mountain biking in the olympics

[mountain tamer]

hey guys,

just wondering what sort of riding it is cross-country, downhill? etc

just out of interest

cheers,

MT

[alchemist]

XCO - Cross Country Olympic.

[toolonglegs]

8.8kg Scalpel!!! for the Olympics...
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/ol ... tech_01_08

[Hawkeye]

There was a comment in that article about Vredestein tubulars. Is this as in non-tubeless, or tubulars as in off-road singles?

[toolonglegs]

There was a comment in that article about Vredestein tubulars. Is this as in non-tubeless, or tubulars as in off-road singles?

Off road singles...they make alot of cyclo- cross singles I think.

[Hawkeye]

Well I suppose that means less likelihood of pinch flats, but I hope they've cleared the track of thorns and sharp rocks.

[toolonglegs]

I am not sure what their advantages are over tubeless?...maybee they are alot lighter.
Supposed to be a tough course!.

[Fletch]

It's surprising how many of the top xc riders run gripshift

[toolonglegs]

http://www.velonews.com/article/82145/o ... -predicted
Sounds like fun!.

[Kalgrm]

Ooh yeah! I hope we see a good amount of it.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Hawkeye]

It's surprising how many of the top xc riders run gripshift

Yep, I noticed that too. What's with that?

[mountain tamer]

Ooh yeah! I hope we see a good amount of it.

+1

it is pretty likely that we will see very little judging by channel 7's performance, but I hope SBS get the broadcast rights, if they do, i will be glued to my chair

Yep, I noticed that too. What's with that?

does it give more control so they don't have to remove their fingers from the bar which could be a real pain on such a technical course

[Kalgrm]

Just heard on the radio that the women's MTB race has been postponed to Saturday due to track damage sustained in today's rain.

Cheers,
Graeme

[Mini Man]

G ripshifts are lighter, safer(thumb stays under grip), you can also grab a handfull of gears very quickly up or down , I have found when I get really tired in endurance races it's much easier to change gears without fiddling about with levers, too easy!
Cheers , John.

[sogood]

Ok, I am back from the Beijing Olympics and here are three photos from the Women's MTB finish. Spitz of GER was way too strong but was also assisted by a peloton crash at the start that gapped quite a number of favourites. The delay of the start by one day was wise as the rain would have made the track extremely muddy. With the delay, the ground was firmer of clay consistency on the day. Otherwise, it was hot and humid just standing around as a spectator and I really felt for the riders. Based on what I saw on the big screen and mud on some of the riders, it was a hard day out with quite a number of crashes on the technical course. The softened ground probably also helped to minimize the injuries as I didn't see any bloody wounds on any of the fallen riders. I vocally supported our lone Aussie star, Dellys Starr, every time she went by but I wasn't sure if my "Go Aussie" yell helped. She got lapped.


Germany's Spitz approaching the finish.


She was so happy that she still had the energy to lift her bike at the finish line.


Poland's Wloszczowska received silver.


And the winners lining up for the medal's ceremony.

[Kalgrm]

Thanks for the report Sogood, and welcome back.

Cheers,
Graeme

[AUbicycles]

Don't restart old threads... whoops now I have done it.

Great photos sogood - good result for Germany, she had a minor tumble as well as it was a very technical course but managed much better than a lot of others. Thanks for the insight.

Cheers
Christopher