World's best riders come to Essex for Olympic test event

More than 80 of the world's best riders came to Essex to take part in an Olympic test event.
The event, held on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Hadleigh Farm, was a chance for Essex Police's Olympic Planning Team to put into practice their plans for the London 2012 Olympic Games mountain biking event.
A total of 5000 spectators turned out to watch 82 athletes compete at the Olympic venue over a 4.6km course. It was the first time the riders have had the chance to race on the Olympic course and in just over a year, they'll be racing there to compete for an Olympic gold medal.
During the Olympic Games, police will have responsibility for public safety and prevention of crime and will be working to aid the free flow of traffic.
Ch Insp John Walker from the planning team said: "We wanted to provide a presence but with a light policing touch. The test event was an opportunity for local people to experience the mountain biking course and enjoy a family day out."
Visitors to the sold out event were able to see police horses Coggeshall, Tilbury and Chigwell, also known as Biscuit, Major and Rosie, on patrol inside the venue and in Hadleigh town. Police officers and a PCSO from the Operation Velo bike team were on site as well as a small number of local officers who were able to talk with people attending the event.
A park and ride service from Waterside Park on Canvey Island and buses from Leigh railway station were operating, however traffic appeared to be quieter than a normal Sunday in July in the area.
Chief Insp Walker added: "It is a very impressive setting and the riders have said it is a tough course, so we are looking forward to the main event in 2012 with 20,000 people expected to attend on both days."
Security at the venue is the responsibility of the London Olympic Games Organisation Committee (LOCOG). The test event gave them the opportunity to test key parts of the event operations including field of play, workforce and transport.
Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport at LOCOG, said: "This was an incredibly successful event. Putting on a test event is vital for us to test key elements of our operations.
"The event went very smoothly, but we will still learn from the event and listen and work with the athletes to ensure we deliver the best possible Mountain Bike event at the Games next year."
Female competitors completed six laps of the course and male competitors eight.
Reigning Olympic champion Julien Absalon from France led from the start to come out on top for the men, and Canadian Catharine Pendrel won the women's race.
She said: "I was very happy with how the course raced. If there were 80 girls on the course the corners would be a little tricky, but it raced really well and the spectators were awesome."
Cllr Stephen Castle, from Essex County Council added: "We were delighted to welcome the world's top riders and the 5000 spectators to our Olympic venue here at Hadleigh Farm.
"It was a thrilling day of competition and truly spectacular to witness how the elite athletes dealt with the technically challenging course, set against the breathtaking panoramic views of the Thames Estuary.
"This is fantastic for Essex and this event will put Essex firmly on the map as a great cycling destination"

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• London 2012
• Olympics
• Olympic Games
• Hadleigh
• Hadleigh Farm
• mountain bike
• test event
• Essex Police
• police horse
• mounted unit
• Canvey Island
• Leigh
• LOCOG
• Essex County Council