Red Bull Hill Chasers cycling event hits Edinburgh

Crowds took to the streets of Edinburgh at the weekend when more than 3,000 spectators watched Scotland’s first Red Bull Hill Chasers cycling event in the Old Town.

The event was held throughout the day in Edinburgh, with competitors taking on the uphill challenge in the Grassmarket and Victoria Street.

It is the first time the competition has been hosted in Scotland, having previously been held in Bristol and Malaysia.

Organisers said about 3,000 onlookers turned up to cheer the cyclists on.

With more than 500 entrants, a series of head-to-head heats rounds whittled it down to 30 finalists.

Liam Moynihan, a 22-year-old student from Fort William, in the west Highlands, came in first place with a time of 18.748 seconds, earning him the King of the Hill title.

The Red Bull Hill Chasers challenge is said to be the UK’s only multi-discipline uphill cycling race, with participants taking part on BMXs and mountain, fix gear and road bikes.

Pro-riders Danny MacAskill, Michal Prokop, Toms Alsbergs and last year’s winner Ben Simmons were all invited to take part.

Mr Moynihan, who participated on a road bike, said: “I have slightly sore legs, but that was fun.

“I do most of my racing with my friend Joe Barnes, who is also pro, so I thought he might give me a run for my money, and a few of the other boys are really fast as well so I’m happy to beat them.”

Mr MacAskill said: “It was great to be here in Edinburgh to take part in Red Bull Hill Chasers, but as my trials bike doesn’t have gears I didn’t have the speed needed to get up the hill.

“It was great to see the crowds lining the streets to watch Liam race to victory - congratulations mate.”