Cyc: McConnell, Starr finish early

AAP General News (Australia)
08-23-2008
Cyc: McConnell, Starr finish early

BEIJING, Aug 23 AAP - Australians Daniel McConnell and Dellys Starr finished their
Olympic mountain bike races early today as searing heat made for brutal conditions.

French star Julien Absalon successfully defended his Olympic title and German Sabine
Spitz also rode strongly to win the women's race at Laoshan.

Under race rules, McConnell and Starr were pulled from their races with two laps left
because of the 80 per cent rule which means riders that are too far behind are pulled
out.

They were given finishing places - McConnell was 39th out of 48 and Starr was last out of 26.

Starr was suffering heat stress but recovered quickly without the need for an intravenous drip.

This was the Olympic debut for the two Australians and today's racing also ended the
Beijing Games cycling schedule.

AAP rhv/tdw

KEYWORD: OLY08 CYC AUST LEAD

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.