Maxime Marotte in action during the Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge
LANGKAWI: A stomach bug failed to prevent France’s Maxime Marotte from winning the Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge’s (LIMBC) prologue men’s Open individual time trial in Kuah on Monday.
The 27-year-old BH Brsuntour KMC rider completed the 2.4km course in 5:02.868 to beat the 93-man field.
In second place was Switzerland’s Nicola Rohrbach in a time of 5:04.293 while Swede Emil Lindgren finished third in 5:06.3014.
“I am surprised to win because I had stomach discomfort last night and it was troubling me until this morning. The biggest advantage to be gained from this victory is that I will be mentally stronger to face the tougher challenges in the five stages to come this week,” said Marotte.
The Frenchman claimed that he was able to post the fastest time because he had done his homework on the short course, which began and ended at the Eagle Square.
“I had gone over the course thoroughly and tried to figure out the lines to be taken during the race. I am glad that my extra efforts paid off handsomely.” In the prologue women’s Open time trial, Eva Lechner of Italy took advantage of the favourable weather to post the fastest time.
The Team Colgino Sudritol rider clocked 5:36.889, 5.2 seconds faster than last year’s LIMBC overall champion Lea Davison.
The American finished in 5:42.089 to secure the silver, with Switzerland’s Nathalie Schneitter taking the bronze in 5:42.824.
“Compared to the hot and humid conditions at last year’s Langkawi races, the weather in the past few days is much more bearable. I hope it stays this way throughout the week,” said Lechner.
“I am really happy to have made a good start and hope to continue performing well throughout the championships.” Malaysia’s Masziyaton Mohd Radzi was the only Asian rider to finish in the top 10. She clocked 6:20.614 to finish ninth.
Marzio Deho of Italy won the men’s Masters while Denmark’s Mads Bodker emerged tops in the men’s senior Masters.
Today’s first stage of the LIMBC is a 65km race around Langkawi. There are five stages in this year’s championships.
