Grand Finale of YSD Track Series 2025 marks three-year milestone, new MoU with MSN and expanded race calendar for junior and elite riders. 

Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), the philanthropic arm of Sime Darby Berhad, SD Guthrie Berhad and Sime Darby Property Berhad, today announced a strategic one-year expansion and rebranding of its highly successful cycling programme, launching the Yayasan Sime Darby Track & BMX Series 2026 as a continuation of a proven development programme that has been in place since 2023.  

The announcement was made in conjunction with the Yayasan Sime Darby Track and BMX Series 2025 Finale at the National Velodrome in Nilai, which also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between YSD and the National Sports Council (MSN). The MoU was signed by YSD Chief Executive Officer, Yang Berusaha Dr Hajah Yatela Zainal Abidin, and MSN Director-General, Yang Berusaha Encik Jefri bin Ngadirin, and witnessed by YSD Chairman, Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar. The MoU formalises a strategic collaboration between the private and public sectors to provide a safe and competitive race platform that supports more sustainable and holistic development of young cycling talent. 

 
Also present were President of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF/PKBM), Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Amarjit Singh Gill; High Performance Director of MSN and Technical Advisor for the YSD Track Series, John Beasley; Managing Director, Motors Division, Sime Darby Berhad, Andrew Basham; and Executive Director of the Foundation for Malaysian Sporting Excellence (SportExcel), Yang Berusaha Encik Sivanandan Chinnadurai. 
 
The 2026 edition will continue to integrate BMX as part of a comprehensive national cycling talent development effort, rather than focusing on a single discipline. YSD will work closely with MSN, MNCF and SportExcel to realise this objective. 
 
YSD Chairman, Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, said that the programme has demonstrated that a well-organised, high-impact local race series can revitalise Malaysia’s racing culture. 

“The YSD Track Series has dramatically expanded the competitive opportunities available to Malaysian cyclists—far beyond the previous annual average of just four races. This consistent race calendar is a game-changer for athlete development -- fostering new clubs, strengthening community engagement, and broadening the national talent pool,” said Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Chairman of YSD.  

Tunku Imran added that the series has already demonstrated its potential as a platform for champions such as Sawda Hasbullah, the Women Junior World Record holder in the Women’s 1km Time Trial (1:10.818s), and Mohamad Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin, World Champion in the Para-cycling Sprint (MC1 200m), underscoring the importance of consistent competitive exposure for Malaysian riders. 

Launched in 2022, the Yayasan Sime Darby Track and BMX Series was established to build a stronger local track racing culture by providing a structured competition platform for young riders through to elite level. Over the past three years, YSD has invested RM2.7 million to support the organisation of up to 52 races at the National Velodrome. 
 
To date, the series has recorded 5,325 entries from clubs across Malaysia as well as international riders from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, India, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia. This performance reflects a growing and vibrant racing community. The series has also significantly increased the number of races held annually, far exceeding the previous average of four races a year, which is a critical requirement for athlete development. 

 
The Yayasan Sime Darby Track and BMX Series 2026 is a one-year extension of the programme with an allocation of RM600,000. It will comprise eight track races and six BMX races, covering categories from Under-7 to Elite in both disciplines. 
 
This expansion is aligned with YSD’s Sports pillar focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and grassroots development, and is in line with the aspirations of the National Sports Vision 2030. 
 
YSD also collaborates with organisations such as the Nicol David Organisation and the Malaysian Cricket Association to open up more inclusive pathways for young athletes, especially girls, through initiatives including the Cricket Adiwira programme, Little Legends, women’s football development and international exposure programmes. 
 
The Yayasan Sime Darby Track and BMX Series 2026 is regarded as an important investment in ensuring that Malaysia’s cycling ecosystem continues to grow, so that more young male and female talents can progress to the international stage.