Cycling: NZ mountain biker prepares for Athens heat

1.00pm

ATHENS - New Zealand mountain biker Kashi Leuchs is sparing all expense to acclimatise for the heat awaiting him in Athens.

He is simply driving around western Europe in an old banger without the luxury of air conditioning.

"As far as preparing for the hot weather, I do have one little trick up my sleeve. It's called sitting in the car without air conditioning. It's pretty hot here already so without air con I can get up a pretty good sweat," Leuchs told NZPA from Switzerland.

Currently ranked 16th in the world in the cross country discipline, Leuchs has also admittedly adopted more scientific methods to ensure he will be at peak fitness for his event near the end of the programme on August 28.

Before heading to Switzerland to round off his preparation the Dunedin rider hit the high spots in France -- spending about two weeks at altitude.

"It (sleeping at altitude) has really helped in the past to bring on the form. It's interesting how much the small air pressure change can make, but for me it's like a switch -- I immediately start to lose weight, and get faster."

His stint in the rarified air included three days at Les Deux Alpes -- France's biggest free-ride mountain station.

"They have chairlifts and gondolas which take us up, so we could just ride down. It was good for me to get my technical skills tuned in."

Leuchs, who was 17th in Sydney 2000, finished third overall in a three-pronged event in Samen, Switzerland, last weekend.

He placed second in the cross country component, fourth in the 80km marathon and ninth in the street sprint, though the results have little relevance to Athens.

"I was just doing it for fitness and to get the speed going again," he said.

The next two weekends have more riding on them. He will race in two legs of the Swiss Cup and have added incentive to perform well in the Les Chaux de Fonds on August 15 given he won it last year.

Leuchs is already acquainted with the Athens cross country circuit so did not feel the need to arrive in the Greek capital any earlier than four days before the start to get his bearings.

He raced on the route last October though, perhaps not surprisingly, it was not yet finished.

From what he did experience, Leuchs is expecting a rough ride and plenty of casualties.

"It's a very rough course, with all the small rocks.

"It's going to be a really tough race on the upper body, and mentally, because you never really get a rest.

"There's also quite a lot of loose sand, which can be really tricky at speed .... so expect a lot of crashes."

- NZPA