Anyone who has ever competed in a mountain bike race at any level can relate to this clip. Whether you are a first timer, expert, or pro, MTB racing is just plain grueling. I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for World Cup mountain biking and the athletes who choose to compete at this level.
Julien Absalon (born August 16, 1980 in Remiremont) is a French mountain biker. In both 2004 and 2008 he won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics and at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He rides for the Spanish mountain bike team Orbea. Absalon has 17 World Cup wins.
Absalon won four consecutive Mountain Bike World Championships (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007).
Remember when Richard Groenendael shoved our own Steven Hunter? It reminded me heavily of this clip I saw of Richard punching a spectator in the face at a Gazet van Antwerpen race in 2001.
Well, I finally stumbled across the clip today while being sick and eating healthy portion of garbanzos con espinacas, and watching old cross videos. I can’t really speak to his situation or what the fans may have been yelling, but damn:
Since most all of the spectators at cross races here in Oregon are also racers themselves, I don’t think we see much of this. There isn’t a ton of abusive spectating and mean spirited heckling. Mostly shit talkin’ and encouragement amongst a community of friends. I’ve been trying to imagine what it could have been that the spectator shouted that caused Groenendael to stop racing, run over, and punch the guy square in the face. I’ve got some ideas, but maybe you could help me out in the comments.
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