Former champ to defend against 1,000

More than 1,000 cyclists will take on a daring endurance challenge when the 14th edition of the Strathpuffer 24 is staged in Contin this weekend.

Among the 1,001 registered riders are sporting icons Mark Beaumont and Rob Wainwright.

The record-breaking cyclist and former Scotland rugby captain are set to join fellow competitors on the start line, with a gruelling 17 hours of darkness, freezing temperatures and extended off-road course ahead.

Four-time winner Keith Forsyth will return to defend his title despite the tragic loss of his main support man and son.

“If it snows, it’s magical. You’ve got to look up”

Keith’s son and talented cyclist Ben suffered from a rare genetic heart disorder and died last summer – with organisers stating he will be warmly missed at this year’s event.

Mr Forsyth said: “It’ll be tough, tougher than ever before without Ben as team manager, but I know he’d want me to give it a go.”

Ben’s friends and former teammates will also ride the event in his memory in the Quads category with team name 56 Combined Minus 1. In 2012, Ben and three of his friends formed Team 56 Combined, winning the Quad category and the overall race.

Four-time competitor and 2018 Female Solo winner Cat Hirst is set to return to defend her title. The engineering geologist from Durham said: “If it snows, it’s magical. You’ve got to remember to look up from the handlebars and see it.”

The event begins on Saturday at 10am.