On Saturday the Olympics turns its attention to cross country Mountain biking. Much has been written about the course, conditions and competition but we felt it was best to get our information from the best source - a rider. Ireland is represented by 15 time National Champion and 3 time Olympian Robin Seymour who is currently preparing for his race in Beijing and filled us in on some of the details.

Question: Now that you are in Beijing, what sort of preparations can you do for the race? Are there specific times you can ride the course?

Robin: Doing final prep now, just tapering down, did a longish spin here and been to the course. Very tight on times so I’m looking at it on tuesday and thursday.

Q. What is the course like?

R: Very hard course, lots of steep short climbs, with steep downhills. Some technical sections in it but having to ride well everywhere. Heat will be a factor.

Q. How does it compare to 1) a World Cup course and 2) what we are used to racing over here and 3) the other Olympic courses you have raced?

R: All the World Cups vary but its similar in severity, much harder than an Irish course though for example. Reports [people in Ireland] were out that it would be like a cycle cross course [fast and untechnical] but as usual people talk complete f**king sh*t when it comes to this stuff, its one of the hardest courses I’ve seen. Unlike other Olympic courses then so far. Similar in layout but like an extreme version of it.

Q. I have been reading that a lot of riders are making the switch to full-suspension for the race, even guys who normally ride hard-tails. You have always been a hard-tail man, do you think it could be an advantage on the course?

R: No no advantage, everyone is here on hard tails as far as I can see. Too much slow speed torquey riding.

Q. Much has been made of the heat, humidity and smog. What do you make of it?

R: It’s very warm here, and humid but changes from day to day. Smog isn’t an issue really. Its well into Beijing but not a huge problem. Could even rain!!

Q. What’s the athletes village like? I have heard it has been voted the best ever in a Games. Who are you rooming with?

R: I managed to get a room on my own eventually. Sharing apartment with Olive Loughnane (20km walker) but seperate rooms…

Part 2 of this interview will follow shortly, stay tuned to Spoke.ie for more from Robin in Beijing…

Best of luck to Robin in the race.  BBC1 are covering the race live on Saturday morning at 8am.