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The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games has confirmed that the venue for the mountain biking event during the 2012 Olympics will take place at Hadleigh Farm, Essex.
The new course was chosen following a request for more technical terrain by the UCI. The original proposed venue was the Weald Country Park, also in Essex.
The UCI has approved the new course near Benfleet in Essex. The route weaves through grassland, woodland and masses of the Hadleigh castle countryside. Two major hills feature, separated by a valley, which will provide technical climbs and descents.
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG today said: ‘It is testament to the hard work of everyone in involved that we have been able to confirm an alternative venue for the Mountain Biking competition only seven months after the venue change was announced.
‘In Hadleigh Farm we have a world class venue for Games time with the potential for an excellent facility for elite and community use post Games.’
Pat McQuaid, President of UCI said: ‘The UCI is delighted with Hadleigh Farm and believe it will be a spectacular Mountain Biking venue for London 2012. It has a wonderful terrain and offers a unique opportunity for spectators to view the majority of the course.
‘Our technical experts believe it meets all the requirements of an Olympic Mountain Biking course with a range of elevations that will provide a challenging course for competitors.’
Photographs copyright Suffolk County Council Education Department.
Photographs taken by Chris Garnett. Additional photos by Clive Cartmel.
