The Rabobank-Giant triumphed after battling the challenging 42km course from East to West of Langkawi by finishing ahead of defending champion Karl Platt from Team Bulls and his teammate Emil Lindgren of Rabobank-Giant.
Giger who was fifth in the UCI World Championship XCO in Saalfelden last month, finished the race in 2hrs 10:14.43mins after battling the 5km steep terrain.
“It was a very tough course with the heat, rain and all. It is 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.
Platt came in second, just 15.130 seconds behind Giger. But he remains optimistic of his chances.
“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, 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 finishers today were Masziyaton Mohd Radzi by finishing 10 th 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.
For tomorrow’s Stage 3 Langkawi Marathon, the race course is expected to test the mettle and endurance of the riders. Due to weather condition, the Marathon is set to be 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.
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).
Results
Open Men
1. Fabian Giger (Sui) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 2:10:14
2. Karl Platt (Ger) Team Bulls 0:00:15
3. Emil Lindgren (Swe) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 0:03:57
4. Max Knox (RSA) Team Specialized 0:04:12
5. Kristian Hynek (Cze) Ceska Sporitelna Specialized 0:05:47
6. Todd Wells (USA) Team Specialized 0:05:56
7. Karl Markt (Aut) Feltz – O – Bionic 0:07:32
8. Florian Vogel (Sui) Scott Swisspower 0:11:01
9. Leisling Matthias (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:11:33
10. Marx Torsten (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:11:59
11. Burry Stander (RSA) Team Specialized 0:13:01
12. Na Sanghoon (Kor) Korea 0:19:19
13. Steffen Thum (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 0:24:01
14. Pangerl Philipp (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:27:37
15. Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 0:29:32
16. Robert James Wardell (Gbr) Alpine Bikes Racing 0:32:43
17. Hendrik Jaap Moorlag* (Ned) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 0:33:25
18. Muhammad Raihaan Bin Abd Azbrunei (Bru) 0:43:19
19. Yoo Bumjin (Kor) Korea 0:45:05
20. Saiful Khohar Bin Abd Halim (Mas) Endurace Team 1 0:45:28
21. Mohd Razif Salleh (Mas) Chiru Endurance 0:47:58
22. Surasuk Taweesman (Tha) Chiru Endurance 0:51:00
23. Simon Gegenheimer (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 0:51:49
24. Surachet Singjui (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 0:54:33
25. Muhammad Nurjamri Bin Joha Brunei (Bru) 0:55:40
26. Roger Walder* (Sui) Scott Swisspower 0:56:20
27. Terasak Boonchuay (Tha) Chiru Endurance 1:00:37
28. Muhamad Emir Shafiq Zainal (Mas) Aamaniz Cycling 1:01:21
29. Suhardi Bin Hasan (Mas) Lapierre KT 1:05:03
30. Muhammad Hazwan Bin Azmen (Mas) Orbea Malaysia 1:08:58
31. Kwon Soonwoo* (Kor) Korea 1:09:24
32. Junaidi Hashim (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 1:09:55
33. Riccardo Ridolfi* (Ita) Scott Rc New Limits 1:13:33
34. Mohd Shahrul Nizam Bin Che Pbatm (Mas) 1:15:28
35. Wilson Low Wei Cheng (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 1:17:09
36. Mohamad Zul Ashraf Bin Zamlkedah (Mas) SBS Giant 1:21:57
37. Lim Yew Meng (Mas) Chiru Endurance 1:24:02
38. Zamzi Muhamad (Mas) Arus 1:24:26
39. Kuhuzairi B Abdul Bakar* (Mas) Scott Malaysia 1:29:58
40. Shamsul Firdaus Bin Shahida Pahang (Mas) 1:38:24
41. Mohd Shawal Bin Mohd (Mas) Shafeavanti Team 1:41:28
42. Mohamad Khaniz Bin Omar (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 1:43:29
43. Muhammad Shaid Abdul (Mas) Samadendurace Team 2 1:44:44
44. Nor Azlan Bin Zolkefli (Mas) Scott Malaysia 1:44:46
45. Shaiful Ahmad (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 1:48:53
46. Mohd Nor Rizuan Bin Zainal (Mas) PBATM 1:49:12
47. Lim Chin Hong * (Mas) Lapierre KT 1:50:33
48. Lau Cze Kuang (Mas) 1:53:30
49. Mohd Arif Bin Che Awang (Mas) Chiru WTB 1:54:09
50. Michael John Williams (Aus) 2:04:27
51. Mohamad Syafiq Abidin (Mas) Langkawi Cycling Team 2:07:27
52. Richard Ben Hendy (Aus) 2:07:38
53. Ivan Tay Chin Seng* (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 2:11:06
54. Wan Mohammed Najmee Wan (Mas) Mlapierre KT 2:15:47
55. Sulheilmy Ahmad Isa (Mas) Recovery 2:17:14
56. Khairul Amin Ahmad Riozuan (Mas) Kedah 2:48:33
57. Chan Weng Leong (Mas) Scott Malaysia 2:58:02
58. Muhamad Suhaimi Abdul (Mas) Scott Malaysia 3:03:02
59. Julian Kaub (Mas)
DNF Mohammad Nurhaimin Bin Awabrunei (Bru)
DNF Mohamad Faris Abdul Razak (Mas) Kedah/PDRM
DNF Quah Ooi Ken (Mas) Scott Malaysia
DNS Mohd Radzi Mohamad Ayub (Mas) Kedah SBS Giant
DNS Abdol Malik Mohd Shafari (Mas) Kedah SBS Giant
DNS Florian Willbold (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion
DNS Manan Anuar (Mas) Kedah SBS Giant
DNS Mohd Faizal Md Pilus (Mas) Ambank
DNS Michael Sahari (Mas) Ambank
DNS Abdul Kadir Bin Abas (Mas)
Open Women
1. Lea Davison (USA) Team Specialized 2:44:02
2. Elisabeth Sveum (Nor) Norway 0:04:19
3. Janka Stevkova (Svk) Slovakia 0:10:11
4. Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Otztal X-Bionic 0:17:09
5. Nathalie Schneitter (Sui) Colnago Sudtirol 0:19:13
6. Julia Innerhofer* (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 0:33:45
7. Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 0:35:43
8. Cherise Stander (RSA) Momentum Toyota 0:41:00
9. Jenni King (Aus) Anytime Fitness / Trek 0:44:34
10. Masziyaton Binti Mohd Radzi (Mas) Kedah SBS Giant 0:45:31
11. Junaidah Juss (Mas) Arus 1:14:05
12. Nurul Suhada Bt Zainal* (Mas) Terengganu 1:26:59
13. Noor Fadilah Saiedin* (Mas) Arus 1:34:40
14. Melanie Leveau (Fra) Hora Du Bush 1:38:44
15. Adinya Sai Samorn (Tha) Chiru Endurace 1:49:17
16. Siti Fatimah Binti Ismail* (Mas) Kedah 2:09:58
17. Ain Nurul Huda Rusli (Mas) Chiru Endurace 2:12:11
DNF Sharina Binti Shafei* (Mas) Langkawi
DNS Laura Liong (Sin)
Master Men
1. Nicholas Craig (Gbr) Scott UK 2:31:49
2. Marzio Deho (Ita) Cicli Olympia 0:04:45
3. Anthony White (Gbr) Cannondale Mt Zoom Racing 0:27:42
4. Prasert Chitmart (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 0:43:21
5. Vanni Balboni (Ita) Green Devils Team 0:59:21
6. Gregory John Dick (Nzl) Malborough Mountainbike Clu 1:00:01
7. Zhen Feng (USA) Volt Racing 1:05:20
8. Takuma Dan (Jpn) Club 3719 1:08:48
9. Lance Andwew Portman (Aus) Asphar Surveying 1:09:59
10. Yuttana Chukaew (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 1:31:55
11. Muhamad Razli Ibrahim (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 1:32:58
12. Loh Ching Soo (Mas) Singapore Five-O 1:37:13
13. Robert Rowe (Aus) 1:37:45
14. Mohamad Yusof Ilah (Mas) Chiru Endurace 2:04:31
15. Azman Bin Mohd Nor (Mas) Chiru Endurace 2:50:17
16. Kenneth Koh (Sin) 3:04:24
17. Ridzuan Bin Abd Rahim (Mas) DTM
DNS Andy Tiong Telk Mewg (Mas) Langkawi
DNS Mohd Sahak Bin Zaiwi (Mas) DTM
DNS Azman Bin Abu Hassan (Mas)
Senior Master Men
1. Hartmut Hofmann (Ger) 3:41:20
2. John Ray Funk (Can) Deadgoat Racing 0:14:17
3. Abdul Razak Kamis (Mas) Kedah 0:35:34
4. Kwan Kah Yong (Mas) Scott Malaysia 1:00:15
5. Chua Tuan Muar (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 1:03:26
6. Charles H.B Stander (RSA) Concept Cyclery Specialised 1:05:55
7. Che Mansor B Kamis (Mas) 1:24:20
8. Zamani Supartin (Mas) Le Tua 1:37:45
9. Frank D Viermann (Ger) P.Pinang 1:42:45
10. Farizul Latif Zulkipli (Mas) Scott Malaysia 1:47:45
GC after Stage 2
Open Men
1. Fabian Giger (Sui) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 4:38:45
2. Karl Platt (Ger) Team Bulls 0:02:06
3. Kristian Hynek (Cze) Ceska Sporitelna Specialized 0:06:17
4. Emil Lindgren (Swe) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 0:06:50
5. Max Knox (RSA) Team Specialized 0:09:34
6. Todd Wells (USA) Team Specialized 0:14:28
7. Leisling Matthias (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:18:49
8. Marx Torsten (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:21:07
9. Burry Stander (RSA) Team Specialized 0:21:53
10. Florian Vogel (Sui) Scott Swisspower 0:22:00
11. Karl Markt (Aut) Feltz – O – Bionic 0:22:01
12. Na Sanghoon (Kor) Korea 0:39:54
13. Hendrik Jaap Moorlag* (Ned) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 0:40:39
14. Steffen Thum (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 0:43:30
15. Pangerl Philipp (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:49:43
16. Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 0:50:02
17. Robert James Wardell (Gbr) Alpine Bikes Racing 1:04:52
18. Yoo Bumjin (Kor) Korea 1:12:58
19. Mohd Razif Salleh (Mas) Chiru Endurance 1:14:52
20. Saiful Khohar Bin Abd Halim (Mas) Endurace Team 1 1:27:16
21. Surasuk Taweesman (Tha) Chiru Endurance 1:32:18
22. Simon Gegenheimer (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 1:34:33
23. Terasak Boonchuay (Tha) Chiru Endurance 1:47:41
24. Muhamad Emir Shafiq Zainal (Mas) Aamaniz Cycling 1:49:46
25. Kwon Soonwoo* (Kor) Korea 1:50:03
26. Surachet Singjui (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 1:52:26
27. Riccardo Ridolfi* (Ita) Scott Rc New Limits 1:56:59
28. Muhammad Hazwan Bin Azmen (Mas) Orbea Malaysia 1:59:28
29. Mohamad Zul Ashraf Bin Zamlkedah (Mas) SBS Giant 2:03:39
30. Mohd Shahrul Nizam Bin Che Pbatm (Mas) 2:04:09
31. Lim Yew Meng (Mas) Chiru Endurance 2:08:14
32. Roger Walder* (Sui) Scott Swisspower 2:09:05
33. Junaidi Hashim (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 2:11:22
34. Muhammad Nurjamri Bin Joha Brunei (Bru) 2:14:39
35. Zamzi Muhamad (Mas) Arus 2:16:08
36. Wilson Low Wei Cheng (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 2:27:51
37. Suhardi Bin Hasan (Mas) Lapierre KT 2:28:28
38. Kuhuzairi B Abdul Bakar* (Mas) Scott Malaysia 2:43:27
39. Mohamad Khaniz Bin Omar (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 2:45:26
40. Nor Azlan Bin Zolkefli (Mas) Scott Malaysia 2:46:21
41. Mohd Nor Rizuan Bin Zainal (Mas) PBATM 2:47:18
42. Shamsul Firdaus Bin Shahida Pahang (Mas) 2:58:52
43. Mohd Arif Bin Che Awang (Mas) Chiru WTB 3:00:03
44. Mohd Shawal Bin Mohd (Mas) Shafeavanti Team 3:01:00
45. Shaiful Ahmad (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 3:01:56
46. Lau Cze Kuang (Mas) 3:02:26
47. Muhammad Raihaan Bin Abd Azbrunei (Bru) 3:07:16
48. Muhammad Shaid Abdul (Mas) Samadendurace Team 2 3:13:40
49. Lim Chin Hong * (Mas) Lapierre KT 3:16:43
50. Michael John Williams (Aus) 3:22:09
51. Ivan Tay Chin Seng* (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 3:29:37
52. Richard Ben Hendy (Aus) 3:29:50
53. Wan Mohammed Najmee Wan (Mas) Mlapierre KT 3:39:21
54. Mohamad Syafiq Abidin (Mas) Langkawi Cycling Team 3:59:34
55. Sulheilmy Ahmad Isa (Mas) Recovery 4:08:00
56. Muhamad Suhaimi Abdul (Mas) Scott Malaysia 4:29:45
57. Julian Kaub (Mas) 5:07:36
58. Khairul Amin Ahmad Riozuan (Mas) Kedah 5:10:21
59. Chan Weng Leong (Mas) Scott Malaysia 5:14:26
Open Women
1. Lea Davison (USA) Team Specialized 5:51:14
2. Elisabeth Sveum (Nor) Norway 0:06:41
3. Janka Stevkova (Svk) Slovakia 0:10:45
4. Nathalie Schneitter (Sui) Colnago Sudtirol 0:19:29
5. Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Otztal X-Bionic 0:23:25
6. Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 0:36:27
7. Julia Innerhofer* (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 0:45:07
8. Cherise Stander (RSA) Momentum Toyota 0:56:47
9. Jenni King (Aus) Anytime Fitness / Trek 1:02:58
10. Masziyaton Binti Mohd Radzi (Mas) Kedah SBS Giant 1:06:26
11. Junaidah Juss (Mas) Arus 1:47:53
12. Nurul Suhada Bt Zainal* (Mas) Terengganu 2:22:49
13. Melanie Leveau (Fra) Hora Du Bush 2:23:34
14. Noor Fadilah Saiedin* (Mas) Arus 2:31:01
15. Adinya Sai Samorn (Tha) Chiru Endurace 3:12:23
16. Siti Fatimah Binti Ismail* (Mas) Kedah 3:30:02
17. Ain Nurul Huda Rusli (Mas) Chiru Endurace 3:50:09
Master Men
1. Nicholas Craig (Gbr) Scott UK 5:19:28
2. Marzio Deho (Ita) Cicli Olympia 0:02:20
3. Anthony White (Gbr) Cannondale Mt Zoom Racing 0:46:57
4. Prasert Chitmart (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 1:09:53
5. Vanni Balboni (Ita) Green Devils Team 1:28:45
6. Gregory John Dick (Nzl) Malborough Mountainbike Clu 1:46:03
7. Zhen Feng (USA) Volt Racing 1:46:10
8. Lance Andwew Portman (Aus) Asphar Surveying 1:58:55
9. Takuma Dan (Jpn) Club 3719 2:00:34
10. Loh Ching Soo (Mas) Singapore Five-O 2:26:56
11. Yuttana Chukaew (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 2:29:41
12. Robert Rowe (Aus) 2:44:03
13. Muhamad Razli Ibrahim (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 2:52:04
14. Mohamad Yusof Ilah (Mas) Chiru Endurace 3:39:15
15. Azman Bin Mohd Nor (Mas) Chiru Endurace 4:44:47
16. Kenneth Koh (Sin) 5:03:12
17. Ridzuan Bin Abd Rahim (Mas) DTM 5:04:05
Senior Master Men
1. Hartmut Hofmann (Ger) 7:23:03
2. John Ray Funk (Can) Deadgoat Racing 0:13:30
3. Abdul Razak Kamis (Mas) Kedah 1:01:10
4. Charles H.B Stander (RSA) Concept Cyclery Specialised 1:14:08
5. Kwan Kah Yong (Mas) Scott Malaysia 1:40:58
6. Chua Tuan Muar (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 1:41:07
7. Zamani Supartin (Mas) Le Tua 2:34:51
8. Frank D Viermann (Ger) P.Pinang 3:10:56
9. Che Mansor B Kamis (Mas) 3:21:30
10. Farizul Latif Zulkipli (Mas) Scott Malaysia 3:28:05