Gallery: First day at cross country MTB Worlds

Racing got underway on Thursday at the cross country portion of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Saalfelden, Austria. Cyclingnews took a trip around the 4.5km course as racers practiced for the team relay later in the day and other upcoming events. The following gallery captures some of what it's like to be at the 2012 Worlds.

Friday's racing will include cross country events for the U23 men and women and the junior women.  Stay tuned to Cyclingnews for full coverage.

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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews.  She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.