About Mountain Biking
Mountain Terrain Bike (MTB) is specially designed bike to race off-road in different terrains. These are used for mountain trails and other unpaved roads filled with rocky and mud obstacles and the sport is popularly known as mountain biking.
Mountain bike racing is about negotiating through the rough and mountainous terrain filled with rocks, steeps, downhill and loose dirt roads.
Riders in this race are focused on completing the race ahead of any other riders. They have to control the bike speed and maintain balance while traversing through the rough terrain and dirt tracks.
This race is organised on a fixed trail path spanning across a mountain path or an artificially created track resembling that of the mountain trail. This sport is filled with thrill and excitement and riders push themselves to the limit to win the race.
With the increasing popularity of this sport and its growing interest amongst riders, this sport made its appearance at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.
Men and women participate in this sport in their respective race category. Riders have to be extremely fit and agile with adequate knowledge of their equipment.
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the governing body of this sport. They formulate rules and maintain the specifications of the bicycles and organise this sport at different sporting arena based on their sporting calendar.
Mountain Biking Olympic 2020 logo : 
History
Mountain biking originated in 1970s around California in the USA. The mountain bikes used to be heavy bikes used for freewheeling down the mountain slopes. At the beginning of the 1980s, cycle companies started the production of mountain bikes with lighter frames, increasing the popularity of the sport.
Media attention and sponsors gave a boost to this sport. The first national mountain bike championship was organised in 1983. Soon the game gathered popularity throughout other countries of the world.
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), recognised this sport in 1990, and since then, all the tournaments for mountain biking, are organised by this governing body. Mountain biking was introduced in the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, for the first time and this sport has been a part of the Olympics since then.
Objective
The objective of this sport is to complete the stipulate trail in minimal time. The trail is filled with mountain rocks water streams and involves steep climbing along with decent.
The riders start from a starting point and follow the path of the trail laid down for the competition. Riders participating in mountain biking are extremely skilful to balance their bikes amongst obstacles yet maintaining their speed. They have powerful legs to climb their bikes up the mountains amidst a dusty path filled with rocks.
Race Course
The racecourse can be natural or man-made, comprising of rough terrain including steep climb and downhill descent. The course is marked with signs that indicate the designated route to the rider.
The course comprises sections like narrow and broad tracks, woodland roads and paths, field paths and rocky tracks that are a mixture of fast and technical sections. The emphasis of the course is to test the riders’ technical skill, their physical ability and endurance.
For the Olympics, the lap length of the trail varies between 4 to 6kms.
Equipments
Mountain bikes are specially designed for the rugged nature of the mountains. The frame of the bikes is lighter with front suspension to absorb the rough terrain.
Handlebars are flat and straight providing grip and control to the riders. The diameter of tyres varies between 26 inches, 27.5 inches or 29 inches with 2.5-inch width. These bikes are fitted with hydraulic brakes and a low gear ratio to help riders climb steep hills and obstacles.
The pedals of these bikes are also specially designed to fit the shoe worn by the riders. The riders use a specially designed shoe that mechanically attaches to the pedals.
Safety Equipments
Mountain biking is a sport amidst the mountain trail, filled with obstacles. Safety of riders are of paramount importance in this sport.
Crash Helmets: Wearing helmets is a mandatory requirement for a rider. Helmets should be worn by the rider at all times during riding, whether during competition warm-ups or practice.
Clothing: The rider should not wear loose clothing that could be tangled, in the rider cycle. They should wear comfortable clothing that should not display any offensive message or image that spoils the spirit of the game.
Visual Identification: The riders should always wear the visual identification sign provided by the organiser.
Gloves: Wearing gloves is a mandatory requirement for a rider. This is required to protect their hands against falling across the rough terrain of mountains. They also help riders to maintain a firm grip on their handles.
Other Protective Gears: It is strongly recommended that riders wear back, elbow, knee and shoulder protectors made of rigid materials.
Sports Officials
The following officials keep a strict eye on the performance of the participants.
Technical Delegate: A technical delegate is appointed by UCI, with the responsibility to supervise the preparation of the event covering technical aspects. The role includes carrying out an inspection of the entire track and ascertaining that the recommendations made by him are correctly implemented.
Marshals: Marshals are placed at all the strategic points all along the trail. They are provided distinctive uniforms and badge for distinguishing. They also carry the course map and radio communication to inform the Marshal Director of any adversity. They are also provided with a whistle.
Doctor: A doctor is present along with a medical van at a strategic point around the trail.
Rules Of Mountain Biking
- The participating riders must be registered by UCI. They should be dressed up in their riding gear.
- Men or women riders should be aged 23 and above to be able to participate in the elite category in Olympics.
- The riders number provided by the organiser, must be clearly displayed during riding.
- Riders should not interfere with the progress of other riders. In case of any problem with the bike, rider should take the bike away from the road, fix the problem and then rejoin the race.
- Riders are allowed carry their water bottle and nutrients, but they should not throw the packets on the trail.
- Feeding is permitted only in the zones designated for that purpose, which are also used as technical assistance zones.
- Riders are not allowed to carry any radio links or any other means of communication devices.
- Riders must start as a single group.
- Riders must inform marshal about any injured rider during the trail.
- Riders are allowed to walk with their bikes over obstacles or can even carry their bikes over the obstacles.
- Riders should follow theroute laid out by the organisers strictly. Any deviations or shortcuts may lead to their disqualification.
- Inappropriate behaviour towards marshals or race organisers can lead to disqualification or the rider.
- Spraying of water to the rider or the bike is forbidden.
World Rankings
- Mens Mountain Biking
- Henrique Avancini
- Jordan Sarrou
- Nino Schurter
- Womens Mountain Biking
- Pauline Prevot Ferrand
- Loana Lecomte
- Rebecca Mcconnel
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)