Last organizer in 2019 the Tour de Bintan UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifying race triumphantly returned with over 800 participants for its 10th edition on 14-15 October in Southeast Asia.

Worlds qualifying started on Friday with a flat 16.9 kilometers long individual time trial including only 200 meters of elevation difference. Boon Kiak Yeo (Singapore National Team) was the fastest rider, clocking a 23:11 winning time at an average speed of 42.5 km/hr to qualify for the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championship Time Trial. Francois Balland (23:14) finished in second place with Matthew Brittain (23:43) third. Ava Woo (Women’s Academy) was the women’s champion in 28:24.

On Saturday in the 138km women’s gran fondo road race a group of five arrived at the finish together to sprint for glory. Ava Woo almost scored her second win of the weekend, but was pipped at the line by teammate Faye Foo (Women’s Academy), with Long Xin Cheong taking third place. All three finished in 4:23:39.

In the men’s gran fondo Boon Kia Yeo did score a double, winning his second race by once again defeating Francois Balland, both with a final time of 4:33:45. Calvin Sim (4:33:46) was third and Darren Lim (4:38:47) fourth after a brave solo attack put him three minutes up on Yeo, Balland and Sim before being caught.

Riders finishing in the top top 20% of their age/gender category in the time trial or gran fondo automatically qualify to participate in the 2023 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships taking place next August in Glasgow, Scotland UK.

The next event in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championship qualifying series is Gran Fondo Antalya scheduled 20 November in Turkey.

Complete Tour de Bintan results HERE.

Photos/Media:Tour de Bintan