After facing uncertainty in his early-season performances, Riyadh Hakim set a goal for himself: to prove that he still had it—the champion gene—in his blood. Competing against more than 40 riders from across Asia, he showed his caliber. The Singapore National Cyclist secured the bronze medal at the XCE Mountain Bike Asian Continental Championship (MTB ACC) 2025 in China on April 27.
Bringing together dozens of riders from across Asia, the MTB ACC is one of the region’s most prestigious races. Winning this event means you’re among the best MTB riders in Asia. Having represented Singapore seven times, Riyadh understands the weight this race carries. The 2019 XCE MTB Asian Champion was determined to bring home a strong result.
From XCO Trials to XCE Finals: Riyadh Pushes Through Pressure to Shine
The day before, the 26-year-old rider tested the course in the Cross-country Olympic (XCO) Championship, where he placed 20th. XCO is the only mountain bike format featured in the Olympics, typically raced in multiple laps of 4—6 kilometers. In contrast, XCE (Cross-country Eliminator) is a shorter format where four riders compete head-to-head on a compact course. “It’s a physical course with long climbs and flowy descents —definitely different from the usual XCE tracks I’m used to,” he explained.
It’s no surprise that he felt internal pressure heading into race day. Riyadh began to feel more confident after placing 4th in the time trial and advancing through each heat with solid results. “I was nervous. But after seeing my time in the qualifying round, I felt relieved knowing I was on pace,” he shared.
In the Big Final, Riyadh was the only Southeast Asian rider in a field that included two competitors from China and one from Kazakhstan. The host nation had shown dominance throughout the event. Riyadh knew he had to stay mentally strong. “After each heat, my confidence kept growing. I knew I just had to stick to the plan and execute it as best as I could to get a result,” he said.
Third Medal, Still Hungry: What Drives Riyadh Forward
Bringing home the bronze medal brought joy to many back in Singapore and gave Riyadh a powerful sense of achievement. This marks his third medal in the XCE MTB Asian Continental Championship. “I feel really proud to bring home another medal for our supporters to celebrate—and to keep inspiring the next generation that we can compete with the best,” he said.
With more races still ahead this season, Riyadh was asked what keeps him motivated. He responded warmly, “I just love to compete and race my bike! But of course, my family, friends, and everyone back home keep the fire burning and make me want to keep fighting for more.”
