Mountain Biking/Men's Cross Country
Flying Dutchman Wins First Mountain Biking Gold
Bart BRENTJENS of the Netherlands was in the lead pack from the start of the first Olympic mountain biking race and never looked back. BRENTJENS covered the 48.7KM (30.3 miles) course in a time of 2:17.38, 2:36 ahead of silver medalist Thomas FRISCHKNECT of Switzerland. Miguel MARTINEZ of France earned the bronze medal with a time of 2:20.36. FRISCHKNECT and MARTINEZ were the only two riders to finish within 3 minutes of BRENTJENS.
Results: Gold, Bart Jan BRENTJENS, the Netherlands, 2:17.38; Silver, Thomas FRISCHKNECHT, Switzerland, 2:20.14; Bronze, Miguel MARTINEZ, France, 2:20.36
"When I attacked hard with just over two laps to go and I lost (eighth-place finisher Luca BRAMATI of Italy), I felt that I could win the race. I was just hoping to not have a flat tire or a crash," said BRENTJENS.
Italian PEZZO Takes Home First Women's Mountain Biking Gold
Paola PEZZO of Italy cruised the 31.9 KM (19.8 mile) cross country course at the Georgia International Horse Park in a time of 1:50.51 for an average speed of 17.3 km/hour to win the first gold medal ever awarded in Olympic women's mountain biking. PEZZO was followed by Canadian Alison SYDOR of Canada (1:51.58) and Susan DeMATTEI of the United States (1:52.36).
Final Standings: Gold, Paola PEZZO, Italy, 1:50.51; Silver, Allison SYDOR, Canada, 1:51.58; Bronze, Susan DeMATTEI, United States, 1:52.36
"Paola is a good rider and she had an awesome day today," said silver medalist Alison SYDOR of Canada. "When she went by, there was nobody that was able to stay with her. From then on, we were really racing for the silver."
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