World champion back on home soil to chase glory
Five-time world champion Rachel Atherton will be chasing the field when the world’s only all-female downhill mountain bike race returns to Mid-Wales this weekend.
The Red Bull Foxhunt will take place in the hills of Machynlleth tomorrow and Sunday.
Two hundred riders – ‘the hounds’ – will be given a headstart and Atherton – ‘the fox’ – will aim to overtake as many as possible.
It is the second time the 30-year-old, from Llanrhaeadr, has brought the Red Bull Foxhunt to the purpose-built course.
Set over a two-kilometre distance, the race track starts on the open grassland at the peak of the hill, descends through rolling hills as the course funnels the riders into a tighter course.
It then enters into close woodland where there are winding berms through the trees before dropping down through technical rock gardens towards the sprint into the final finish field.
Course practice and timed qualification runs take place tomorrow, followed by the main event race on Sunday.
As well as racing against Atherton, entrants will get the chance to test ride bikes and gain tips and mechanical help from experts throughout the weekend.
The whole event has a festival feel, with camping on-site, live music, DJ sets, yoga and food for all competitors.
Foxhunt aims to inspire the next generation of mountain bikers by benchmarking themselves against the world’s best on a technical downhill terrain.
