For the world’s best mountain bikers, the only way will be Essex on August 11/12 as the Olympic cross-country event comes to Hadleigh Farm on the Thames estuary. And what a race it promises to be, with the field wide open in both the men’s and women’s events.

Competition has been fierce in the lead up to the Olympics, with many riders battling for one of the few coveted places on the start line right up until the end of May.

Swiss rider Nino Schurter, bronze medallist at the last Games in Beijing, comes to London as the hot favourite, but he will have to be at the peak of his form to beat double Olympic champion, Frenchman Julien Absalon. Both riders have won two World Cup events so far this season, and there is no doubt these two will be right at the front of the race battling it out for Olympic glory come August.

Canadian Catharine Pendrel won the test race at Hadleigh Farm last year, and she comes into the women’s race on August 11 with plenty of form from the World Cup. But her challengers are many and potent, particularly French rider Julie Bresset and 2004 Olympic champion, the evergreen Gunn-Rita Dahle Fleesja. Britain also has a medal hope in the shape of 21-year old Annie Last.

With a lack of mountainous terrain to call on, the Essex course designers had to get creative, but what they’ve ended up with is a tortuous track of multiple short, sharp climbs and visually spectacular rock gardens. Average speed over the one and a half hour event will be high – around 13mph – so it is likely that groups will form early on, and riders will seek shelter from the wind by drafting. Multiple line choices through certain sections give the opportunity for overtaking, but the result may well come down to a sprint finish or a last lap attack.

Whatever happens, whether you’re lucky enough to have tickets for the live event, or will simply be watching it on televison, both races are sure to be spectacular. As they like to say in Essex, it’ll be reem.

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