Lea Davison (Specialized) and Fabian Giger (Rabobank-Giant Off-road) appear to have the Langkawi International Mountain Bike Challenge men’s and women’s titles in the bag after Friday’s fourth stage. Giger’s Rabobank teammate Emil Lindgren and Nathalie Schneitter (Colnago-Sudtirol) won the men’s and women’s races, respectively.
Lindgren won the 27km stage in 1:33:35, 29 seconds ahead of the GC leader, who finished second. Karl Markt (Feltz-O-Bionic) was 1:27 down on the six-lap course at Langkawi Geopark, taking third.
“I am a cross-country rider and the short course suits me well. I am happy and looking forward for tomorrow,” said Giger after the race.
Giger extended his overall lead to 6:18 over Kristian Hynek (Ceska Sporitelna-Specialized), with Karl Platt (Team Bulls) in third, 12:20 behind the leader.
Schneitter won a tight race with Colnago teammate Eva Lechner by three seconds, with 2012 Olympian Davison 1:12 behind on the women’s 22.5km stage.
Third on stage 4 was enough for Davison to extend her lead in the race, holding onto the pink leader’s jersey by 9:21 over second in the general classification, Elisabeth Sveum (Norway). Janka Stevkova (Slovakia) is third overall, 14:21 down on the leader.
“I am pleased with my form today,” said Davison. “Barring any disaster tomorrow, I am looking good for the title.”
Racing concludes Saturday with a 1.6km circuit along the beach at Pantoi Kok.
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