Nys makes Olympic training plan

Sven Nys' coach is already making specific training plans to prepare the star cyclo-cross rider to compete in the mountain bike events at the Beijing Olympic Games. The #1 ranked rider will preview the Beijing mountain bike course in May on a converted cyclo-cross bike rather than a standard mountain bike.

"There is nothing against this in the regulations, and on that parcours it is certainly an option," said Belgian coach Rudy De Bie in Het Laaste Nieuws.

With cyclo-cross not on the Olympic agenda, Nys, who dominates the 'cross circuit, is a former Belgian mountain bike champion, but third on the list for the Belgian Olympic mountain bike squad behind Roel Paulisson and Filip Meirhaeghe.

"On March 31, Sven will start his preparations for the Games. His first pick is planned for the mountain bike European championships in Sankt Wendel," Paul Van den Bosch told Sporza.be. "After that there are two big competitions on the agenda: The World Cup in Fort William and the World Championships," he said.

Nys had previously discounted his Olympic hopes after having trouble competing in hot weather, but his coach has a plan to tackle that weakness. "July and August will be entirely dominated by specific training and adaptation to the extreme heat."

"The signs are now all pointing in the same direction: direction east. Hopefully we will return at the end of August satisfied: direction west."