If you fancy seeing some of the world’s top downhillers racing without trekking all the way up into the highlands, then head for Innerleithen this weekend.

Top names such as Steve Peat (Uk no1), Will Longden, Crawford
Carrick-Anderson and Rob Warner are just some of the British names competing this weekend in order to sharpen up their skills ready for the World
Championships. International stars like Chris Kovaric and Vanessa Quinn plus riders from America and South Africa have also booked into this weekend’s race at the Forestry Commission/Red Bull venue at Innerleithen.

Neil Stoddart, who manages the Innerleithen Downhill site in the Scottish Borders says around 300 riders are expected:
“Many riders from all over are seeing the Innerleithen event as warm up for the World Cup event the following week. They’ll be getting all the practice in possible to prepare for some of the fastest downhill mountain biking ever to be seen in Britain.”

“If the public want a taste of what they’ll see at the World Cup they are more than welcome to come along and watch the Innerleithen race – we are expecting quite a crowd! There’s massive jumps on the course so you can be sure to see some big air!”
The Innerleithen event this weekend is part of the National Points Series. Practice sessions start on Saturday to determine seeding and the race proper is held on the Sunday.

The World Cup event is being held on Forestry Commission ground at the Nevis Range, just outside Fort William, on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2 June.

For more details on biking in Forestry Commission forests log onto the FE Recreation site.