We have added link buttons to the “Top Ten Rules” for quick reference – see below
[LATEST UPDATE: 3 July 2026]
Q: Do I really have to wear knee pads?
A: Yes. This is one of the non-negotiable rules of SOE. No knee pads = no start for Race Day. This rule also applies to the Under-17 category and younger racers and their increased regulations requiring a full-face helmet and knee pads to be worn at all times: lack of any one of these equipment items. = no start. Cadet Racers (aged 12 years and under) must also comply with additional rules regarding mandatory full-face, knee pads, and elbow pads to be worn at all times.
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Q: Why is there no Prologue Stage for 2026?
A: We have sufficient historical data now based on the last two events to seed riders in the first 2-3 waves reliably. sufficient interval timings between riders on the first stage (being a relatively short stage) and a significant buffer time gap between waves further ensures that blocking of competitive participants (as opposed to participants just joining for completions’ sake) is minimised. Racers in all waves all expected to self-seed, exercising common sense and gracious behaviour.
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Q: How can spectators view the evnet?
A: Spectators are highly encouraged. Please inform spectators of the timings and location as per the content of the Race Week Schedule document – to be made viewable and downloadable soon. Spectators are encouraged to come with their mountain bikes in order to access the best viewing spots. Spectators: please park your bike in a considerate manner and do not obstruct the race course, racers, or event staff while the event is ongoing.
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Q: How does the lucky draw work?
A: You have to be present in-person to collect the lucky draw prizes. Your race plate number/ticket number (for racers) or nickname (for event staff) will be called up at the awards stage, and a limited amount of time is allotted before the call is forfeited and a new recipient is picked. This is a strong incentive to attend the awards ceremony ,where we shall be interspersing the podium presentations with lucky draws!
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Q: How many podium prizes are there?
A: Podium places and prizes are awarded from 1st to 5th place for a full category (minimum of 5 racers entered). Non-full categories (less than 5 athletes entered) may be combined with an adjacent category.
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Q: How will SCF MTB/Off-Road Series Points winners be acknowledged and awarded points during the results tally and prize presentations?
A: A separate results sheet that tallies points across the contested OCBC / SCF MTB/Off-Road Series categories will be produced alongside the main SOE ranking results. This separate results tally does not affect the podium standings or their respective prize distribution in any way.
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Q: I only have a hardtail bike. Should I use that for the race?
A: Yes! In fact we expect hardtail bikes to hold their own against bikes equipped with full-suspension (especially longer travel models). Take advantage of the versatility of hardtails on Singapore’s local terrain and train accordingly.
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Q: What type of training should I do to prepare for this race?
A: Strictly speaking from a coaching perspective, a successful athlete in this event should be able to produce high-powered anaerobic threshold efforts for between 1-4 minutes, repeatable after some substantial rest; as well as last for a whole day of riding at aerobic (conversational pace) efforts for between 2-4 hours. They should also be well-versed in riding Singapore’s local technical singletrack, including clearing of small-to-mid-size drops/jumps and occasional steep sections. The course is designed to be one that is both fun and achievable in training (and hence racing), as if it were a ride route from any given weekend. Riding regularly on our local trails will give you sufficient familiarity to tackle the challenges of race day.
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Q: I’m driving to the event on 11 July 2026. Where can I park my personal vehicle / carpool vehicle?
A: Please heed public parking directives and availability around the following roads and estates: a) Cheong Chin Nam Road, b) Toh Yi Drive, c) Mayfair Park, d) Hindhede Drive. Racers park their vehicles in these circumstances at their own discretion.
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Q: Why is the cost of the 2026 event so high?
A: Because we the organisers are committed to bringing the MTB community in Singapore the most value-for-money event on our local trails possible. That means lots of perks and benefits for participants, equitably distributed and gratefully supported by our generous event sponsors and partners. We also owe it to our amazing volunteers to take the best possible care of their welfare and wellbeing while they work tirelessly as a team to bring this event to you. Additionally, there are unavoidable overheads associated with approvals, safety coverage, rental of logistics equipment, printing, catering, and so on. We seek your kind understanding on this matter and hope you will continue to support our event in spite of the rising costs we are all experiencing.
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Q: What additional safety regulations are applicable to the younger Enduro racers (aged 13-16 years old) and Kid-duro racers (aged 7-12 years old)?
A: All entrants aged 13 to 16 years old required to don full-face helmet and knee pads at all times when riding their bike (on both timed and untimed stages).
All entrants aged 12 years old and younger are required to don full-face helmet, knee pads, and elbow pads as compulsory attire items at all times when riding their bike (on both timed and untimed stages).
The definition of a full-face helmet = one that meets ASTM F1952 standards for downhill rated cycling helmets (suitable for rider aged 5 years old and above). This may entail a one-piece construction or a convertible construction (a removable chin-bar), but the entire helmet must be rated to that standard accordingly, and not hold a rating based on a component-by-component basis (eg: main helmet structure and chin-bar structure rated differently when separated).
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Q: What mountain bike is suitable for this event?
A: The mountain bike you typically ride in Singapore will fit in perfectly as the ideal machine for this event. There are basic requirements concerning the component specifications of the bike used by all riders (across all categories and courses), namely:
– Bike must have two independent, operational brakes.
– Bike must have bar-ends / edges of handlebars capped or covered.
– Bike must be able to be clearly marked with adhesive component stickers (provided by the Event organiser) on the following components (which will be checked to be in good working order): front triangle, rear triangle, front fork, rear shock (if applicable), front wheel rim, rear wheel rim.
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Q: Is the Singapore Cycling Federation (SCF) involved with SOE2026?
A: SOE2026 has been granted sanctioning by the SCF, and is classified as a Category 3 Mountain Bike Enduro (MTB END) event under their current events classification structure. The chief advantage of sanctioning is that it grants all participants the benefit of event insurance on event day – through the default inclusion of event day race licence for each participant who is not already a UCI annual race licence holder. The planning and organisation of SOE2026 remains 100% independent from SCF: SOE2026 works with SCF-appointed commissaires specifically for sporting control duties, but relies entirely on a volunteer crew and contracted companies (ambulance/paramedic company, F&B partners, timing system vendor) in order to work.
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Q: How are results calculated and compiled for the enduro format of MTB racing, for this event?
A: The cumulative timing from the timed Stages (6 stages, attempted on morning/afternoon of 11 July by Enduro participants OR; 3 stages attempted on morning of 11 July byKid-duro participants) are added together to give the overall event timing for a participant. The participant with the fastest overall event timing is declared the winner (within their category). Only one attempt per timed stage can be made (no repeat attempts are permitted).
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Q: Do untimed transfer stages factor into the overall event result?
A: Transfer stages, both before and after timed stages, are considered untimed segments, and do not count towards the overall event timing. However, there are maximum time limits for some transfer stages – exceeding this max. limit will incur a penalty in the form of the duration of time exceeded on the particular transfer stage (expressed in minutes and seconds) is added to the offending participant’s overall event timing. In short, don’t be late and dilly-dally on your transfer stages – transfer stage timings are INCLUSIVE OF RECOVERY TIME post-timed stage, ACTUAL MOVING TIME on the transfer stage, and QUEUEING TIME leading up to the start of the next timed stage.
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Q: When will the course markings be put up?
A: Course markings consisting of tape, arrows, and information signage for all 2 trail locations (Bukit Timah, Chestnut) will be put up 1 to 3 days before Event weekend. Public information signage (notifying the public of the Event) will be put up no later than 2 weeks before Event weekend.
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