The 2012 Olympic Mountain Bike course at Hadleigh Farm, Essex – which was completed on schedule back in March – has been undergoing further test rides with reigning Olympic champion Julien Absalon declaring it, “…a new generation of track, with a lot of artificial parts – it’s more spectacular.” The custom-built course is set on a hilly 550-acre site now owned by the Salvation Army with a backdrop consisting of views across the Thames estuary and the 700-year-old ruins of Hadleigh Castle. Chair of the London Organising Committee, Lord Coe, has (somewhat generously) described it as “one of the most beautiful venues I have seen in the world.” The Olympic action will take place on Saturday August 11 and Sunday August 12 with 80 competitors (50 men, 30 women) peddling it out for the two medals on offer for the discipline. Take a look at the video below to see just what these brave/foolhardy athletes are in for…
