The second Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge – the Tropical Rainforest Challenge, has attracted a world-class field, with more than 20 nationalities expected to descend upon the legendary island in October.
Asia’s current bountain bike champion, the United States’ top junior rider, the Elite men’s defending champion, a former European champion, and the Elite women’s world number 12 are among those who will saddle up for the race on October 17-23.
The organisers of LIMBC 2011, Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd, have also announced the partnership with Telekom Malaysia Berhad and Yayasan Al-Bukhary as gold sponsors, with Sapura Group, Genting Malaysia Berhad, Perdana University and Berjaya Corporation as silver sponsors.
Human Voyage CEO, Datuk Malik Mydin, said the second edition of LIMBC promises to be an unforgettable event.
“With many top riders from Europe having confirmed their participation, we expect LIMBC 2011 to reaffirm its status as the ultimate race in Asia,” he said during the Sponsors Announcement and Press Conference of the LIMBC at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club on Wednesday.
The race’s Honorary Patron, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, officiated at Wednesday’s announcement. Also present were Deputy Chairman Genting Malaysia Berhad, Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar, Telekom Malaysia Berhad Chief Marketing Officer, Rozalila Abdul Rahman, Sapura Technology Chief Operating Officer, Dato’ Rodzlan Akib Abu Bakar, Sathappan Ganeson, Executive Director of Chase Perdana and representatives of MyCEB, Yasmin Group, Jakel and Langkawi Bayview Hotel.
Dr Mahathir said the event was important as a tool to attract tourists to Langkawi.
“It is important to have an event such as this in Langkawi as a tool to promote the islands to tourists. With the anticipated huge media interest and coverage, we hope to have more tourists coming over to the island.
“The publicity that LIMBC is expected to generate will help in attracting tourists, instead of having to pay a massive amount to have promotional clips broadcast all over the world,” said Dr Mahathir.
Top riders ready to roll into Langkawi
Top elite team, Team Colnago Farbe Sudtirol boasts World No 12 Nathalie Schneitter, winner of the Champery leg of the World Cup series last year. Nathalie will be accompanied by Swiss champ, Vivienne Meyer.
Inaugural winner, Lachlan Norris, will be eager to defend his elite men’s title while United States’ number one Under-23 rider, Russell Finsterwald, will represent the Subaru Trek team.
German-based Team Bulls will parade former European champion Thomas Dietsch of France and German three time Cape Epic champ, Karl Platt.
Completing the stellar line-up of teams are Team Bridgestone Anchor of Japan which boasts an impressive lineup including Mountain Bike cross country three time Asian champion, Kohei Yamamoto and MTN Qhubeka of South Africa.
Team Qhubeka will parade multiple South African mountain bike champ Yolande Speedy and Paul Cordes. Speedy, a three-time South African mountain bike champion, represented South Africa in the Beijing Olympics three years ago. Cordes comes with the distinction of having won the the ABSA Cape Epic in 2007 and as well as coming 19th overall in the men’s category of the 2011 edition.
Malik expressed gratitude to LIMBC partners for their support in making sure the race boasts the biggest purse in Asia, with a whopping RM360,000 (US120,000) in cash and lucky draw prizes to be won. Apart from the six sponsorship partners, the event is supported by the Malaysian Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau (MyCEB), with Hotel Bayview Langkawi as the official hotel and Maybank the official bank.
“We wish to thank our partners for their constant support. I’m certain the race will help meet the returns on investments,” said Malik.
Malik added riders in the Masters (40 – 50) and Senior Master Men’s (51 & above) Categories will be allowed to compete without a valid UCI racing license. Only those of the Elite men’s and women’s categories are required to have a valid UCI license approved by their National Cycling Federation.
The challenge awaits
The adventure begins with stage one on October 18 with the 62km round-island race, followed by the cross country Olympic which starts and finishes at Kampung Tok Senik Resort as stage two.
Stage three is a 7-hour endurance cross country special stage race at Telaga Harbour Park, Pantai Kok, followed by the nerve-shredding King of the Mountain and cross country race which will end at the Gunung Raya Hill as stage four, before the event culminates with stage five, a cross country short circuit race. An off-road jamboree ride marks the closing and final day of this much-anticipated race, with a limited participation of up to 1,000 riders for the 44km race. Social riders of all ages and backgrounds are welcomed to participate.
For LIMBC 2011, entry fee for international participants is US$400, which includes race registration fee for stage race and jamboree event, accommodation, full board meals and return transfer to the airport. A supporter’s package is also available at US$300.
Race entry fee for local riders is RM150 with free accommodation provided to the first 400 confirmed local participants to register. Riders wishing to participate only in the jamboree may do so with an entry fee of RM60.
Participants will be divided into four categories – Elite men between the ages 19 and 39, Elite women 19 and above, Master men 40-50 and Senior Master men 51 and above.
Registration is accepted either via online registration at www.mtbmalaysia.com or by sending the completed downloaded registration forms and proof of payment of registration fee to fax number 603-9222 1786 or via email to info@mtbmalaysia.com. Participants and members of the media are also invited to look out for upcoming updates over facebook.com/mtbmalaysia or twitter.com/mtbmalaysia.