Cyclists passing the Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam's Mosque in Jerudong during the 2011 edition of the Butra Heidelberg Cement Tour de Brunei. The Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation recently announced the postponement of this year's race. Picture: BT file
Brunei's biggest cycling race will not be held this year.
The Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation recently announced the postponement of the Tour de Brunei, the Sultanate's highlight cycling event of the year and the only one that features on the International Cycling Union (UCI) Asia Tour.
The race was originally penciled in for Sept 25-29 but has since been postponed to next year.
"Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation would like to inform all parties involved inthe Tour de Brunei 2013 edition that UCI Asia Tour de Brunei 2013, scheduled to be held from 25 to 29 September 2013 in Brunei Darussalam, is postponed to next year 2014," it said in a press release dated August 1.
"This decision was taken as race dates coincide with the dates of very important national events.
"Brunei Darussalam Cycling Federation apologises for any inconvenience caused from this decision," it added in the press release found on the event's website.
The postponement was verified by BDCF president Hj Rosli Hj Mohidin, who told The Brunei Times that UCI has also been informed of the decision.
However, the race remains listed on the UCI Asia Tour's calendar.
Like last year, this year's race was set to be the UCI Asia Tour's season ender.
Nineteen teams took part in last year's race which ran from Sept 26-30, with participation from several top UCI continental teams, national teams and clubs.
Brunei was represented by its national team, UCI continental team CCN Cycling Team and club side LOF Cycling Team with the national team finishing at the bottom of the 19-team pile.
CCN's Ahmad Rifa'ie Johar was Brunei's best rider after finishing the five-stage race in 61st.
The race, which was first held in 2011, has been dominated by Iranian powerhouses Tabriz Petrochemical Cycling Team who have won both editions of the event.
Tabriz's Hossein Askari is the defending champion, with Van Duan Le of Vietnam taking second last year and another Tabriz rider, Hossein Nateghi, finishing third in the battle for the yellow jersey.
Tabriz, who finished second in last year's UCI Asia Tour standings, won the tour every year from 2008 to 2011.
