Abstract des Autors

The apparently crazy idea of riding down the ski slopes at top speed on a mountain bike took shape in the mind of Frenchman Christian Taillefer in 1992 on the occasion of an improvised dual race with a skier in Vars (France). In 1994, he had already reached the speed of 147km/h. This marked the beginning of a race for records and competitions where bikers and stuntmen clash. In 1996, Eric Baronne reached the mythical 200km/h before fixing the record at 222.22 km/h in 2000. In the media the representation of the MTB as a speed bike was then reinforced during that period and the manufacturers involved in this mad adventure consequently enhanced the quality and robustness of their products. The “snow bike” riding in a downhill slalom and the “ice bike” racing on a circuit, are among the additional versions of riding MTB on the snow. This example shows to what extent winter sports and outdoor activities diversified and became real spectacles. This research is based on a study of the general and specialized press throughout the period 1992-2000. Although mountain biking remains a summer sport, its practice during the winter months confirms its intrinsic qualities which enable it to move easily between summer and winter. In this article, the idea of mountain bike speed races, held on snow during the twentieth century, illustrates how the sport took the world stage of winter sports. (geändert)