It was down and dirty as 400 mountain bike fanatics took on the Mourne Mountains in Co Down for the third annual Red Bull Foxhunt epic.

Before any nature lovers get upset the only blood spilled was from grazed knees elbows and wounded pride.  The riders took on the Mournes and Multiple World Downhill Cup Winner Gee Atherton ‘The Fox’- in a mass rush to get down through granite boulders and pine forest trails.

But this time the professional was outfoxed by local rider Colin Ross from Stoneyford who thrilled the crowd as he beat off all to take the Red Bull Fox Hunt title at Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails in Kilbroney Park.

Speaking about his win and taking home the coveted trophy Colin said “I’ve had a real blast this weekend.  The course was tough but I managed to beat a World Champion so for me, that is something pretty awesome!

The event was one of the biggest ‘Mass Starts’ in Europe and participants packed in a weekend of pure-adrenaline in the stunning surroundings where bikers hailing from all over NI, ROI and England as well as some international guests, battled the elements to race to the finish line.