National Bike Racing Championship "KPI RU IV Cilacap Criterium Open Championship 2024" Successfully Held

JAKARTA - As many as 500 bicycle racers from various regions in Indonesia took part in the national criterium bicycle racing championship entitled "KPI RU IV Cilacap Criterium Open Championship 2024". This championship took place in the green open space (RTH) area of Sudirman Plaza, Cilacap, Central Java, on Saturday, December 14

This bicycle racing event took 14 classes consisting of various categories, including Executive Management Exhibition, Under 6 Exhibition, BMX Boy/Girl Max 8, BMX Challenge Boy/Girl 9-10, Man Local Hobbies, Roadbike Challenge Boy/Girl 11-12, Roadbike Challenge Boy/Girl 13-14, Internal Pertamina, Man/Woman Youth, Man Junior, Master A/B/C Open, Man Local Athlete and Non-Hobbies, Woman 17 up, and Man Elite.

General Manager of PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) RU IV Cilacap, Wahyu Sulistyo Wibowo, who opened the championship, said that this event was the second time it had been held after its success in 2023. "The implementation of this bicycle competition is in the context of the 67th Anniversary of Pertamina and the 7th Anniversary of PT KPI," he said.

Wahyu hopes that this activity can provide benefits to the community and be able to produce new seeds of bicycle racers from Cilacap Regency. He emphasized the importance of activities like this to encourage the interests and talents of young people in the world of cycling.

Acting (Pj) Regent of Cilacap, Muhammad Arief Irwanto, gave high appreciation to PT KPI RU IV Cilacap as the organizer of this championship. According to him, this event has two big points that can be taken advantage of. "The first is how to then capture the talents of teenagers who then love bicycles. Then those related to the children, can develop the potential for professionalism to become racers," said Arief.

The second point, continued Arief, is that this event can develop various activities in Cilacap Regency which in turn support the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). He hopes that this championship can bring Cilacap to a better and more developed direction.

Chairman of the Sports Development Agency (Bapor) RU IV Cilacap, Ahmad Rifqi Anda, added that this championship was attended by bicycle racers from various cities in Java and other areas such as Kalimantan and Sumatra. He hopes that the number of bicycle racers participating in similar championships will continue to increase in the coming years, so that they can produce quality bicycle athletes from Cilacap and from the national level.

"Both from Cilacap and from national athletes. Hopefully every year Pertamina can support this activity," he said.

This bicycle racing championship is not only a competition but also a means to promote a healthy lifestyle and develop sports talent among young people. With the support of various parties, it is hoped that this event can become an annual agenda that continues to be sustainable and brings benefits to all levels of society.

The "KPI RU IV Cilacap Criterium Open Championship 2024" Championship is clear evidence that sports can be a unifying and regional potential development tool. With the support from local governments and private companies, it is hoped that this championship can continue and produce bicycle racers who excel in the future.