Australian downhill rider Nathan Rennie is in final preparations for his world record jump attempt, travelling from Sydney to outback South Australia yesterday where the jump will take place. 'The Painted Desert', where the jump will take place, is three hours outside the opal mining town of Cooper Pedy on the road to Oodnadatta. Filming on a 30-minute special on the jump has already begun, with the jump scheduled for Thursday, weather permitting.
Rennie is attempting to jump in excess of 116ft, the current world record for a jump on a bicycle. A special 12 metre long, 3 metre wide ramp has been constructed and the 2003 world cup downhill champ will be towed into the ramp by motorcycle to reach the required speed for a successful attempt.
Seven Pan Am medals for U.S. mountain bikers
USA Cycling
The U.S. National Mountain Bike Team collected seven medals over the weekend – two of them gold – at the Pan American Mountain Bike Championships outside Mexico City.
Mary McConneloug (Chilmark, Mass.) rode to a Pan American Championship in the elite women's race to lead an all-American podium that included a silver medal performance from Kelli Emmett (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and a bronze medal effort from Willow Koerber (Ashville, N.C.).
"I was leading in the first lap and then flatted. Kelli, Willow and the Canadian rider passed me, and it took me awhile to get back on. Finally in the last lap I was able to pull ahead and get a little gap. I am thrilled with the win and I think this was a great cultural experience for everyone." McConneloug said afterwards.
Full report & results
