KUCHING — The 10th Siol International Mountain Bike Challenge (SIMBC) wrapped up on August 24, showcasing Sarawak’s growing stature as a premier mountain biking hub.
Over a thrilling four-day period (August 21–24), the Bukit Siol MTB Track hosted competitors from across the globe.
A total of 162 riders from seven countries including Japan, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, and Malaysia joined the competition, underscoring its international appeal.
This edition marked a pivotal milestone as SIMBC was elevated to UCI Class 1 (C1) status, distinguishing it as the first MTB race held within an urban nature park in Malaysia to achieve such recognition.
This elevation places Sarawak alongside esteemed global venues in Switzerland, Spain, Austria, and New Zealand, offering competitors valuable UCI ranking points toward international championships, including the Olympic Games.
Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, lauded the upgrade during the closing ceremony.
He highlighted Bukit Siol’s suitability as a natural, high-quality terrain for international MTB tournaments and pledged continued development of the course to enhance challenge and safety for riders.
DBKU Mayor, Dato Hilmy Othman, affirmed that Kuching North City Commission is committed to further improving the track infrastructure to uphold its newfound international standard.
SIMBC 2025 featured five main racing categories: Cross Country Olympic (XCO) – Class 1, Downhill Individual (DHI) – Class 2, Cross Country Short Course (XCC) – Class 3, Cross Country Eliminator (XCE) – Class 3, and a team-based Cross Country Relay (XCR).
Significantly, the total prize pool reached RM100,000, making it the largest offered in any Asian mountain biking competition to date.
Sarawak Cycling Association President Irawan Sudarsono praised the new classification, calling it the highest accolade possible and predicting it will attract increased global participation.
He noted that the tropical climate and challenging terrain at Bukit Siol offers unique preparation conditions for athletes accustomed to drier environments.
SIMBC having become a fixture on both the UCI and national sports calendars, continues to boost Sarawak’s visibility in international sports tourism.
Its diverse race formats—particularly the relay, first introduced at Bukit Siol—may influence future global MTB competitions.
In summary, SIMBC 2025 demonstrated Sarawak’s evolution into a world-class sports destination—fostering talent, encouraging international camaraderie, and positioning Bukit Siol as a beacon of mountain biking excellence.
