UCI Marathon World Series descends upon Langkawi | LIMBC Malaysia 2014

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 24, 2013): A new chapter in Malaysia’s mountain bike scene is set to unfold on Saturday as the quaint Oriental Village at the foothills of Mount Machincang in Langkawi prepares to welcome the world’s top riders for the prestigious UCI MTB Marathon World Series.

With the Langkawi Cable Car – arguably the best and must-visit tourist attraction in the country – serving as the backdrop to the race, the world’s top riders are not only eyeing a ticket to the UCI MTB Marathon World Championship in Pietermaritzburg next June but also prime themselves for the six-day Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC) starting two days later.

For the first time ever, Langkawi is part of the 2013-2014 UCI World Marathon Series which also serve as qualifying legs for the World Championship.

Other legs include Villabassa (Italy), Sietterstrand (Denmark), Ucka (Croatia), Graz (Austria), Verbier (Switzerland), Jurmala (Latvia), Val Di Fassa (Italy), Obwalden (Switzerland), Ornans (France), Frejus (France) and Punchuncavi (Chile).

Leading the cast descending upon Langkawi is German duo, long-distance specialist Steffen Thum and sprinter Simon Gegenheimer of Ultra Rose Racing team.

Thum who saw action in LIMBC 2012, leads the World Series men’s elite, having placed himself among the leaders throughout the various qualifying legs, namely seventh in Ucka, Croatia and again seventh in Graz, Austria and 11th in Jurmala, Latvia.

Also registered for Saturday’s race are 2007 UCI World Cup winner Thomas Dietsch of France and his compatriots – World No 8, Maxime Marotte and Stephane Tempier who finished 11th at the London Olympic Games and was ninth at cross country Worlds.

Marotte, a regular top 10 contender in the UCI World Cup, was 13th overall and part of the French national team which won the silver medal in the team relay at Worlds in Saalfelden, Austria. He was fourth in the UCI MTB World Championship elite men’s cross country in Pietermaritzburg, in August.

Conspicuous by his absence is Swiss ace and World No 7 in cross country, Fabian Giger, who has opted to skip the race in order to focus on defending his Men’s Open LIMBC title he won in fine fashion last year.

A number of national teams have confirmed participation, namely Nepal, Indonesia, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, New Zealand and Iran.

In the elite women’s category, Slovenia’s Olympian Blaza Klemencic, Germany’s No 2 Adelhaid Morath, Norway’s Elisabeth Sveum and Orange Monkey Pro Team’s Mariske Strauss are tipped to earn valuable points for the worlds.

Twenty riders from Langkawi and other legs and the top 50 riders on the overall general classification automatically qualify for Pietermaritzburg. The individual general marathon series ranking is drawn up on the basis of the points won by each rider. Top 40 men score points from 40 to one point while the top 20 women scores from 20 to one.

Race organiser Datuk Malik Mydin is expecting a lung-bursting, nerve-shredding and dramatic race to act as the precursor to LIMBC.

“We are delighted to be staging one of the qualifying series for the UCI MTB Marathon World Championship.

“This reflects the recognition given by the UCI for our successful staging of the three previous editions of LIMBC.

“Multiple long steep climbs, highly technical sections and twisting descents through dense raw jungle will provide a stiff test even to the best,” said Malik.

Both the UCI MTB Marathon qualifying series and LIMBC are open to national federation riders or professional teams. Participants do not require UCI ranking points to take part.

Langkawi’s two-in-one prestigious mountain bike event is supported by three co-partners - Tradewinds Corporation Berhad, Sime Darby Foundation and Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd.

About Human Voyage

Human Voyage is a leading event management company run by Wira Samudera, Datuk Malik Mydin, the first ever South East Asian to swim across the English Channel. In the true spirit of its chief executive, Human Voyage endeavours on pushing the boundaries of human discovery – whether in organizing events or meeting the needs of a client.

The inaugural LIMBC was a resounding success with almost 1,000 participants making their way to Langkawi, followed by an equally successful second edition in 2011 and the third in 2012.

Issued on behalf of Human Voyage

For media queries, please contact:

Elena Shamsuddin (012-216 1627)

Juliana Shamsuddin (012-306 2728)

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