VTT - Mountain biking history

Mountain biking (MTB) and Mountain Bike (MBT) - Olympic Sports

The bike is a transformation of a bicycle to slide down hills.

Born in the early 1970s in California, mountain biking takes place on dirt roads. Riders must cross many hurdles natural downhill or uphill. At that time the bike to bike like 30 years (having balloon tires and a single speed), have a handlebar and wider tires (48 to 53 mm in cross, 63 to 76 mm in descent) that racing bikes.

In 1974, the American bike racer Gary Fisher (born 1950), intrigued by these bikes, decided to tinker a copy (originally a bicycle from the 1930s, the Schwinn Excelsior X bike), lighter, equipped with several speeds, derailleurs, handlebars right, wide tires and brakes resistant. The first prototype of a bike is born. In 1979 he founded with his buddy Charlie Kelly society 'Mountain Bikes' producing bikes designed for climbs and descents. The first copy cost $ 1300, 160 bicycles were sold that year. The first bike with hydraulic suspensions was initiated in 1990, also by Gary Fisher. His company was acquired in 1993 by Trek Bicycle Company, the largest U.S. manufacturer of bicycles. Gary Fisher has also led to the creation of the National Off-Road Bicycle Association which was founded in 1983.

- 1963 He began competing in track and road to twelve years

- 1964 he discovered the cyclo-cross and win more races

- 1968 Suspended from competition for having hair too long.

- 1972 He resumed competition.

- 1973 He finished 2nd in the Tour of Nevada.

- 1974 he built his legendary bicycle, the Schwinn Excelsior X

- 1976 Winner of the Tour of Klamath Lake, 125 miles long

- It beats the 1977 record 'Repack Downhill' in 4h22mn14s, a record still valid. He finished 5th at the U.S. Championships Cyclo-Cross

In 1991 he founded his own stable of bike including the Swiss Albert Iten and Walter Braendli and Italian Paola Pezzo and Paolo Rusol. In 1996, Paolo Pezzo won an Olympic gold at the wheel of a bike designed by Fisher. Among his other In 2003 he established the Fisher 29-inch, followed by the 29er Dual Sport in 2004, Bigg'ns in 2005 and the Fat Possum in 2006.

Les premières compétitions were organized by the Velo Club Mount Tamalpais in San Francisco. The pioneers of the club have invented the 'Repack Downhill' raid near the Golden Gate Bridge, which took place regularly between 1976 and 1979. Riders must cross many hurdles natural downhill or uphill.

It's an endurance test line on a hilly course by 25 to 40 km which takes place over one day. Duration: 2 hours 15 for men cons 2 hours for women. In WorldCup, the race takes place in closed circuit 6 to 8 km.

It is a sprint event which takes place in two sets. Riders must dismount as soon as a slope in passing many natural obstacles. Course Length: 2 to 5 km. Elevation: 400 m minimum.

In downhill, mountain bike riders can reach top speeds of 90 mph!

It is a race between four competitors on a very short descent.

Discipline recent focus on the skill, balance and cyclist crossing (not speed), which takes place on a hilly circuit and slope, cut into zones, or outdoors (road, path, woodland) or in a stadium. The competitor must navigate each area without ever setting foot on land. It uses two types of wheels: "20 inches" and "26 inches". A world championship takes place each category since 1992 for 20 inches and from 1996 for 26 inches. The women's event was introduced in 2001.

-  World Championships are held since 1990 in cross country and downhill. Four Cross was introduced in 2002, the marathon in 2003 and the mixed relay team in 1999.

-  The European Championships are held since 1989 first in downhill and cross in 1991. As and when other disciplines were added.

-  The World Cup since 1991 in cross country and downhill since 1993.

* has the dual part of the competition in the late 1990s until early 2000.

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