Olympic Mountain Biking competition guide

Mountain biking is competed on rough or irregular terrains and is a simple start-to-finish race.

Circuits are approximately 5km long, with men needing to complete more laps than women. Bikes have large tires, as well as rear and front shock absorbers, so that they can handle the punishment of the course and reach higher speeds.

The course cannot have more than 15 per cent of flat terrain. The bikes need to be as light as possible, with most weighing between 8 and 9kg.

A total of 211 riders compete – 144 men and 67 women.

When: Saturday August 20 to Sunday August 21 Competition: Men and women’s cross-country