(Beijing, September 22) In the men's cross-country event of the 2007 International Mountain Bike Invitational Competition held this afternoon, Carlos Coloma Nicolas of Spain started late but came from behind to take the bronze with 2:15:49.

According to his world ranking (29th), Nicolas started today with the second group of riders. In the last few laps he began to exert all his strength and finally settled for the bronze medal.

After the race Nicolas described the course as very challenging, especially to the leading riders. However, he said he liked it which looked beautiful, and that it was a marvelous feat itself by Beijing that the Olympic course was finished one year before the Olympic Games proper. He was also impressed with the immense zeal of the event organizers and volunteers.

Cycling is a sport very popular in Spain, Nicolas noted, many people go to work or go shopping by bike. The winner of this year's Tour de France was a Spaniard, he added.