THE region's top mountain bikers made home advantage pay at the weekend as the UK’s premier enduro series rolled into the Tweed Valley.

Several Innerleithen riders were already leading the Scottish Enduro Series ahead of Sunday's race.

But a crash during Saturday's practice for Janey Kennedy, riding for Go Where Scotland, and Lewis Buchanan riding for Trek Factory Racing at the Enduro World Series in Canada meant the top spots were up for grabs.

Despite this, it was still Innerleithen-based riders who took the main category wins.

Gary Forrest, riding for Ibis Bikes, won the Elite Male category in 22.34 minutes and Nicki Moore took the Female category in a time of 30.54 minutes.

The future champions of the sport continue to develop through the National Series with Polly Henderson, riding for Female Riders Race Team, winning the Junior Female category in an amazing time of 28.36 minutes and Corey Watson, riding for i-cycles, taking the Junior Male category in 24.32 minutes.

Held over six special timed stages in Caberston and Traquair forests, Round 4 of the Series was always going to be tough with some of Scotland's steepest and toughest trails to draw from.

A gruelling1800 metres of climbing was included in a 40km loop, which provided over 22 minutes of racing.

Race day was basked in glorious sunshine and the first stage of the day was the result of a collaboration between event organisers No Fuss Events and Forestry Commission Scotland.

A classic trail first raced around 25 years ago had been lost to thinning works, but following extensive work by local trail builders, it was ready to be raced again in all its glory.

In the end the top four riders were separated by only 10 seconds following some thrilling stages.

Course designer Duncan Nisbet told us: “Although the stages combined many trails that would be familiar to the local riders, I take great care in marking the stages in a way that will be unfamiliar to all.

"This makes the practice days all the more important in order to seek out those all-important fast lines."

The race was based at Victoria Park in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and Leithen Rovers AFC with the football pitch protected by organisers.

No external caterers were brought in to allow the town’s businesses to benefit from the event and many took up the opportunity to provide offers to competitors over the course of the weekend.

Frazer Coupland from No Fuss Events explained: “We’ve been working with the local business community over a number of weeks in order to ensure the maximum economic return for the area and we’re delighted at the response we’ve received and in particular the special offers made available to over 300 competitors."

Overall: 1st Gary Forrest, Ibis, 22:34.16, 2nd Christopher Gallagher, Progression Bikes Racing, 22:37.53, 3rd Peter Williams, 22:41.62.

Senior Male: 1st Calum Grant, Peebles CC, 24:38.46, 2nd Jamie Todd, Leslie Bike Shop/Bikers Boutique 25:00.54, 3rd Ross Johnston, 25:42.11.

Senior Female: 1st Nicki Moore, 30:54.17, 2nd Eilidh Wells, Basecamp Bikes, 31:35.01, 3rd Lynette Deacon, 33:10.50.

Junior Male: 1st Corey Watson, I-cycles, 24:32.48, 2nd Sam Conolly, 25:26.96, 3rd Gregor Nixon, Xtreme Bike Shop, 25:33.20.

Junior Female: 1st Polly Henderson, Female Riders Race Team, 28:36.55, 2nd Ella Conolly, 28:39.34, 3rd Louise Ferguson, 32:04.82.

Veteran Male: 1st Crawford Carrick-Anderson, 25:04.08, 2nd John Mcneil, 26:21.64, 3rd Zac Hubery, 26:24.57.

Masters: 1st Bradly Illingworth, Start Fitness, 24:07.94, 2nd, Bob Slaney, Chocolatiers Edward & Irwyn, 25:25.57, 3rd Phillip Ashcroft, Dave's Squirrel Emporium, 25:48.55.

Full results and further information is available at: www.scottishenduroseries.co.uk