2012 OLYMPIC MTB XC TEST EVENT - Hadleigh Farm International Video

Behind Pendrel was Georgia Gould from the USA who finished 56 seconds behind the Canadian over the 28.1km course. Third place went to Julie Bresset from France who was one minute, 32 seconds behind Pendrel.

 

In the men's race Absalon had a comprehensive win finishing one minute, 20 seconds ahead of second place Christoph Sauser from Switzerland and one minute, 46 seconds ahead of third place rider Karl Markt from Austria. British riders Lee Williams, Kenta Gallagher and Paul Oldham finished in 20th, 23rd and 27th respectively.

 

The event gave international riders the chance to race on the Olympic course for the first ever time and gave the London Olympic Games Organising Committe (LOCOG) the chance to test key parts of the event operations including field of play, workforce and transport.

 

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."

 

Cllr Stephen Castle, from Essex County Council said of the day: "We were delighted to welcome the world's top riders and the 5000 spectators to our Olympic venue here at Hadleigh Farm. It was a thrilling day of competition and truly spectacular to witness how the elite athletes dealt with the technically challenging course, set against the breathtaking panoramic views of the Thames Estuary. This is fantastic for Essex and this event will put Essex firmly on the map as a great cycling destination" 

For a photo report and results see our earlier article on the event and a VFTP by Cait Elliott of the WXC Mountain Bike Team

 

For more information visit the London Prepares website www.londonpreparesseries.com