UCI VETOES OLYMPIC MTB COURSE

The mountain bike events at the 2012 Olympic Games will not be held at Weald Country Park in Essex as planned because the UCI says the course is not demanding enough.

A report in today?s Evening Standard says LOCOG ? the London Organising Committeee for the 2012 Olympics ? will now have to find an alternative site.

The UCI?s inspectors made a routine visit to check the suitability of the site but said it was not hilly enough to test the world?s leading riders.

Guidelines say the venue must have room for 3,000 seated spectators as well as offering a tough, technical and hilly course.

Weald Park was chosen because it was within easy reach of the Olympic centre in east London and because it would look good on television.

Alternative venues in the Chilterns and at Epping Forest were originally rejected but could now be back on the agenda.