20 OCT 2016: THE THRILL OF THE CHASE

250 RIDERS TRY TO OUTRUN THE FASTEST WOMAN ON TWO WHEELS AT RED BULL FOXHUNT 2016

Now in its 3rd year, Red Bull Foxhunt is the world’s only all-female downhill mountain bike challenge. It’s an event that, much like the Jeep brand, changes the rules of the game.

Jeep brand ambassador and reigning World Champion mountain biker Rachel Atherton played the fox. But the traditional roles were reversed, as she chased down an escaping pack of rider ‘hounds’ – attempting to overtake them.

This year, that pack was bigger than ever, with over 250 female riders hoping to escape Rachel. The new course, which moved from Edinburgh to Melmerby Scar in Cumbria, was also a whole lot tougher, demanding much more from the riders.

Rachel spent the weekend taking them through the different parts of the course, giving advice on the best way to handle the varying terrain. Jeeps were also on hand on the day, to give the riders a lift up to the top.

When the chase finally started, Rachel had to deal with a punctured tyre very early on. Despite this setback, she still managed to overtake two thirds of the fleeing pack – displaying exactly the kind of Jeep spirit that Foxhunt is now famous for.