Even rain couldn’t dampen the spirits at the Tour de France EFGH Singapore Criterium Pro Race, one of the highlights of the cycling extravaganza in November.
Against Marina Bay’s backdrop, Jonathan Milan of Italy surged past the line with raw power and precise timing to win the Tour de France EFGH Singapore Criterium 2025. The Lidl-Trek powerhouse, who wore Tour de France’s Green Jersey earlier this year, claimed victory ahead of Eritrean Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) in a finish billed as a clash of cycling’s fastest men.
The 2.45-km circuit, winding past landmarks from the Padang to Anderson Bridge and the Esplanade, provided a breathtaking stage for the showdown. While the finale was all about speed, the build-up required strategy. Team Singapore’s Thomas Tong and Arfan Faisal animated the early laps, taking turns at the front of a 40-rider peloton stacked with 32 UCI ProTour athletes.
Ben Healy of EF Education–EasyPost sent the crowd roaring with his trademark long-range attack on the final lap—a bold solo move that briefly threatened to upset the sprint script before being caught in the dying moments. His effort earned the Irish cyclist’s the night’s Most Active Rider award.
Philipsen, ever the opportunist, secured the intermediate sprint and the Points Classification Jersey. This added another accolade to the Belgian’s already impressive sprint summary.
The day, however, belonged to Milan. “It’s my first time racing in Singapore, so this victory is very special to me,” he says, smiling. “The weather was challenging, but the roads were perfect. My team did a great job. They closed the gaps and put me exactly where I needed to be for the sprint.”
Now in its fourth year, the criterium has evolved beyond an exhibition race. With renewed support from Singapore Tourism Board and Amaury Sport Organisation (the global organisers of Tour de France), and Embed Financial Group Holdings (EFGH) as the first-time title sponsor, the event has firmly established itself as one of Singapore’s premier sporting events.
EFGH Executive Chairman Dennis Ng describes this partnership as a long-term investment in the local community. “For us at EFGH, this is about inspiring the next generation and uniting communities through sport,” he says. “We want to build a legacy that celebrates world-class achievement and fuels local pride.”
Event organiser Evoke Exp’s Managing Director Agnes Goh describes this year’s turnout as the most vibrant so far: “On and off the course, there was phenomenal energy. It shows how far we’ve come in building a sporting spectacle with staying power.”
As well as elite racing, the weekend was also a festival for Singapore’s cycling community. The Tour de France Singapore Criterium: À l’Attaque (French for “charge!”) mass participation series saw local riders compete on the same closed-road course as the pros, across categories for men, women, masters, and foldable bicycles.
Through its Community Cycle, mobility firm Anywheel brought the spirit of the event to everyday cyclists. Hundreds pedalled around Marina Bay alongside Minister of State Baey Yam Keng, celebrating Singapore’s thriving cycling culture. Interactive fan zones at the Padang, family-friendly challenges like SG60 Seconds of Power, and sponsor events transformed downtown Singapore into a carnival over the weekend.
As Milan raised his arms in celebration on the podium, the message became clearer and stronger: Singapore isn’t just cheering on the world’s best riders; it is riding alongside them.
The race may have ended, but EFGH’s Executive Chairman Dennis Ng shares his discovery of the race’s “real finish line”.
What values do EFGH and the Tour de France share?
Discipline, transparency, and a relentless pursuit of progress. You can’t fake a 200-km ride, and you can’t fake sustainable growth. Both require teamwork and timing. Everyone must move together, or nobody moves at all.
What surprised you most about the way Singaporeans embraced the event?
We don’t have the Alps, but we have heart, and evidently, waterproof enthusiasm. Passion here doesn’t just run deep, it soaks into everything.
This is EFGH’s first year as title sponsor. What has been your biggest takeaway?
The CEO Charity Ride at sunrise was deeply meaningful. Corporate leaders traded their suits for sweat and raised $10,000 for Tzu-Chi Foundation (Singapore). It provides direct aid and care to underprivileged and disadvantaged communities. CEOs riding alongside everyday cyclists for a cause bigger than themselves is the real finish line.
