New Mountain Bike venue announced

The venue will replace the original venue, Weald Country Park, after a change to the requirements for the sport meant that a more technical and challenging course was needed.

The new 550 acre site includes two major hills separated by a valley, which will be ideal for the technical climbs for the events. Spectators will be able to view the majority of the course.

The new venue has been approved by the International Cycling Union (UCI), British Cycling (BC), the International Olympic Committee, and the British Olympic Association.

Located near the village of Hadleigh in Essex, it includes grassland and woodland of Hadleigh Farm, land owned by the Salvation Army and countryside around Hadleigh Castle Country Park.

Discussions are underway to decide how the venue could be used as a Mountain Bike facility after the Games.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: 'It is testament to the hard work of everyone in involved that we have been able to confirm an alternative venue for the Mountain Biking competition only seven months after the venue change was announced.

'In Hadleigh Farm we have a world class venue for Games time with the potential for an excellent facility for elite and community use post Games.'

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