The Hope Endurance Downhill took place last weekend in very muddy style. Its one of the most extreme and challenging downhill mountain biking endurance races in the UK where 80 riders battle it out over 6 hours to be crowned King Of The Hill.

James Shirley, a downhill rider from Roxy Bridge in Lochaber was crowned the winner at the internationally renowned World Championship downhill track at Nevis Range near Fort William.

The riders managed a total of 870 runs and covered a staggering distance of 2453.4 km.

Seven of the riders equalled one another completing 16 stamina draining runs in the allotted 6 hours. James Shirley, who came second in last years competition completed his 16 descents in a total of 1:36:50 (not including gondola rides and pit stops) giving him an average time of 6 minutes 03 seconds per run, to take first place. Chris Hutchens, a rider from the MTB Cut Cycle Jersey team, averaged 6 minutes 9 seconds despite having a broken chain and freewheeling 14 of his laps. Alistair MacLennan, a first placed veteran rider came in third for the second year running in a total time of 1:38:45.

Hutchens teammate James Scott suffered the same problem losing his chain on his sixth run. Remarkably he still managed to be the top junior rider and finish fourth overall.

Frazer Coupland from No Fuss Events, organisers of the Hope Downhill Endurance said, We are again extremely happy with the way the race went and are delighted that Hope are interested in being sponsor again next year. We would also like to announce that next year competitors will be able to compete in teams of two, although spaces will be limited.

Unique to this event was the Le Mans style start where riders had to sprint their way along a forestry track to get their bikes and begin. It was then a race up to the bottom of the top gondola station where they joined the track for the first run.

For full results see: http://www.nofussevents.co.uk/