Katie Wakeley Keep Rachel Atherton Behind Her To Win Red Bull Foxhunt In Machynlleth

Katie Wakeley held her nerve to hold off mountain bike downhill world champion Rachel Atherton and win the 2018 Red Bull Foxhunt at Machynlleth.

Atherton was forced to miss the 2017 event due to injury, but returned this year on the back of a successful downhill season.

The 30-year-old fended off Tahnée Seagrave for a record sixth overall World Cup title, then dominated in Lenzerheide to win her fifth World Championship gold.

But in mid-Wales, she faced the unique prospect of trying to hunt down 200 skilled downhill bikers in the all-female race over a tricky 2km course.

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First-timer Wakeley was the first rider to cross the finish line with a superb time of 02:59:75 followed by Francie Arthur and Stacey Fisher for the podium spots.

Atherton raced hard and fair as usual and managed to hunt down over one hundred of the riders on the track to finish 40th in the glorious autumn weather.

She said: “What an absolute buzz! It’s been perfect with the sun and the track is perfect with loads of line choice up there. Everyone has really pushed themselves and has massive smiles on their faces.”

The event took place over two days, with course practice and timed qualification runs taking place on Saturday 29th September, followed by the main event race on Sunday 30th September.

The female riders, the hounds, took on a purpose built, 2km technical course in a bid to outride the Fox and the best downhill racer in the world,  Atherton.

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The hounds were released with a head start shortly followed by Atherton, who was challenged to overtake as many riders as possible. The winner, Wakeley, was the first rider to reach the finish line.

Riders had to race over open grassland, woodland berms and technical rock sections before the sprint to the finish field.

Wakeley rode to victory in 02:59.75. After the race she said: “This is my first time doing it [Red Bull Foxhunt] so I’m really pumped to be here and riding. The format is awesome!

“It’s the first time I’ve ridden an event like this – it’s a one-off mass-start race. I’ve had a really good weekend and the weather has been so good this weekend. It feels amazing to win”.

Atherton, who is now the most decorated downhill mountain biker of all time, is involved in Red Bull Foxhunt as her way of supporting the sport at a grassroots level.

The event’s aim is to encourage more females to ride bikes and ultimately get involved in racing at both entry level and on the racing circuit.

Now in its fifth year, Red Bull Foxhunt provides first time experiences of racing for women of all ages and skill levels, showing that females can start to race mountain bikes at any age.