The hunters become the hunted…

You’ve got to hand it to the team at Red Bull, they come up with some cracking events. The Foxhunt is female only and involves being chased down the hill by none other than Rachel Atherton (the ‘fox’). The ‘pack’ get a bit of a head start but it really does become a bit of a blood sport as Rachel speeds past riders. If you make it to the finish before Rachel overtakes you then you live to tell the tale (or should that be tail!?). Here’s the official blurb from Red Bull.

RED BULL FOXHUNT – BACK FOR 2016

Bull Foxhunt with Jeep is back for 2016. The women’s only edition of this innovative race heads to an exciting new location this October, with double the number of competitors set to take part as they try to outride the best female downhill racer in the world – Rachel Atherton.

Traditional roles will once again be reversed, as the hunters become the hunted, and a mass start will see 200 competitors playing the part of the hounds as they go up against Rachel over 1st & 2nd October.

For the first time, Cumbria will host the chase as this innovative race heads to the Eden Valley, where a new course at Melmerby Scar will test the riders technical ability as they look to stay ahead of reigning downhill MTB world champion Rachel Atherton over a challenging 3km course. The event takes place over the full weekend, to include practice runs, seeding and the main event, against a festival backdrop of entertainment and refreshments for the female downhill MTB community to enjoy.

Speaking about the event, Rachel Atherton said, “I’m stoked to announce the return of Red Bull Foxhunt! The last two years have been so much fun and with a new venue this year it’s going to be the best Foxhunt ever! I’m really looking forward to chasing down such a great crowd of women again – and to bettering my amount of overtakes from last year”

With double the number of female riders set to take part in a new, more challenging downhill course for 2016, she added: “Even better we’ve increased the entries to 200 spots this year – so more female riders than ever can sign up for an exciting race and a great weekend”

“Melmerby Scar will be a fantastic setting for this year’s race so get your entries in fast! “

Entries for Red Bull Foxhunt will go live on Thursday 18th Aug at 10am via redbull.co.uk/foxhunt