(Miri, 26th) The 2025 Kuala Baram Cycling Race 4.0 is set to take place grandly on July 5th and 6th.
Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dato Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, announced at a press conference this morning that this year’s event is bigger than ever, attracting riders from 7 countries, 8 Malaysian states, and 11 Sarawak divisions. The number of participants has surged from last year’s 331 to 632 this year—almost a doubling in numbers.
He said that this event, co-organized by the Masterpiece Cycling Club and Miri City Council with strong support from the Sarawak Ministry of Tourism, has gradually become a representative regional sports tourism event. This year, the Ministry of Tourism allocated RM150,000 to support the race, hoping to promote Miri as a regional center for cycling events and a healthy lifestyle through sports tourism.
Sebastian Ting made these remarks at a press conference held this morning at the Miri City Council Building, 9th floor conference room. Attendees included Masterpiece Cycling Club representative Abu Bakar (Abu Bakar Jolhassan), Miri City Council Deputy Secretary Petrick Linggie (Petrick Linggie Anak Taboh), Council Member and Vice-Chairman of the Miri City Council Tourism Development Working Committee Romulus Charles Agan Raja, as well as several Miri City Council officials and members of the Tourism Development Planning Committee.
Promoting Miri as an International City for Cycling Events
Ting stated that since its inception four years ago, the Kuala Baram Cycling Race has gradually expanded in scale, encompassing a 22km team time trial and a 111km open road race, spanning 16 major roads and 4 newly constructed roads, with routes traversing both urban and rural areas—offering diverse scenery.
He said that this is not just a competition but also a platform for promoting healthy living, nurturing young athletes, fostering sports tourism, and encouraging international exchange, in line with the blueprint to build Miri as an ‘International Green Smart Resort City.’ He welcomes more domestic and international riders to come to Miri to experience the city’s sporting vitality and natural scenery.
International Riders Join Making Competition Intense
He pointed out that this year’s event brings in international participants from Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand; locally, there are riders from 8 states and 11 divisions of Sarawak, forming an unprecedentedly strong lineup.
This edition also features international stars, including 2024 Tour of Thailand green jersey winner Izzat Hilmi, Stage 6 winner of the Luzon Tour in the Philippines Muhammad Zahin Wahhi, Malaysia’s first Le Tour de Langkawi stage winner Anuar Manan, former Indonesian national team member Rakhmadhani, national champion Kep Hasmat, former UCI pro Razif "Panjang" Salleh, along with many Sarawak and Terengganu SUKMA youth athletes—symbolizing the new hope for Malaysia’s cycling sport.
“We are looking forward even more to seeing young Sarawak riders develop and break through on such an international stage, and hopefully one day reach the Olympic or world stage.”
Total Prize Money Nears RM50,000, Attracts Top Competitors
This year, organizers are offering RM49,850 in prize money, covering multiple categories including Men’s Open, Junior, Masters, Veterans, Women, and Super Veterans, attracting participants from all age groups.
“Prize money is an important factor in attracting high-level participants and also provides local riders with a valuable opportunity to compete, learn, and improve alongside international contestants.”
Road Closures to Note
The organizers also announced that phased traffic control will be implemented during the event and called on citizens to cooperate and plan their journeys ahead of time.
The team time trial will be held on July 5th (Saturday) from 7:00 am to 10:30 am; affected sections include Senadin Maigold Road (Senadin traffic lights), Lutong–Kuala Baram Road (up to Crocodile Farm junction).
On July 6th (Sunday) from 6:30 am to 11:00 am, Jalan Kuala Baram will be fully closed, with other roads subject to intermittent closures as necessary, managed by police and traffic coordinators.
Ting also reminded road users to pay attention to traffic notices and take alternative routes in advance to minimize inconvenience.
