SINGAPORE – A new Round Island Virtual Ride is among the highlights of the OCBC Cycle, which will take place on May 3 and 4.

In this new category, which has only 100 slots, participants must complete at least 120km around the island in a single attempt within 24 hours from May 3 to June 2.

They must also submit ride details such as date, distance and duration – recorded by a fitness tracker – the ride map, along with a picture of themselves and their bicycle.

Organisers said this category was created following feedback from post-event surveys, in which respondents said they enjoy “long-distance virtual rides on an own-time-own-target basis”.

The 100km virtual ride, a regular feature of recent editions, will continue. In this category, cyclists also complete the distance with their own routes within four separate rides, with indoor rides also applicable.

Other changes for the mass cycling event in 2025 include an increase from 1,000 to 1,500 slots for the Foldie Ride by Brompton category, which debuted in 2024 and was sold out in the first month.

Back for its 17th edition, organisers are targeting 7,000 participants in eight categories.

The main categories – The Straits Times Ride (20km), the Sportive Ride (40km) and the Foldie Ride by Brompton (40km) – will take place on closed roads on May 4, with landmarks such as the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, Singapore Flyer and Gardens by the Bay along the route.

This year’s event launch will be done fully online, with registration opening on ocbccycle.com at noon on Feb 14.

There is also a launch weekend promotion till Feb 16, where cyclists can sign up at discounted rates of up to 35 per cent off normal registration prices. 

During this promotion, 155 cyclists who sign up for the three main categories will be picked to win prizes ranging from staycation packages to cycling equipment.

Early-bird rates will apply from Feb 17 till March 16, with registration closing on April 21.

Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) president Hing Siong Chen said he is glad to see the inclusion of another virtual ride.

He added: “This is a step in the right direction for virtual sports, including cycling e-sports, which has seen a phenomenal global growth in interest and participation. On the local front, the virtual rides complement SCF’s ongoing efforts to create a conducive, competitive and healthy space for cycling e-sports.

“The round-island ride will provide an outdoor...