BINTULU (July 15): The adrenaline-pumping Bintulu Mountain Bike Challenge 2024 came to an exhilarating close as over 100 riders tackled challenging laps on the rugged trails at Wisma Bintulu in six main categories on Sunday.

Laurel Lauridsen Adrian, representing Ghost Speed Racing Team, emerged as champion in the men’s open category. He blazed through the five laps in 1hr 13min 02secs ahead of 24 other riders.

Aidil Syahmizan Abdul Rahim of Sarawak MTB Development was second (1:17:10) and Zukri Tahir of GKAB team third in 1:19:18.

Nurfara Ain Nabiela Abdullah Hafiz of Sarawak MTB Development won the women’s open category in 1:12:02 followed by Nur Ain Ramadhannia Abdullah of Solidarity Cycling Club (1:15:02) and her teammate Naina Adriana Idris (1:18:09).

Top three in the 4-lap Master A category were Zukri Tahir of GKAB (1:02:22), Mohd Ridzuan Yussof of GKAB (1:04:30) and Mohd Razif Mohd Salleh of Tugau Cycling Team who was credited with the same time.

Top three in the field of 12 for the 3-lap Master B were Supian Nor of Pro Apparel Sarawak (52:58), Rozainie Ratu of Tutong Cycling Team (59:26) and Ikhwandy Zen of Sonamu Cycling Team (1:07:34).

The junior category over four laps was won by  Mohd Zakwan Zamahari of Sarawak MTB Development (1:08:30) followed by Nur Azri Erwandie of Solidarity Cycling Club (same time) and Mohd Fiqri Iqbal Kadir of Sarawak MTB Development (1:08:49). A total of 19 junior riders entered the race.

Top three finishers in the 4-lap Bintulu closed category, which attracted 22 cyclists, were Aidil Syahmizan Abdul Rahim of Sarawak MTB Development (59:30), teammate Mohd Zakwan Zamahari (1:04:24) and Muhd Syahmi Hafeh of Solidarity Cycling Club (1:11:00).

Prizes were given out by Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) deputy chairman Datu Haidar Khan Asghar Khan, BDA general manager Datu Muhamad Yakup Kari and Sarawak Premier’s political secretary Angellie Stephen Raja.