ADRENALINE junkies Tom Moore and Aiden Coulthard of Copeland have taken part in a high-speed downhill bike race in the French Alps.

Tom, 24, of Gosforth and Aiden, 22, of Egremont competed in the Mega on behalf of Bike Park Dent Mountain Racing Team.

Both riders clinched their place in the final 2,600 vertical metre race by reaching the top 35 of the qualifiers.

The Mega sees bikers hurtle down the summit of Pic Blanc in Huex and the race begins at the Alpe d’Huex ski resort.

Although a problem with his bike left Tom unable to finish, he found competing in such a high-level race to be a special experience: “Being up in the Alps, it’s the best place for mountain biking,” he said, “It’s like ticking something off the list.” The mega is different to other downhill races. Rather than individual time trials, bikers all set off together.

Bike Park Dent Mountain Racing Team train together on the fells and trails of Cumbria, Tom said: “We get out 2 to 3 times a week as a group. We get out on the fells a lot.”

And the training appears to be paying off as Aiden took the 44th place out of 2,000 people top downhill racers.

Director of the William King Brickwork Solutions, Will King, said: “This was a massive step up for the lads. Racing in high alpine mountain terrain against some of the world’s top professionals is a fantastic achievement. We are proud to be one of the business sponsors this year.”

Aiden said: “We got to know Will up the local biking trails which we have been riding for years. The sponsorship from William King is a great support for the upcoming race season. We welcome further support from local businesses – if anyone is interested in finding out more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tom on 07860 467118.”