The next No Fuss Event is the Trail Half Marathon and 5km Fun Run on the 13^th of May. If you like a good laugh, excellent company (rain or shine), and a general good time, get involved and sign up to take part in some of their events or to help as a marshal. I’m sure everyone at No Fuss will agree when I say “The More the Merrier!”

The event started at Nevis Range near Fort William and the track ran through the Witch’s Trails and part of the World Championship course. Some of the riders were solo and some of them in teams of two, three, or four.

The main aim of No Fuss Events is to focus on the fun of participation rather than on competition. This participation includes the long hours endured by the marshals who worked for the entire 24 hours with minimal hours of sleep. The photos I’ve got here have some long exposures taken of the cyclists flying by one of the marshal stations in the late hours of the night. The cyclists had nothing but their head torches to light their way and the glint of the marshal station fire to guide their progress…. and also the oddly high levels of enthusiasm from the marshals at 2am to motivate their energy.

Find out more about Nevis Range, including their Winter Sports, World Class Mountain Biking  and what’s nearby including hotels,  hostels, self catering and Bed & Breakfasts, all of which are only minutes from the town centre of Fort William.  For eating and entertainment take a look at the selection of pubs and restaurants in Fort William too.

We were there having a great time and felt sorry for all you who couldn’t make it, so we quickly threw together a wee video of a few bits and bobs we shot on the day, in between trips to the beer tent of course…  A truly great event brilliant organised by all involved, if you can make it next year then do!

Please share the video with your friends and help make next years event bigger than ever!

Overall Highlight: New found affection for Tracy Moseley, winner of the women’s downhill.

Overall Lowlight: Instant realisation I’ve nae chance with Tracy Moseley, winner of the women’s downhill.

Coming soon a lovely video so keep your eyes glued to the blog for that.

South African rider Greg Minnaar took top podium place in the Men’s Downhill following a tremendous show of power and skill down the course, beating runner up Danny Hart who firmly made his mark on familiar British soil.

Minnaar also stole the prize from top British riders, Ruaridh Cunningham (17th place), Ben Cathro (19th place) and last year’s winner, Gee Atherton who came in fourth.

Fans favourite Tracy Moseley took the top prize in the Women’s Downhill after fending off fierce competition from fellow Brit Rachel Atherton in an exhilarating challenge.Tracy held her World Cup lead while scooping a record breaking fifth win at Fort William: “It’s pretty awesome as Fort William is a tough race. It’s such an amazing feeling to win in front of my home crowd – the atmosphere was electric. I’ve had a brilliant start to the year!”

Celebrating his win, Greg Minnaar said: “It’s so great to win here in Fort William, it’s been a good weekend! I’ve been a strong contestant for the last two years and lost out to Gee Atherton last year so it’s great to take it home for South Africa this year.”

Commenting on his second place position, an ecstatic Danny Hart said: “It’s been an awesome weekend and I nearly closed in on the competition. I’ve kept my sensible head on all the way through so it’s been relatively easy to stay focused.”

MEN’S DOWNHILL FINAL RESULTS

1. Greg Minnaar RSA (4:43.854)

2.  Danny Hart GBR (4:45.153)

3.  Brook Macdonald NZL (4:45.788)

4.  Gee Atherton GBR  (4:46.858)

5. Aaron Gwin USA (4:47.047)

WOMEN’S DOWNHILL FINAL RESULTS

1. Tracy Moseley GBR (5:21:898)

2. Rachel Atherton GBR (5:23:619)

3. Floriane Pugin FRA (5:29:428)

4. Myrian Nicole FRA (5:30:49)

5.  Sabrina Jonnier FRA (5:31:970)

Start of the mountain bike world cup in Fort William today, it’s been great weather, great action, great beer tent and soon to be great hangover.

Highlight: seeing Dougie Vipond. Lowlight: Being blanked by Dougie Vipond,

Here are the results of todays qualifications:

MEN’S DH QUALIFICATION: (Top 10)

1.       Aaron Gwin USA  (4:49.73)

2.       Gee Atherton GBR (4:43.87)

3.       Danny Hart GBR (4:41.01)

4.       Greg Minnaar RSA (4:52.49)

5.       Matti Lehikoinen FIN (4:43.76)

6.       Justin Leov NZL (4:54.33)

7.       Andrew Neethling RSA (4:45.06)

8.       Marc Beaumont GBR (4:45.44)

9.       Chris Kovarik AUS (4:45.76)

10.   Nick Beer SUI (4:47.03)

WOMEN’S DH QUALIFICATION: (Top 5)
1. Rachel Atherton GBR (5:35.805)

2. Tracy Moseley GBR (5:36.003)

3. Floriane Pugin FRA (5:38.717)

4. Myriam Nicole FRA (5:42.350)

5. Manon Carpenter GBR (5:43.520)