Mountain Bike test event hailed a success as world’s best riders come to Essex

01 Aug 2011
Thousands of spectators watched the world’s best riders compete in the Hadleigh Farm Mountain Bike International on Sunday 31 July.


Spectators lined the route of the mountain bike course under sunny skies in Essex

As part of the London Prepares series, the event allowed the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) to test key aspects of its operations in preparation for next year’s Games.

The sold-out event attracted 5,000 spectators who watched 82 athletes compete at the Olympic Games Mountain Bike venue.

Reigning Olympic champion Julien Absalon from France led from the start and went on to win the men’s race. Absalon stormed to the finish line a full one minute and 20 seconds ahead of second placed Christoph Sauser from Switzerland, and one minute and 46 seconds ahead of third place rider Austria's Karl Markt.

In the women's race, Canadian Catharine Pendrel took the gold after finishing 56 seconds ahead of Georgia Gould from the USA. Third place went to Julie Bresset from France who was one minute and 32 seconds behind Pendrel.

Winner Catharine Pendrel praised the Hadleigh Farm course and the spectators: 'I was very happy with how it raced. If there were 80 girls on the course the corners would be a little tricky, but it raced really well and the spectators were awesome.'

Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport at LOCOG, explained how well the event had gone: 'This was an incredibly successful event. Putting on a test event is vital for us to test key elements of our operations.

'The event went very smoothly today, but we will still learn from the event and listen and work with the athletes to ensure we deliver the best possible Mountain Bike event at the Games next year.'

Mountain Bike venue on course for the Games

04 Apr 2012
The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) today announced improvements and alterations to the Mountain Bike venue at Hadleigh Farm in Essex.


The Mountain Bike events at London 2012 take place over the weekend of 11-12 August, the final two days of the Olympic Games.
Following the Mountain Bike test event last July and based on the feedback of riders and the International Federation, several changes have been made to the course.

Parts of the course will be made wider enabling more opportunities for athletes to pass, while new features have been added to increase the technical difficulty of the course.

With the main climb extended, riders will now cover 172 metres of climbing per lap. A new climb has also been added into the start loop, which will be used on the first lap of the races.

Elite athlete feedback
LOCOG Director of Sport Debbie Jevans said: 'These changes to the course have been implemented after feedback from the elite athletes following the test event and from conversations with the UCI.

'We are confident that the London 2012 course remains one of the most technically challenging courses at an Olympic Games, whilst we have ensured that it is as competitive as it can be by increasing the number of places where competitors can pass each other.'

Today also saw Essex County Council and The Salvation Army launch legacy plans for the Hadleigh Farm and Hadleigh Country Park site, including new and improved cycling trails and visitor facilities.

Read the full media release

Cycling – Mountain Bike

Rocky paths, tricky climbs and technical descents will provide plenty of challenges for riders in the Mountain Bike competition.

In Mountain Bike events, riders may carry their own tool kits, and are only allowed to receive outside assistance in dedicated assistance zones should they have any mechanical problems.

Key facts  

Venue: Hadleigh Farm, Essex
Dates: Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 August
Medal events: 2
Athletes: 80 (50 men, 30 women)

Much like BMX, Mountain Biking is a young sport that has risen to worldwide popularity at an amazing rate. Fast, furious and occasionally downright terrifying, the sport developed in northern California during the 1970s. However, it quickly spread from its low-key beginnings and now has a huge following around the globe, which has only grown since its arrival on the Olympic programme in the 1990s.

The basics

Cross-country Mountain Bike competitions at the Olympic Games take place over rough and hilly countryside. All riders start together and must complete a set number of laps of the course, with races lasting around one hour and forty-five minutes for both men and women. There are no heats: for both the men’s and women’s events, all competitors start together, and the first rider to cross the finish line wins the gold.

Bicycles used in Mountain Bike events are built for speed, durability and comfort, no easy task given the variety of terrain. They need to be quick and light enough to aid climbing through uneven terrain, but sturdy and stable enough to handle descents at extreme speeds.

Olympic Mountain Biking, past and present

The first official Mountain Bike World Championships were held as recently as 1990. A mere six years later, cross-country Mountain Biking made its Olympic debut in Atlanta.

At London 2012, the Mountain Bike competition will take place at Hadleigh Farm in Essex. The newly constructed course, built especially for the Olympic Games, will provide a tough test for competitors from all over the world.

Jargon buster

  • Full sus: A mountain bike with both front and rear suspension.
  • Hardtail: A mountain bike with no rear suspension.
  • Kick-out: A technique used to shift the back wheel out to one side into a turn.
  • Pinch flat: A flat tyre caused by hitting an obstacle so hard that the inner tube is pinched against the rim.

See the London 2012 Olympic Games competition schedule

Get involved

Cycling is a great way to keep fit, as well as an environmentally-friendly means of transport.

British Cycling's club development programme, called Go-Ride, is aimed at encouraging clubs to help young cyclists enjoy their cycling in a safe, off-road environment.

For more information, see British Cycling and Union Cycliste Internationale.


منبع:   www.london2012.com/cycling-mountain-bike