Race Report: Red Bull Foxhunt - Chased by the World Campion

This weekend saw hundreds of female downhill mountain bikers take on the Pentland Hills, just outside Edinburgh, in a bid to out-ride multiple World Champion, Rachel Atherton, at Red Bull Foxhunt.

Downhill World Champion Rachel Atherton played the fox and was chased down the hill by a group of hundreds of riders — Downhill World Champion Rachel Atherton played the fox and chased down the hill to overtake a group of hundreds of riders

The fox had a ten second advantage before the crowd went on a hunt — The fox had a ten second disadvantage after the crowd went on track

The rise in popularity of women’s cycling was clear to see as the first ever female only edition of this innovative race saw over 100 riders at the starting gate. With the magnificent Firth of Forth providing the backdrop to the race, and with a ten seconds head start over one of the world’s best riders, the competitors wasted no time in racing down the challenging course.

Rachel Atherton on the challenging, 3km long track near Edinburgh

Dressed in tweed, hundreds of female riders set off to catch the fox — Dressed in tweed, hundreds of female riders set off to stay in front of the fox

With a ten second disadvantage, Rachel had to put down an aggressive run

At the end of the 3km course, 17 year old Elena Melton, from Grantown-on-Spey in north Scotland emerged victorious, managing to keep in front of the fox. Speaking of her victory she said, “It is awesome to have won the first ever female Red Bull Foxhunt, I am so proud. Although I have ridden cross country since I was 11, I have only been riding downhill for a year and Rachel Atherton is a real inspiration to me”

Claire Bennett, Rachel Atherton, Elena Melton, Elaine Hopley celebrating at Red bull Foxhunt in the Pentland Hills in Edinburgh

Having offered a few tips and techniques to the competitors the day before, Rachel was impressed with the level of riding, “It was great to see so many women come out to compete at the first ever female Foxhunt. World Cup racing is against the clock so it was different to chase down such a big pack of racers and they certainly made it difficult for me. Bring on next year!”

More information on www.redbull.com

Words & Pictures: Red Bull Foxhunt PR

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Race Report: Red Bull Foxhunt – Chased by the World Campion

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