July 12, 2011 (Kuala Lumpur) – The exhilarating Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge, or simply LIMBC, is back. A prescription for fun and adventure surrounded by nature, the second edition is slated to be held on the mystical island on October 17-23.

Organised by Human Voyage (M) Sdn Bhd and sanctioned by the world cycling body UCI and the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), the five-day race will tempt mountain bike enthusiasts to get back on the bike trail and compete in a protected rainforest area. The tropical landscape challenge guarantees participants an encounter with nature like no other in what is now known as Asia’s ultimate race.

The event, which is officially listed as an international event in the UCI calendar, offers ranking points in the UCI standings for the top 10 finishers. LIMBC 2011 will end with two jamboree rides for social riders of all ages wishing to participate for fun amongst nature, friends and family.

LIMBC – The Tropical Rainforest Challenge 2011 boasts the biggest purse in Asia – with a whopping RM360,000 in cash and lucky draw prizes to be won. Some of the attractive prizes include branded bike equipments and electronic gadgets.

The adventure trail begins with Stage 1 on Oct 18 with the 62km round island race, followed by the cross country Olympic which starts and finishes at Kampung Tok Senik Resort as Stage 2.

Stage 3 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 4, before the event culminates with Stage 5, a cross country short circuit race. The two jamboree rides mark the closing and final day of this much-anticipated race.

Both On-Road and MTB Off-Road Jamboree Ride events are distanced at 40km, with the sole difference that the On-Road Jamboree ride is catered for enthusiasts of road bikes, whereas the Off-Road Jamboree’s trails are designed for mountain bikers wanting more of an off-road adventure.

Human Voyage CEO, Dato’ Abdul Malik Mydin, expects the 2011 edition to be a greater success than the inaugural race.

“As we are aware, mountain biking is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in the world. The LIMBC – Tropical Rainforest Challenge is where adventure meets nature, designed for all mountain bikers to have fun regardless of their status.

“Above all, as an eco-friendly event, LIMBC is the best tool to promote Langkawi as one of Malaysia’s major touristic destinations,” said Abdul Malik.

Abdul Malik expresses his gratitude to Malaysian Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak for agreeing to become the race patron for the second successive year. Former Prime Minister, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is the honorary patron.

Under the backing of the international and continental bodies Union Cycliste International (UCI) and the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), the inaugural race last year was successfully rolled out on 6th – 8th August 2010, where 765 local and 55 international bikers set the event alight.

Winners of their respective categories last year include Lachlan Norris (cross country men’s elite and endurance men’s open), Adrian Lauridsen (cross country men’s junior) and  Emir Shafiq Zainal (endurance junior).

For LIMBC 2011, entry fee for international participants is US$400, which includes race registration fee for stage and jamboree, accommodation, full board meals and return transfer to the airport.

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. A supporters package is also available, intended to allow riders to bring along their supporters to share their LIMBC experience. This package will provide supporters equal benefits as the International rider’s package at the price of US$400 per supporter.

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.

Since LIMBC is listed as an official UCI event, every participant of the stage race is required to obtain an international race license. Foreign riders are to apply for the international race license from their respective national federations. For those who do not have a license, a temporary license valid throughout the event will be issued at an additional cost of RM15 for local participants.

Registration is accepted either via online registration HERE or by sending the completed downloaded registration forms and bank-in reference number of the registration fee to fax number 603-9222 1786 or via email 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.