October 20, 2012 (Langkawi, Malaysia) – Fabian Giger and Lea Davison have officially conquered the third edition of Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC) after executing a well-thought strategy at the penultimate stage of the race today.

Giger and Davison paced themselves well in their respective category as both cemented their healthy lead to wrest the challenge trophy at Pantai Kok Short Circuit.

The Swiss Ace from Rabobank-Giant triumphed by staying close to the leading pack by finishing sixth in the sprint finish dubbed as “The Beach Sprint” as the race was won by defending champion Karl Platt from Team Bulls with Florian Vogel of Scott Swisspower and Burry Stander from Team Specialized joining the podium stage in second and third place respectively.

Nevertheless, it was enough for Giger to secure the overall leader as the yellow jersey holder a comfortable lead of 6.18 seconds into the final stage.

“I knew I have a good lead before the race today so I just need to stay close to the leading pack. This is a memorable win for me. It is a quite tough throughout in the overall race in Langkawi considering the heat, humidity, rain, deep trail, slippery tracks and all. But now I am super-happy of winning it today,” said the World Cup fifth-placed rider.

In the Women’s Open, Davison with time advantage of nine-minute and 21 seconds, finished in the second place as the pink jersey rider was alone upfront against team tactics by finishing second behind Eva Lechner from Colnado-Sudtirol and her teammates defending champion Nathalie Schneitter in third.

After scaling the hilly terrains and engaging in small battles against mud, insects and leeches all week, the 29-year-old American girl was ecstatic after the race by running to the beach and dived into the water.

“I am so pleased to be on the podium and to win the title. The whole race was hard but fun and I have to compliment the organizer for the good organization and allowing the riders to enjoy the waterfall and majestic stretch along the stream and beaches.

“I have quite strong lead before Stage 5 today. Well, the second place was the ideal way to end the race. To win this race in Asia for the first time, it is really a treat,” said Davison, who made the decision to enter LIMBC 2012 after the London Olympics.

Malaysia’s best finishes overall was Abdul Razak Kamis with a third-placed placing in the Senior Men’s Master while Masziyaton Mohd Radzi clinched ninth position in the Women’s Open. Nevertheless, Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi managed a respectable outing against world class rider in the Men’s Open by finishing in 15th position.

Tradewinds Corporation and Yayasan Sime Darby are the 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).

Full Results

1. Karl Platt (Ger) Team Bulls 0:31:46
2. Florian Vogel (Sui) Scott Swisspower
3. Burry Stander (RSA) Team Specialized
4. Kristian Hynek (Cze) Ceska Sporitelna Specialized
5. Emil Lindgren (Swe) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team
6. Fabian Giger (Sui) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team
7. Hendrik Jaap Moorlag* (Ned) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 0:00:11
8. Max Knox (RSA) Team Specialized 0:01:02
9. Todd Wells (USA) Team Specialized
10. Leisling Matthias (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:01:30
11. Karl Markt (Aut) Feltz-O-Bionic
12. Marx Torsten (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:01:42
13. Pangerl Philipp (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:03:02
14. Robert James Wardell (Gbr) Alpine Bikes Racing
15. Steffen Thum (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 0:03:11
16. Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 0:03:20
17. Muhammad Raihaan Bin Abd Azbrunei (Bru) 0:05:20
18. Simon Gegenheimer (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 0:07:20
19. Na Sanghoon (Kor) Korea
20. Mohd Shahrul Nizam Bin Che Pbatm (Mas) 0:09:20
21. Saiful Khohar Bin Abd Halim (Mas) Endurace Team 1
22. Mohamad Khaniz Bin Omar (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation
23. Wan Mohammed Najmee Wan (Mas) Mlapierre KT
24. Riccardo Ridolfi* (Ita) Scott Rc New Limits
25. Shaiful Ahmad (Mas) Amaniz Cycling
26. Surachet Singjui (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy
27. Suhardi Bin Hasan (Mas) Lapierre KT 0:11:20
28. Muhamad Emir Shafiq Zainal (Mas) Aamaniz Cycling
29. Muhammad Nurjamri Bin Joha Brunei (Bru)
30. Michael John Williams (Aus)
31. Surasuk Taweesman (Tha) Chiru Endurance
32. Junaidi Hashim (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation
33. Wilson Low Wei Cheng (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation
34. Richard Ben Hendy (Aus)
35. Mohamad Zul Ashraf Bin Zamlkedah (Mas) SBS Giant
36. Muhammad Hazwan Bin Azmen (Mas) Orbea Malaysia
37. Nor Azlan Bin Zolkefli (Mas) Scott Malaysia
38. Mohd Arif Bin Che Awang (Mas) Chiru WTB
39. Muhammad Shaid Abdul (Mas) Samadendurace Team 2 0:13:20
40. Lau Cze Kuang (Mas)
41. Terasak Boonchuay (Tha) Chiru Endurance
42. Julian Kaub (Mas)
43. Lim Chin Hong * (Mas) Lapierre KT
44. Shamsul Firdaus Bin Shahida Pahang (Mas)
45. Ivan Tay Chin Seng* (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation
46. Mohamad Syafiq Abidin (Mas) Langkawi Cycling Team
47. Zamzi Muhamad (Mas) Arus 0:15:20
48. Mohd Shawal Bin Mohd (Mas) Shafeavanti Team
49. Sulheilmy Ahmad Isa (Mas) Recovery
50. Khairul Amin Ahmad Riozuan (Mas) Kedah 0:17:20
DNS Muhamad Suhaimi Abdul (Mas) Scott Malaysia

Women
1. Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 0:30:44
2. Lea Davison (USA) Team Specialized 0:00:14
3. Nathalie Schneitter (Sui) Colnago Sudtirol
4. Janka Stevkova (Svk) Slovakia 0:00:42
5. Elisabeth Sveum (Nor) Norway 0:00:55
6. Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Otztal X-Bionic 0:01:15
7. Julia Innerhofer* (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 0:02:44
8. Jenni King (Aus) Anytime Fitness / Trek 0:02:55
9. Melanie Leveau (Fra) Hora Du Bush 0:04:55
10. Masziyaton Binti Mohd Radzi (Mas) Kedah SBS Giant
11. Junaidah Juss (Mas) Arus 0:06:55
12. Nurul Suhada Bt Zainal* (Mas) Terengganu 0:08:55
13. Siti Fatimah Binti Ismail* (Mas) Kedah
14. Ain Nurul Huda Rusli (Mas) Chiru Endurace
15. Noor Fadilah Saiedin* (Mas) Arus 0:10:55
16. Adinya Sai Samorn (Tha) Chiru Endurace

Master Men
1. Marzio Deho (Ita) Cicli Olympia 0:29:11
2. Nicholas Craig (Gbr) Scott UK 0:00:03
3. Vanni Balboni (Ita) Green Devils Team 0:01:20
4. Anthony White (Gbr) Cannondale Mt Zoom Racing 0:03:03
5. Prasert Chitmart (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 0:05:03
6. Robert Rowe (Aus) 0:07:03
7. Lance Andwew Portman (Aus) Asphar Surveying
8. Gregory John Dick (Nzl) Malborough Mountainbike Clu
9. Takuma Dan (Jpn) Club 3719 0:09:03
10. Loh Ching Soo (Mas) Singapore Five-O 0:11:03
11. Muhamad Razli Ibrahim (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 0:13:03
12. Mohamad Yusof Ilah (Mas) Chiru Endurace
13. Azman Bin Mohd Nor (Mas) Chiru Endurace
14. Ridzuan Bin Abd Rahim (Mas) DTM 0:15:03

Senior Master Men
1. John Ray Funk (Can) Deadgoat Racing 0:30:19
2. Hartmut Hofmann (Ger) 0:00:50
3. Zamani Supartin (Mas) Le Tua 0:00:50
4. Charles H.B Stander (RSA) Concept Cyclery Specialised 0:02:37
5. Chua Tuan Muar (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 0:03:57
6. Abdul Razak Kamis (Mas) Kedah 0:04:09
7. Frank D Viermann (Ger) P.Pinang 0:04:35
8. Kwan Kah Yong (Mas) Scott Malaysia 0:08:35
9. Che Mansor B Kamis (Mas) 0:10:35
10. Farizul Latif Zulkipli (Mas) Scott Malaysia 0:12:35

GC after Stage 5

Men
1. Fabian Giger (Sui) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 10:40:05
2. Kristian Hynek (Cze) Ceska Sporitelna Specialized 0:06:18
3. Karl Platt (Ger) Team Bulls 0:12:21
4. Emil Lindgren (Swe) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 0:14:06
5. Max Knox (RSA) Team Specialized 0:23:43
6. Leisling Matthias (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:36:24
7. Marx Torsten (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 0:38:28
8. Karl Markt (Aut) Feltz-O-Bionic 0:42:10
9. Burry Stander (RSA) Team Specialized 0:43:49
10. Todd Wells (USA) Team Specialized 0:45:52
11. Florian Vogel (Sui) Scott Swisspower 0:51:57
12. Na Sanghoon (Kor) Korea 1:41:08
13. Steffen Thum (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 1:43:24
14. Pangerl Philipp (Ger) Black Tusk Racing By Tomotion 1:44:55
15. Mohd Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 2:04:05
16. Robert James Wardell (Gbr) Alpine Bikes Racing 2:15:06
17. Hendrik Jaap Moorlag* (Ned) Rabobank-Giant Offroad Team 2:22:14
18. Simon Gegenheimer (Ger) Ultra Sports Racing 3:09:48
19. Saiful Khohar Bin Abd Halim (Mas) Endurace Team 1 3:29:01
20. Terasak Boonchuay (Tha) Chiru Endurance 3:32:34
21. Muhamad Emir Shafiq Zainal (Mas) Aamaniz Cycling 3:34:56
22. Surasuk Taweesman (Tha) Chiru Endurance 3:41:03
23. Surachet Singjui (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 4:04:11
24. Riccardo Ridolfi* (Ita) Scott Rc New Limits 4:05:44
25. Muhammad Hazwan Bin Azmen (Mas) Orbea Malaysia 4:08:13
26. Mohd Shahrul Nizam Bin Che Pbatm (Mas) 4:10:54
27. Mohamad Zul Ashraf Bin Zamlkedah (Mas) SBS Giant 4:12:24
28. Junaidi Hashim (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 4:23:07
29. Muhammad Nurjamri Bin Joha Brunei (Bru) 4:23:24
30. Zamzi Muhamad (Mas) Arus 4:33:53
31. Suhardi Bin Hasan (Mas) Lapierre KT 4:37:14
32. Wilson Low Wei Cheng (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 4:38:36
33. Nor Azlan Bin Zolkefli (Mas) Scott Malaysia 4:57:06
34. Mohamad Khaniz Bin Omar (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 4:57:11
35. Muhammad Raihaan Bin Abd Azbrunei (Bru) 5:08:01
36. Mohd Arif Bin Che Awang (Mas) Chiru WTB 5:10:48
37. Shaiful Ahmad (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 5:12:41
38. Mohd Shawal Bin Mohd (Mas) Shafeavanti Team 5:13:45
39. Shamsul Firdaus Bin Shahida Pahang (Mas) 5:16:37
40. Lau Cze Kuang (Mas) 5:20:11
41. Muhammad Shaid Abdul (Mas) Samadendurace Team 2 5:26:25
42. Lim Chin Hong * (Mas) Lapierre KT 5:29:28
43. Michael John Williams (Aus) 5:37:54
44. Richard Ben Hendy (Aus) 5:45:35
45. Ivan Tay Chin Seng* (Sin) Singapore Cycling Federation 5:47:22
46. Wan Mohammed Najmee Wan (Mas) Mlapierre KT 5:51:06
47. Mohamad Syafiq Abidin (Mas) Langkawi Cycling Team 6:12:19
48. Sulheilmy Ahmad Isa (Mas) Recovery 6:27:45
49. Julian Kaub (Mas) 7:25:21
50. Khairul Amin Ahmad Riozuan (Mas) Kedah 7:32:06

Women
1. Lea Davison (USA) Team Specialized 11:05:04
2. Elisabeth Sveum (Nor) Norway 0:10:02
3. Janka Stevkova (Svk) Slovakia 0:14:40
4. Nathalie Schneitter (Sui) Colnago Sudtirol 0:19:10
5. Eva Lechner (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 0:32:30
6. Blaza Klemencic (Slo) Felt Otztal X-Bionic 0:48:10
7. Julia Innerhofer* (Ita) Colnago Sudtirol 1:17:03
8. Jenni King (Aus) Anytime Fitness / Trek 1:37:31
9. Masziyaton Binti Mohd Radzi (Mas) Kedah SBS Giant 2:12:53
10. Junaidah Juss (Mas) Arus 3:13:09
11. Noor Fadilah Saiedin* (Mas) Arus 4:24:24
12. Adinya Sai Samorn (Tha) Chiru Endurace 5:16:29
13. Nurul Suhada Bt Zainal* (Mas) Terengganu 5:18:05
14. Melanie Leveau (Fra) Hora Du Bush 5:19:50
15. Siti Fatimah Binti Ismail* (Mas) Kedah 6:03:51
16. Ain Nurul Huda Rusli (Mas) Chiru Endurace 6:54:25

Master Men
1. Nicholas Craig (Gbr) Scott UK 9:50:06
2. Marzio Deho (Ita) Cicli Olympia 0:08:10
3. Anthony White (Gbr) Cannondale Mt Zoom Racing 1:28:06
4. Prasert Chitmart (Tha) Endurace Phuket Beach Boy 2:11:30
5. Vanni Balboni (Ita) Green Devils Team 2:41:39
6. Gregory John Dick (Nzl) Malborough Mountainbike Clu 2:57:50
7. Takuma Dan (Jpn) Club 3719 3:23:33
8. Lance Andwew Portman (Aus) Asphar Surveying 3:37:39
9. Loh Ching Soo (Mas) Singapore Five-O 4:11:35
10. Robert Rowe (Aus) 5:07:48
11. Muhamad Razli Ibrahim (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 5:10:32
12. Mohamad Yusof Ilah (Mas) Chiru Endurace 5:57:44
13. Azman Bin Mohd Nor (Mas) Chiru Endurace 7:21:32
14. Ridzuan Bin Abd Rahim (Mas) DTM 7:42:50

Senior Master Men
1. Hartmut Hofmann (Ger) 13:07:21
2. John Ray Funk (Can) Deadgoat Racing 0:14:57
3. Abdul Razak Kamis (Mas) Kedah 1:35:41
4. Charles H.B Stander (RSA) Concept Cyclery Specialised 2:15:09
5. Chua Tuan Muar (Mas) Amaniz Cycling 2:27:40
6. Kwan Kah Yong (Mas) Scott Malaysia 3:02:35
7. Zamani Supartin (Mas) Le Tua 3:19:48
8. Frank D Viermann (Ger) P.Pinang 5:26:30
9. Che Mansor B Kamis (Mas) 5:41:20
10. Farizul Latif Zulkipli (Mas) Scott Malaysia 5:44:37