Thousands of mountain bike fans will travel to the Highlands this weekend to watch the world's fastest downhill racers compete in a "brutal" race.

More than 200 of the world's biggest stars are appearing at the Fort William stage of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and BUFF 4X Pro Tour on Saturday and Sunday.

Around 19,000 spectators are expected to watch as riders hurtle down the slopes of Aonach Mor.

British hopefuls include 2015 world champion Rachel Atherton, going for her third successive world cup circuit win this season.

Local rider Greg Williamson from Inverness and Teesside's Danny Hart will be determined to follow-up their recent world cup form as they try to secure their first Fort William title in the men's downhill.

They will battle it out with Rachel's brother, Gee Atherton, a two-time winner of the Fort William stage

Rachel Atherton said: "I'm stoked to be racing at Fort William again. Winning there last year was an amazing rush and the support from the home crowd is epic. There's such a buzz and everyone really gets behind the riders.

"The track is fierce - long, fast and brutal - with a gnarly woods section which catches a lot of riders out, so you really get to see some mad skills.

"There's no better feeling than flying through the Scotland arch into the arena and sprinting for the line."

This year's event also marks the last competitive appearance of former Downhill World Champion and mountain bike legend Steve Peat.

The fan favourite, known on the circuit as Peaty, is retiring from World Cup racing at the end of the current downhill season following a career spanning 20 years and including 17 World Cup wins, 52 World Cup podiums and one World Championship.

Tickets are still available for the event with prices starting at £8 for children aged 6 - 17 and £14 for adults.