Cyclists to head to Perth for Fair City Enduro.

Enduro attracts riders from across UK and Europe for only Scottish qualifier in World Series

Hundreds of mountain bikers are heading to Perth to battle for the honour of competing on the world stage.

And the riders will be hoping their stage times are as fast as Fair City Enduro ticket sales – with the event selling out in record time.

The 25km mountain bike race is Scotland’s only Enduro World Series (EWS) qualifier of 2018 – a format that sees top-class bikers compete in international locations from Canada to Colombia.

The 420 riders at the Perth event will head out from the city centre on Saturday October 27 and take on six stages strung through the hills and forests surrounding the city.

Organisers are encouraging fancy dress for the sixth year in a row so not every competitor will be eyeing a podium finish, with the focus staying firmly on Halloween fun.

Aaron Gray, organiser at Muckmedden Events, which is putting on the race, said: “We now have the perfect opportunity to showcase Perthshire as a world-class mountain biking destination. We’ve got some great stages lined up for the riders and it should be another spectacular weekend of mountain biking in the Fair City.

“It’s testament to the growing reputation of the Fair City Enduro that it has been selected as Scotland’s only EWS Qualifier event of 2018. We’ve attracted a large contingent of riders from across the UK and Europe this year and we’re delighted to have sold out so quickly.”

Perth is the sole Scottish leg among 50 official EWS qualifiers spread across 25 countries and four continents. Mr Gray said organisers were not going to let the accolade get in the way of the race’s unique atmosphere.

“I didn’t want anything to detract from the light-hearted and family focused feel of the event and I’m pleased to say that the EWS element is only relevant to those riders who are looking to achieve a place on the fabled Enduro World Series Reserve List,” he said.

“Fancy dress is still actively encouraged, and it would be fantastic to see a rider dressed as a giant carrot qualifying for the 2019 World Series.”

Chris Ball, Enduro World Series director, said: “We are always looking for exciting new events and venues to enhance the series and felt that Fair City Enduro fitted the bill very well.

“Perth is one of Scotland’s most vibrant small cities and the event has an excellent reputation within mountain biking circles.”

It would be fantastic to see a rider dressed as a giant carrot qualifying for the 2019 World Series. AARON GRAY

Hundreds of mountain bikers are heading to Perth to battle for the honour of competing on the world stage. The bikers will be hoping their stage times are as fast as Fair City Enduro ticket sales.