect thousands of spectators from the local community to attend,” Abdul Karim continued.
The event, organized by the Kuching North City Commission (DBKU), has been a staple in the mountain biking calendar since 2003. In 2014, the event was upgraded to meet the full specifications of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and by 2016, it became a UCI Category 3 (C3) race. This year, SIMBC 2025 was awarded UCI Class 1 (C1) status, solidifying its reputation as one of the premier cycling events in the region.
SIMBC 2025 will mark another milestone for Sarawak as it continues to grow as a key destination for international mountain biking competitions.