New Leaders at LIMBC 2012

(LIMBC) 2012 saw new leaders to wear the yellow jersey in the Men’s Open and Women’s Open categories.

World Cup fifth-place Fabian Giger of Rabobank-Giant took the yellow jersey as the first

rider to cross the finishing line of LIMBC Stage 1 at Eagle’s Square today.

The Swiss rider from Team Rabobank-Giant clocked 2:23:07.964 ahead Kristian Hynek of

Ceska Sporitelna Specialized and defending champion Karl Platt from Team Bulls

Fresh from his victory in a Cross Country World Cup test event in Guiyang, China, Giger

used his new XtC Advanced SL 29er bicycle today to win the 65km Langkawi’s Round

Island course.

Billed as one of the challenge’s favourites, he was dominant from the start by controlling

the pace ahead of the leading pack and finished the race with 29.556 seconds advantage for

tomorrow’s Stage 2 duel ahead of Hynek who finished with a rear punctured tyre in the last

3km today.

“I am happy it worked pretty well for me after we have to go through the muddy and

slippery track. Me and my teammates were very much into the lead in the jungle. Now,

my mind is set for tomorrow’s race,” said Giger to the reporters after the prize giving

ceremony.

Asked about his strategy for Stage 2, he said: “I will try my best to keep the yellow jersey.

Tomorrow is another day and I predict it will be a close fight.”

In the Women’s Open, Lea Davidson from Team Specialized clinched the pink jersey after a

close battle with three riders in the final section.

She managed to surge ahead of defending champion Nathalie Schneitter of Colnago Sudtirol

and third-placed Janka Stevkova who had to be satisfied with third placing due to tyre

puncture occurred during the last mile.

Yesterday’s prologue winner, Eva Lechner was also left to lament her bad luck when the

Italian lass suffered a leg cramp during the four-rider battle towards the end.

“It was a close fight. We exchanged position often during the race right from the start. I am

so happy to sprint ahead three of my competitors and it is important for me to win it today.

I would certainly have to ride much better for tomorrow,” said Davidson, who crossed the

line with 3:07:12.385.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s best finishes were Masziyaton Binti Mohd Radzi with 10 th placing in

the Women’s Open and Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi who made a decent outing against world class

competitors by finishing 13th in the Men’s Open.

Tomorrow’s 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).