Absalon successfully defends title in Men's Cross Country Mountain Bike

Julien Absalon celebrates

Julien Absalon competes

(L-R) Jean Christophe Peraud, Julien Absalon and Nino Schurter

(BEIJING, August 23) -- Defending Olympic champion and four-time world champion Julien Absalon of France cruised to victory in the Men's Cross Country Mountain Bike, clocking 1:55:59 hours, 1:07 minutes faster than compatriot Jean-Christophe Peraud, who came in second. Bronze went to Switzerland's Nino Schurter in 1:57:52.

Date of Birth:	Aug 16 1980	Height(cm/ft in):	180cm / 5'11"
Gender:	Male	Weight(kg/lbs):	69 kg / 152 lbs
Place of Birth:	Remiremont (France)
Residence:	Saint-Amé (France)
Sport:	Cycling - Mountain Bike
Event(s):	Men's Cross Country

Rank	Event	Year	Venue	Result
Olympic Games
1	Cross Country	2004	Athens, GRE	2:15:02
World Championships
1	Cross Country	2007	Fort William, GBR	2:17:06
1	Cross Country	2006	Rotorua, NZL	2:09:07
1	Cross Country	2005	Livigno, ITA	2:07:34
1	Cross Country	2004	Les Gets, FRA	2:20:37
	Cross Country	2008	Val di Sole, ITA	DNF
World Cup
1	Cross Country	2008	Houffalize, BEL	2:06:56
1	Cross Country	2008	Offenburg, GER	1:58:42
1	Cross Country	2008	Madrid, ESP	2:12:30
1	Cross Country	2007	Offenburg, GER	2:18:54
1	Cross Country	2007	Champéry, SUI	2:12:44
1	Cross Country	2007	Mount Saint Anne, CAN	1:54:49
1	Cross Country	2007	Saint-Félicien, CAN	2:07:56
1	Cross Country	2006	Madrid, ESP	2:02:18
1	Cross Country	2006	Spa, BEL	2:14:53
1	Cross Country	2006	Fort William, GBR	2:16:34
1	Cross Country	2005	Spa, BEL	1:57:53
1	Cross Country	2005	Madrid, ESP	2:06:11
1	Cross Country	2004	Schladming, AUT	1:55:39
2	Cross Country	2007	Houffalize, BEL	2:05:10
2	Cross Country	2006	Curaçao, AHO	1:49:13
3	Cross Country	2006	Mount Saint Anne, CAN	2:03:24
3	Cross Country	2005	Willingen, GER	2:00:14
3	Cross Country	2004	Madrid, ESP	2:01:59
3	Cross Country	2004	Houffalize, BEL	2:07:02