The streets of Edinburgh staged the first night time urban DH race in the UK

It was a night of racing on the steps and paving stones of the Edinburgh streets last weekend, as the Bike Chain sponsored Fat Face Night Ride wowed 5,000 spectators.

Edinburgh marked the last stop on the multi-sport series journey, with the city transforming for the night into a world class DH course. A star-studded 300 riders tackled steps, wooden shore sections, alleyways and jumps, with a price pot totalling £3,000 at stake.

With newly crowned World Champion Ruaridh Cunningham and the Athertons in attendance, the racing was going to be anything but dull. In the end Gee Atherton claimed the fastest time of 47.62 seconds.

“The course worked very well,” Atherton said. “It’s the first time I’ve ridden anything like this and all the flashes made it very interesting for the final run.”

“The format worked well and truly displayed to a lot of newbies what downhilling is all about.”

Race Director Chris Roberts said: “I’m really stoked with the event. The Police counted between 5 to 6,000 people came out to watch – the atmosphere was electric, the cheers and shouting from the massive crowd underneath the bridge was amazing, everyone really getting involved with the event and having a really great time.”

Yes, he really did say “stoked”, and apparently without irony, too…

“What an incredible way to finish the Fat Face Night Series 2007,” Fat Face Events Manager Ian Williams added. “Seeing the thousands of spectators cheering and shouting the riders on, with Edinburgh Castle as the backdrop, is an image that will be hard to beat. Already looking forward to next year!”

Results

Men’s Elite – FAT FACE

• 1st Gee Atherton
• 2nd Dan Stanbridge
• 3rd Scott Beaumont
  

  Women’s elite – FAT FACE

• 1st Rachel Atherton
• 2nd Tracey Moseley
• 3rd Helen Gaskell
  

  Men’s Expert – FUNN COMPONENTS

• 1st Richard Cheetham
• 2nd Will Rowlands
• 3rd Michael Gray
  

  Men’s Junior – KNIGHTRIDER

• 1ST Ruaridh Cunningham
• 2nd Alex Bond
• 3rd Dan Coggan
  

  Men’s Master – CHAIN REACTIONS

• 1st Nigel Page
• 2nd Glyn O’brien
• 3rd Lance Harland
  

  Men’s Veterans – 661

• 1st David Carr
• 2nd Kevin Clark
• 3rd Peter Marcroft
  

  Men’s Senior – KONA

• 1st James Norton
• 2nd George Jones
• 3rd Andrew Woodvine
  

  Men’s Youth – MADISON

• 1ST Bernard Kerr
• 2nd Todd Kearney
• 3rd Kyle McIntosh
  

  Men’s Juvenile – SEALSKINZ TYRES

• 1st Mark Scott
• 2nd Lewis Buchanan
• 3rd Andrew Mabon
  

  Hardtail – MTB DIRECT

• 1st Nick Harewood
• 2nd Ross Haverton
• 3rd Chris Hall