Absalon Wins Men`s Mountain Bike Gold

Julien Absalon of France won his second straight Olympic gold medal in men's mountain bike cross country on Saturday, after dominating the technically challenging 36-km race from the early laps.

Jean-Christophe Peraud, also of France, won silver and Nino Schurter of Switzerland took bronze after a close battle with his team mate Christoph Sauser.

Absalon made the tough uphills and technical descents appear easy as he pedalled his way through the hard packed dirt and slippery mud on the demanding 4.5-km course.

The men completed eight laps of the course in very hot conditions though a cloud cover helped ease the heat from the searing sun. Some of the women who rode the course in the morning said it was very unforgiving, with little time for recovery.