Sunny Weather and Slippery Gravel Await Olympic Mountain Bikers

The forthcoming Olympic mountain bike races in Elancourt Hill promise a challenging course due to sunny conditions and slippery gravel. Riders like Austria's Mona Mitterwallner and France’s Pauline Ferrand-Prevot highlight the intensity and perils of the track. Rain could alter the dynamic, making it slightly safer.

Sunny conditions forecast for the Olympic mountain bike races could add another level of peril to an already-challenging course carved out of a former sandstone quarry at Elancourt Hill.

Riders have been meticulously prepping the 4.4km track, noting that its highest point at 231 meters above sea level in Ile-de-France only adds to its complexity. 'It's very fast and extremely slippery,' said Austria's Mona Mitterwallner, who will compete in the women's race on Sunday.

Featuring tough climbs and white-knuckle descents named The Wall, The Giant Stairs, and The Gold Rush, the course demands extreme focus. France's Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, competing on home soil, is a top contender but likely to face stiff competition.

Rain in the Paris region could slightly mitigate the slipperiness of the course, designed by Nick Floros. 'It's more slippery when it's dry because of the gravel,' added Mitterwallner. Britain's Tom Pidcock, the reigning champion, remains skeptical of the track, describing it as bland.

(With inputs from agencies.)