Sprint ace Jonathan Milan set to race Jasper Philipsen at Tour de France S’pore Criterium

SINGAPORE – Less than two months after winning the Tour de France green jersey for topping the points classification, Italy’s Jonathan Milan has signed up for the Nov 1-2 Tour de France EFGH Singapore Criterium.

The 24-year-old said via a short video at a media session at Mandarin Oriental on Sept 12: “I really can’t wait to be at the Tour de France EFGH Singapore Criterium for my first time ever. I’m really excited to be there and I really can’t wait to see you all there. Let’s make it unforgettable!”

Milan’s participation sets up a tantalising sprint showdown between the Italian Stallion and Belgium’s Jasper “The Master” Philipsen, who claimed the Tour de France green jersey in 2023.

Milan, a Tokyo Olympic champion in 2021 and Paris 2024 bronze medallist in the track cycling team pursuit event, secured two stage wins in the 2025 Tour de France, and sealed the coveted green jersey in July to become the first Italian to claim the points classification since Alessandro Petacchi in 2010.

He had been tipped for a high-stakes battle with Philipsen at the 2025 Tour, but the Belgian, who won the opening stage to take the yellow jersey, broke his collarbone in a crash in Stage 3 and withdrew from the race.

Philipsen had won the 2023 Singapore Criterium, but was pipped at the final stretch by Briton Mark Cavendish in 2024.

The long-awaited clash will now unfold in Singapore, where they will go head-to-head on the Marina Bay Street Circuit, passing iconic landmarks including the Padang, Anderson Bridge, and Esplanade.

The exact route will be announced later, as organisers are set to reveal a longer stretch and more free public viewing opportunities.

At the event, Embed Financial Group Holdings (EFGH) was also announced as the Singapore Criterium’s new title sponsor, as the annual race enters its fourth year with renewed backing from the Singapore Tourism Board and Amaury Sport Organisation.

EFGH executive chairman Dennis Ng said: “We see strong parallels between the spirit of the Tour de France and what we are building at EFGH. Just as cycling unites fans and athletes worldwide, finance must unite people and businesses.”

Premium spectator tickets for the Finish Line ($68) and Prestige Club ($168) are available on Trip.com.

The 2025 programme seeks to provide more public participation opportunities.

Throughout October, riders can use the new Explore Routes feature in the Anywheel app to cycle the pro criterium route at their own pace and earn rewards. On Nov 2, the Anywheel Community Cycle will offer a free chance to ride the iconic race course on Anywheel bicycles.

On Nov 1 and 2, fans can also meet and take on their favourite riders in a 60-second challenge at the Singapore Recreation Club.

On Nov 2, the public can join A l’Attaque, featuring four formats – a team time trial for road cyclists, solo races for masters (men 35+) and women (17+), and a unique foldie sprint where riders must unfold their bikes before competing on the closed-loop circuit.

Agnes Goh, managing director of Singapore Criterium organiser Evoke Exp, added: “Together, we are shaping a platform that not only delivers world-class sporting action but also creates long-term value at the intersection of sport, business, and community.”