Langkawi (Oct 17, 2012): Fabian Giger retained the yellow jersey as he stretched his domination in the Men’s Open at the second stage of Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC) 2012 today. The Rabobank-Giant triumphed after battling the challenging 42km course from East to West of Langkawi by finishing ahead of Karl Platt from Team Bulls and his teammate Emil Lindgren of Rabobank-Giant.
The World Cup fifth-place rode alone in the last 30km of the race to finish the race in 2:10:14.43 after battling the 5km steep terrain dubbed as ‘The Great Wall of Langkawi’, “it was a very tough course with the heat, rain and all, it was quite short but slippery and full of challenges, but I like it. I will continue to focus for Stage 3 as I expect my rivals to go on the attacking mode tomorrow” said the jubilant Swiss to the reporters after the prize giving ceremony.
Defending champion Platt is still optimistic of his chances in the upcoming stages despite his best effort towards the end of the race. Platt was just 15.130 seconds behind the stage winner at the finishing line, “it is still early days, I will keep fighting as long as I should, the race is far from over,” said the German.
In the Women’s Open Category, Lea Davison of Team Specialized continued her impressive endurance to retain her pink jersey by emerging victorious ahead of Elisabeth Sveum of Norway and Janka Stevkova of Slovakia. She was all smiles at the finishing line at the Langkawi’s Oriental Village by clocking 2:44:02.00 and described the day as one of her craziest days on a bicycle. “This stage has it all – the big climb, jungle and gloomy weather. The track was just awesome and at one stage, I heard a loud thumping sound and I thought it was a bomb. I was all alone in the jungle but after the long hiking, it was all downhill and I enjoyed it,” said the 29-year-old American lass.
Malaysia’s best finishes today was Masziyaton Mohd Radzi by finishing 10th in the Women’s Open category by clocking 3:29:25.34 while Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi finished in 15th placing in the Men’s Open with the time of 2:39:46.72.
Australian Jenni King (Anytime Fitness/Trek) maintains her 9th position in the open womens category.
Tommorrows Stage 3, Langkawi Marathon, is expected to test the mental and physical endurance of the riders. With ominous weather conditions expected, the Marathon is set to 63.9km for Men’s Open and 42.6km for Women’s Open, Men’s Master and Senior Men’s Master.
Stage 4 is an Olympic distance Cross Country race around Langkawi GeoPark followed by Stage 5, a stunning beach front finale around a short circuit at Pantai Kok.
For all results check the MTBMalaysia website.
Check out the LIMBC action on YOUTUBE: Highlights of LIMBC 2012