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She became the first-ever female Olympic mountain bike Champion when she won in Atlanta in 1996, and she retained her title four years later in Sydney. Paola was also three-time European Champion, and during the height of her career - from gold in Atlanta to the end of 1997 - she won every race she entered. 

It was not just her emphatic victories that drew attention to the Italian rider though. Her insistence on tight Lycra and full length zips drew a large male fan-base! She coupled her beauty and her talent to become a media star and a pin-up for mountain biking, especially in Europe. 

Pezzo's glittering career (quite literally, given some of her skinsuits) is, however, shadowed by doping. She tested positive for the banned steroid Nandrolone after taking the title at the 1997 World Cup finals.  After a six month ban, she returned to the sport and, ultimately, to the top step of the Olympic podium. Her bright white smiled beamed, but being rather dishy does not excuse one from doping...

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Lee Quarry in Lancashire has become a popular trail centre and race venue for the North West, with the GB cross-country academy riders training at the quarry - jumping and bumping around on the rocky terrain in aid of widening their skill-set - and the Brownbacks XC race series proving popular with local racers. 

At the opposite end of the country is Wheal Maid Valley, Cornwall, which hosted Round 2 of the British national series this year. The course, which wound round and up and down in the pre-industrial quarry, was very well received among riders. It offered something new - a technical and varied course set against a unique and other-worldly backdrop. 

Quarries are a self-contained playground for mountain bikers. They offer severe, demanding terrain without further scarring the landscape; rocks, drops, climbs and features are all already there. 

More please!

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Despite being just 22, Henderson is the top elite racer in Australia and was the sole female Australian representative at the 2012 London Olympic Games, where she finished 25th. 

Riding for Trek Factory Racing, in 2013 she won two World Cups, was second in three and won the overall title. She is the U23 Australian ans Oceania cross-country Champion, overall Australian national series winner and has won both an American and British national series round. 

Looking forward, Bec looks to be a strong medal contender at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and a formidable presence in the elite women's World Cups. 

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Also check out: ABC - DEF - GHI - JKL - MNO

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