Racing mountain bikes is frequently compared to time trialling on the road, because drafting doesn’t play a huge role, and racers are often strung out and isolated, racing against their own limitations as much as against their rivals.

There are two upsides to this: When you crash, you typically have a soft landing and you don’t end up at the bottom of a dog pile bristling with angry racers and frayed carbon fiber.

Let’s demonstrate with this astonishing video from a recent track race in Melbourne, Australia.

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