Video: A preview of Rio 2016’s new XCO course

Yes, the races of Rio 2016 are still about a year away. But you don’t need to wait long to get a sneak peek of the blistering, technical high-speed trails expected to heat up next summer’s competition.

This video is what happened when Nick Floros, a South African course designer, stuck a helmet camera on his head and went for a white-knuckle joyride along the cross-country course under construction for the Rio 2016 Olympics. Designed by Floros himself, the course seems to have it all: technical descents, drops, rocky obstacles, and more than enough of each to potentially catch even the most skilled, technique-minded rider.

It’s five kilometres in all, and according to information released by organizers, this is a track meant to challenge all and give no-one an easy ride.

The course — now about 80% complete, according to Rio2016.com — is intended as a tough testing ground for only the best all-around riders. “What we saw here really exceeded expectations,” said UCI mountain bike coordinator Simon Burney, who visited the cross-country site earlier this summer. I’m sure we’re going to have a really good course, a very exciting course, for everyone: athletes, spectators and TV broadcasters. It’s hard to say that one course is better or worse than another, but we’re sure the course has the potential to be one of the best Olympic courses ever.”

That, Flores said, was the entire idea behind his breakneck brainchild. “The area chosen was very good to design for,” he said, “as it has a natural variety of land types and many climbs and descents. The course is going to be great.”

Riders will get their first taste of the new course at the Aquece Rio International Mountain Bike Challenge, happening on October 11th.