October 18/11 11:58 am - Langkawi International MTB Challenge: Stage 1, Wallace 12th

Posted by Editoress on 10/18/11
 

Stander, Schneitter live up to top billing

South Africa’s Burry Stander and Swiss rider Nathalie Schneitter lived up to their top billing as they took Stage 1 cross country marathon of their respective categories on Day 1 of the Langkawi International Mountainbike Challenge 2011 today.

In a dramatic tussle to the finish line between two of the top-ranked riders in the peloton, Stander outsprinted Germany’s Karl Platt of Team Bulls to stopped the clock at 2hrs 24mins 20.5s at Langkawi Stadium.

World ranked number 6 Stander, who came accompanied by his father Charles, was ecstatic with the excellent start.

“The first hour of the race was quite a struggle for me, but it was an interesting race on an interesting course. It’s a great start and a close finish.

“I’m still feeling jet-lagged and trying to cope with the weather as it was like racing on high altitude but overall, to win Stage 1 is a wonderful feeling,” said Stander, who bagged the Cape Epic title, the African championship and the South African national championship earlier this year.

Platt, Germany’s three-time Cape Epic champ ranked number 7 in elite marathon category, was a wheel behind Stander, followed by France’s former European champ Thomas Dietsch who came in third in 2:26.12.2.

For Team Colnago Fabre Sudtirol, it was a good day in the office as Schneitter, world number 8 in cross country, crossed the finish line just ahead of team mate, Vivienne Meyer.

Schneitter was pleased with her victory.

“It’s always great to win. Getting a 1-2 finish was a great start. As for Stage 2, I look forward to maintaining my position. Having trained on the course, I liked it and I expect an interesting race tomorrow (today),” said Schneitter.

Malaysia’s top finisher was former road cyclist, Fauzan Lutfi who clocked 2:50.03.2 to finish 25th.

Earlier the race was flagged off by honorary race patron, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Langkawi Sports Complex here.

LIMBC 2011 features five stages that began with Stage 1 around the Kuah town, followed by the cross country Olympic which starts and finishes at Kampung Tok Senik Resort as Stage 2, Stage 3 a 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.

Report courtesy organizers

Stage 1: Langkawi Island Kedah Darulaman Marathon