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Olympic Mountain Bike Race Update
Top Cross-Country Stars Get Briefed on September's Race
July 3, 2000
An official from Sydney's upcoming Olympic Games came to the World Cup race
in Mont Sainte Anne last week, to update riders and team managers on
logistics for the sport's two biggest races this fall. As the most
complicated and difficult race of the past four years, the Olympic
Cross-Country event has many people in the industry wondering, "Just how is
this going to work?"
MountainZone.com was invited to listen in to the briefing from SOCOG (The Sydney Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games), and
brings you some key notes for the big race. Whether you're a rider, insider
or just spectator, this information will help you cut through the red tape
and maybe even go see the race.
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| "Credentials were a big topic of conversation, as even athletes will need
accreditation all the way up to the point where they enter the race track.
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Generally speaking, the race will operate like a World Cup, with the UCI and
SOCOG sharing the technical duties of running the event. Racing takes place
at Fairfield Farm, outside the city center at the same venue as last year's
trial event.
Credentials were a big topic of conversation, as even athletes will need
accreditation all the way up to the point where they enter the race track.
Riders are allowed a mechanic with them, but teams won't have their trucks or
even technical support at the race. Actually, only four companies — RockShox,
Hutchinson and Manitou will join the official support company, Mavic, at the
race area.
Here are some other important facts for the race:
Key Dates:
Village Opens: September 2nd.
Racing: Saturday, September 23 (women), Sunday, September 24 (men)
Training: September 17th to 22nd, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Road Training: September 3rd to 24th on road venue.
Competition Time: 1:00 p.m. for both races
Staging: 20 minutes before race.
Team Managers' Meeting: September 21st.
Course Facts:
Race Venue is 32 km from race village, via M4 highway.
30-40 minute drive, even during Olympics.
80 mountain bike competitors; 50 men, 30 women.
970 staff for the mountain bike race.
20,000 spectators, tickets sold out.
6.9 km course length
310 meters of climbing per lap.
Weather:
Spring conditions; cool mornings, 24° highs with chance of
rain. (Course is all-weather)
Etc:
10,200 athletes (300-400 fewer than 1996)
75,000 volunteers
12,000 accredited media
25,000 unaccredited media
— Ari Cheren, MountainZone.com Correspondent
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