An estimated record crowd of 25,000 mountain biking fans descended on Fort William at the weekend for one of the most popular events in the sporting calendar.
Last year, a crowd of 22,000 attended the downhill action at the UCI Fort William Mountain Bike World Cup.
But last night, Fort William-based councillor Allan Henderson, who attended over the weekend, called this year’s spectacle “bigger and better than ever.”
He added: “It was magnificent to be there. The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic and it was full of thrills and spills.
“I would certainly say there were places on the hill I would have known to be full of spaces before where this year there was no space available.
“There were huge numbers of cars in Blar Mor using the park and ride, and there were more buses taking people out from Fort William, so I certainly think it was ‘one up’ on anything we have had here before.
“We are in the bed and breakfast business and the number of phone calls this year has been huge. The organisers were giving information out to look further out than Fort William, and people were heading in the Oban direction and Mallaig direction.”
Press and Journal sports reporter Andy Skinner was once again covering the event, which is in its 16th year and the only UK leg of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.
He said this year’s crowd felt bigger than previous years and estimated it to be “pushing on for 25,000 people.”
He added that there was a significantly higher police presence this year, in the wake of the recent London and Manchester attacks.
Yesterday, the crowds cheered riders through every jump, slide and cross of the finish line, and winced at a number of crashes in some muddy conditions.
The weather stayed warm despite a cloudburst towards the end of the afternoon, but this – as well as the midges – failed to dampen spirits.
South African Greg Minnaar won the men’s downhill for the third consecutive year – and seventh time overall.
He has become a crowd favourite and numerous South African flags were on display.
The event, which is supported by EventScotland and Highland Council, is the second stage on the UCI World Cup Downhill calendar.
