National cyclist Muhammad Raihaan Abd Aziz was once again Brunei's best finisher at the Langkawi International Mountain (MTB) Bike Challenge (LIMBC) after coming in 18th in yesterday's first stage.
Three national cyclists completed the 65km Stage 1 to advance through to the 45km Stage 2 race today.
Muhammad Rafiuddin Zikara came in 55th followed shortly after by Mohammad Nurjamri Johari who came in 61st.
Their times could not be obtained as of press time.
Raihaan and Rafiuddin are using the tour as one of their warm-up events leading up to December's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Myanmar and the former said that Saturday's 81km rain-soaked marathon helped them prepare for yesterday's event.
"Stage 1 was nothing compared to what we had to go through during the International Cycling Union Marathon Series Race on Saturday," Raihaan told The Brunei Times.
"It was just slightly wet and muddy, so we could ride the whole way through.
"Hopefully Stage 2 will have the same course conditions as today," added Raihaan, who finished 13th on Saturday.
Rafiuddin failed to complete Saturday's course but Nurjamri, who placed 18th out of 70 riders, also said last weekend's rain helped him prepare for yesterday's race.
"The muddy terrain on Saturday definitely prepared me for what I had to go through today," said Nurjamri.
"Knowing that I am going up against world ranked athletes doesn't affect me or the ranking that I finish with.
"The only thing that may get in my way is the condition of the track and if I come across any technical bike problems," added Nurjamri, who missed out on a ticket to compete in the SEA Games.
Sweden's Emil Lindgren was first across the line at yesterday's Stage 1, followed by France's Maxime Marrote and Japan's Kohei Yamamoto.
The cyclists will take on the 45km Stage 2 from Eagle Square to Oriental Village today.
