Redbull Foxhunt returning to Rostrevor

by Gráinne Connolly

Redbull is bringing it's so called 'Foxhunt' back to Rostrevor this Autumn. 

Now in it's 7th edition of the downhill mountain bike event, we'll see over 550 riders take to the summit of Slieve Martin to try and out run the three "foxes" which are pro riders. 

Organisers of the event say this year the group of foxes is made up of some of the world's fastest bike riders. 

Current World Champion, Loic Bruni, will make his second appearance at Red Bull Foxhunt. 

He will be joined by veteran fox, Gee Atherton and Irish rider and Red Bull athlete, Greg Callaghan.

The 3.5km course of downhill trails, inlcudes the open-mountain moorland, rock gardens and steep forest trails. 

We're told riders will reach speeds in excess of 60km/h, to battle cross the line ahead of the three foxes. 

All three foxes will be held for a few seconds before the chase begins.

Ahead of his first time as a fox, Greg Callaghan said, "“I’ve never been a fox before so I’m kind of scared!

"There are so many riders there and it’s at home so I’ll probably know half of them and I can’t be too mean to them! Anyone I take out will know exactly where to come to see me afterwards!”

The Dubliner won the event back in 2012 but some time has passed since then and he’s now risen to be one of the biggest names in the Enduro World Series, ranking third in the world during the 2017 season.

Registration for Red Bull Foxhunt will be open on 1 August at 12 noon at RedBull.ie/Foxhunt

The actual event will take place in October.