Rapid ascent for LIMBC

Tun Dr Mahathir with Malik (centre) and Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi and Masziyaton Radzi

KUALA LUMPUR (June 21, 2012): The Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge (LIMBC) appears to be sprinting up the ranks in terms of its status in only the third year of its existence.

The 2012 edition, scheduled for Oct 15-20, has been selected as one of only ten mountain bike stage races worldwide to be included on the international calendar issued by cycling’s world governing body, the UCI.

As a result, LIMBC now carries the status of being a Class 2 cross country stage race (XCS) with world ranking points awarded to the top 25 highest placed overall finishers.

This was revealed at the launch officiated by LIMBC honorary patron, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, here today. Also present was race organizer and Human Voyage Sdn Bhd chief executive, Datuk Malik Mydin.

The course will take the participants to the best and most scenic places Langkawi can offer – treasured landmarks and beauty spots including Eagle Square, Telaga Harbour, Oriental Village, Langkawi GeoPark and a stunning beach finale at Pantai Kok.

Tun Dr Mahathir said a successful LIMBC 2012 would strengthen Langkawi’s current bid to host one round of the annual UCI MTB Marathon Series in 2013 and the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships in 2015.

Tun Dr Mahathir also said that “These events represent the pinnacle of mountain biking competition and bring with them considerable foreign spectator support, international media interest and television coverage. This is where LIMBC can play a valuable role in developing tourism."

This year’s LIMBC will flag off on Monday Oct 15 with a prologue individual time trial of 2.3km around Eagle Square and Lagenda Park, followed by Stage 1, a 65km round the island race. Stage 2 is a 45km race from East to West Langkawi, followed by the events ‘Queen Stage’, the gruelling 90km Langkawi Marathon. Stage 4 is an Olympic distance Cross Country race around Langkawi GeoPark followed by Stage 5, a stunning beachfront finale around a fast short circuit at Pantai Kok.


In 2011, Germany’s Karl Platt and Switzerland’s Nathalie Schneitter clinched the overall victory in the men’s elite and women’s elite categories, respectively. Registration is accepted either via online registration at www.mtbmalaysia.com 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. Log on to www.mtbmalaysia.com for further details.

Tun Dr Mahathir with winners of the media contest last year - Zaini Husin of Utusan Malaysia (for best published photograph) and Fadhli Ishak of New Straits Times (best published article).

Post script:

Tun Dr Mahathir was at his sarcastic best. In his speech, he fired a broadside at organisers of Le Tour de Langkawi. He said Langkawi was his favourite island, having fallen in love with it since he was transferred to the legendary island as the State surgeon in 1956.


"They called us State surgeons but we did perform surgeries...dominions of the British Empire are called Commonwealth countries but the wealth is not common...they called our Sultans the Malay rulers but they never ruled, we were ruled by advisers...so we should not be surprised that the Tour de Langkawi is not held in Langkawi...that is why we came up with another cycling event in Langkawi, I hope it does not get hijacked...


"We hope the Press remains friendly to us and help promote the event. As you know, I breed horses in Langkawi...if you come during the event, you can perhaps visit my farm, I plan to breed cattle from Argentina, buffaloes from India...and visit my kedai roti, the Loaf."