Red Bull Raises the Bar

Red Bull was the proud sponsor of yet another hardcore mountainbike event, this time in the tiny Scottish town of Innerleithen. The 3 minute plus course used will become the Project Downhill DH and should be open year round. Four up DH style was a far cry from the Freeride Rampage, but top World Cup contenders were there ripping it up. Wil Longdon took top honors and the £750 cash prize followed closely by Nigel Page (£500) and Dan Atherton (£250). Top qualifier Steve Peat failed to advance to the finals when he was "bounced" out by Longdon on their semi fianl run. On the women's side, a very narrow field of just 6 showed up (prize money equalled men's) and Tracey Moseley topped the field with Fionn Griffiths in second and Helen Gaskell in third. The next Red Bull sponsored mountainbike event I'm aware of is the Freeride Championships in Australia from January 26 -- February 2nd, 2002. It's nice to see sponsors like this stepping up to the plate, be sure to support them where you can!