Mountain bikers’ World Cup challenge

THE world’s best mountain bikers descended on Yorkshire last night along with hordes of fans for the sport’s biggest annual event, set against the backdrop of the beautiful North York Moors.

The Dalby World Cup got underway in Pickering town centre with the opening party and a sprint race challenge.

The three-day event continues today when the cyclists head deep into Dalby Forest. Today’s action includes junior and under-23 World Cup racing, along with the public Dalby Dare Challenge. The main elite men’s and women’s races take place tomorrow.

The gruelling four-mile course combines man-made tracks with natural woodland trail, and proved a huge hit after being chosen for the World Cup cross-country leg for the first time last year.