ok Ive ridden this course (unofficially!!), but first a bit of background..
Ive been racing xc since about 94/95, have ridden and raced in three continents incl world cup courses, ex cactus cup courses etc etc. I still race in the south east mud sweat and gears series ( I came 4th overall in masters in 2009 - 2010 I had a baby...well!)
First thing - just round the corner to this course is natural terrain, whcih in my opinion would make a better and tougher xc course. Ive been riding it for near on 20 years, Ive used it for training in that time along with a commonwealth gold medalist and numerous other guys a lot better than myself. It would make a very tough xc course, but its not television friendly.
The olympic course has been designed (as with everything for the olympics) to be totally viewable on the tv, ie every part of it can be televised, which in turn makes it look unlike a 'normal' xc course.
On to the circuit - Im guessing a lot of the negative comments have been made by people that dont regularly compete in xc races and are wondering why it doesnt look like a trail centre. Dont be fooled by appearances. Firstly the video clip flattens the whole thing out, and gives no idea of how steep some of these climbs and drops are - I was riding with guys each with around 15 years of xc racing under their belts, not all of them took the red routes. Sitting at the top of the rock chute and looking down is not a pleasant experience, nor the drop by the tree, they will take a lot of experience to handle properly. The climbs are quite literally breathtaking. The gradient of some of them would have some racers Ive seen getting off and pushing, and theyre not short.
Its not a pleasant course to ride, and its not designed to be a pleasant course to ride. You have to keep your wits about you at all times and a mistake will hurt.
Now add into the equation 30 lunatics riding at lactic threshold all trying to get onto your bit of space and bumping your wheels, arms, bars etc... No thanks. If I turned up at a race this year and that was the course Id seriously be worried. it will be a very good hard race, and Im looking forward to the test event in july. Im sure theyll be some complaints about the harshness of the course.
Unfortunately most people look at the course decide its not a trail centre and therefore it must be crap. I saw guys on huge twin suspended freeride bikes take the easy routes ( i was on a 97 hei hei by the way
)
Secondly why does everyone think wales is a better place - Ive ridden most centres and ranges in wales they were good, but doesnt necessarily mean theyll make the best races. One of the best places Ive raced was queen elizabeth park, an incredibly difficult race, technical too and a temp touching 90degrees didnt help either!
Open your minds a bit here guys it is a good xc race course, which is exactly what its designed for...
