Rachel Atherton has been forced to pull out of her annual Foxhunt this year after she suffered a shoulder injury at the World Championships in Cairns.

Rach was due to chase down a field of 200 women on a brand new course near her hometown in Machynlleth, Wales but will now have to pass over that responsibility to her Trek Factory Racing team mate, Katy Winton.

Winton has been smashing it on the Enduro World Series this year, including a career best second place in Wicklow, so don’t think you’ll have it any easier if you’ve already got your entry in. Rach will still be on site but will instead be trackside offering advice and encouragement to the women on course.

Rachel Atherton said about the event, “I crashed at the World Champs and broke my collarbone so I had to have an operation, which means I can’t take part in this year’s Red Bull Foxhunt. When I crashed I was completely devastated, the only thing I cared about is that I couldn’t do Foxhunt with all you awesome shredders”.

She went on to add, “The good news is my Trek Factory Racing Enduro teammate Katy Winton is going to take my place and be the fox at this year’s event. She’s had a cracking season and is a future champion for sure so I know it’s going to be a great event. I’m still going to be there, I will be on track, giving you tips and hanging out with you in the event village after. I’m really gutted I can’t be riding with you, but I will definitely be there.”