On a ridge overlooking the Thames Estuary, Britain's top mountain bikers got a first look at next year's Olympic venue on Wednesday as 2012 organisers completed one of their trickiest challenges.
After Games planners had their initial course rejected by cycling's world governing body who claimed it was too easy, work began on an alternative site last year and the resulting 5.1 km track meets all the requirements, LOCOG claims.
The low-lying terrain of London and its eastern approaches is not classic mountain bike terrain, particularly for the world's best pedallers.
However, designers are confident the Hadleigh Farm site, 45 minutes by car from the Olympic Stadium in east London, provides a challenging venue for the men's and women's medal races.
Sebastian Coe, head of London's organising committee (LOCOG), saddled up for a spin in dazzling sunshine on Wednesday, although the former middle-distance great steered well clear of the treacherous rocky sections and steep descents carved into farmland owned by the Salvation Army by course designer Martin Seddon.
"The course is challenging with multiple climbs and descents for the riders to tackle and I believe the mountain bike competition will be one of the most exciting events at the London 2012 Olympic Games," Coe said.
LOCOG's mountain bike manager Martyn Salt said the layout features a combined climb of 170 metres and had involved bringing in 500 tons of rock from northern England.
"We were looking for an overall challenge for the riders, it's not just about going up and down a hill," Salt told Reuters. "This is a particularly demanding course because there is very little flat, and therefore no rest on mind or body.
"Over the course of the race (around eight laps) they'll be climbing higher than England's highest mountain."
Liam Killeen, Britain's best hope for a mountain bike medal after coming seventh in Beijing, said the course was one of the most demanding he had seen despite his initial scepticism.
"They've done a super job, it's very technical," he told Reuters before tackling a bone-jarring section of the lay-out in front of watching media and local schoolchildren.
"It's a strong man's course. It's maybe a bit shorter than some Olympic courses, but physically it's up there with the hardest ones I've seen."
Hadleigh Farm, which houses rare breeds of cattle and sheep, will accommodate 20,000 spectators, paying between 25 pounds and 45 pounds (($40.93 and $73.67), on race days during the Games.
With minimal seating planned, fans will enjoy views across the course from natural vantage points while standing just a few metres away from riders travelling at speeds over 30mph.
"Anybody who comes to watch will be impressed," Killeen said. "It will look really good."
A test event will be held this July with riders from around the world invited to compete.
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