Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC)

Sweet Maiden Victory for Swiss Rider at LIMBC 2012

News Release / 16.10.2012

LANGKAWI (Oct 15, 2012):  It was a sweet maiden victory for Florian Vogel at the Men Open Prologue Individual Time Trial at Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge 2012 (LIMBC).

The Scott Swisspower rider was beaming with joy after learning that he clocked the fastest time of 5:08.29 in the 2.4km track at Dataran Legenda today.

“I will hang on to this stage lead for as long as I could. I won’t give it up easily since this is my first stage victory of any competition in my career,” said Vogel to reporters after the prize winning ceremony.

His career highlight was finishing third at the World Championship, Mountainbike XC, Canberra and seeing action at the Olympic Games.

The beaming Swiss couldn’t hide his delight wearing the yellow jersey despite the humid condition and hot afternoon in Langkawi.

“I will try to protect my lead for tomorrow’s Stage 1 challenge. The humidity and weather won’t be easy for anyone,” he said.

For the Women Open winner Eva Lechner from Team Colnago Sudtirol who clocked 5:51.272, the official result at the end caught her by surprise.

“I thought I was the third fastest after I learned my teammate Nathalie (Schneitter) clocked better time than me. But later, when the official result came out, I am so happy,” said the Italian lass who is considered among the favourites to challenge for the women’s title.

However, Eva considered the track and humidity condition could propel her in LIMBC.

“I think I am doing well and I feel good. I just need to maintain my pace and work out good strategy since I have my respect for my teammate Nathalie and other competitors,” said Lechner.

Malaysia’s best result for today came from Masziyaton Mohd Radzi at 10^th place clocking 7:04.334 in Women Open and Anuar Manan who only to manage with a time of 5:54.24, clinching 17^th place out of 74 competitors in Men Open respectively.

Tomorrow’s LIMBC Stage 1 would see the riders to compete in a gruelling 65km track around the legendary island, starting and finishing at Lagenda Park.

Stage 2 is a 45km race from East to West Langkawi starting from Lagenda Park, followed by a gruelling Stage 3, the 60km Langkawi Marathon.  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.

Tradewinds Corporation  and Yayasan Sime Darby are co-sponsors as Platinum Partners for LIMBC 2012. Silver sponsors are Telekom Malaysia, Berjaya Corporation Berhad,  Maju Group and Proton Holdings Berhad.  Bronze partners are AmBank Group and ALM Group Sdn Bhd. The event is supported by the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA).