The Hadleigh Farm in Essex will be the new venue for the Mountain Biking events for the London 2012 games. According to the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), this alternative site was chosen after a close analysis of the technical requirements of the game.

Prior to the choice of the new venue, the London Games for 2012 was first set to be held at the Weald Country Park, also in Essex. However, the International Cycling Union (UCI) earlier noted that the original venue was not challenging enough for the deemed contestants. As such, new choices and proposals for an alternative site were taken into consideration in January of this year.

Hadleigh Farm, a tough test for mountain bikers

The new venue of the London 2012 games, the Hadleigh Farm in Essex features a 550 acre area showing a variety of hills and plains that is perfect for skilled mountain bikers. The site, which is owned by the Salvation Army, lies close to the Hadleigh Village and Benfleet, Essex. According to the organizers of the game, the mountainous areas in the site's valley will serve as the major technical climb test of the course.

Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG noted that the Hadleigh Farm is indeed a "world class venue" that's undoubtedly a perfect facility for the mountain bike games. Pat McQuaid, President of the UCI described the new venue as "challenging" and "spectator friendly". He further stated that their technical experts regard that the elevations in Hadleigh Farm meet "Olympic mountain biking standards."

The decision for the said venue achieved the unanimous approval of the UCI, British Cycling (BC), the British Olympic Association, and the International Olympic Committee. Following the final contract negotiations, the organizing committee reported that they will immediately start with the planning period, which will last for four months. LOCOG will prepare the course lay-out, as well as the temporary facilities that will be needed for the London Games.