THOUSANDS of mountain biking fans from all over the UK flocked to the Tweed Valley at the weekend.

The Tweedlove International Enduro attracted the cream of the sport for two days of thrilling riding around Innerleithen and Glentress.

And the biggest cheers of the day were saved for the growing number of local riders who were in contention throughout.

Stow's Ruaridh Cunningham was nip-and-tuck with Greg Callaghan from Dublin throughout the seven stages in the Elite Men's race.

The former Junior Downhill World Champion was eventually edged into second by just a few seconds, with Edinburgh's Mark Scott taking third.

Another local rider also raced to Elite silver.

Katy Winton from the Manor Valley was hot on the heels of world champion Tracey Moseley for the entire Elite Women's race.

And a fall was to cost Calum Grant of Peebles in the Junior Men's race, finishing in second behind Jake Gilfillan.

Gary Forrest from Eshiels, who broke his back in five places last year, was the popular winner of the Masters category after his impressive fifth-place finish in the Elite race.

And 15-year-old Ben Balfour from Peebles, who was the youngest rider in the Elite race, was cheered around every corner as he caught the eye with impressive stage times.

Cardrona's Thomas Mitchell also rode well throughout the weekend, finishing just outside the top ten in the Elite race.

But the biggest winner of the Tweedlove International Enduro had to be the sport itself with thousands of youngsters enjoying the attractions of the Expo as well as the big names who had pedalled into town.

A total of 550 riders took part over the two days.

Back at the Expo in Peebles more than 50 trade and food stalls were set up as well as pump tracks and skills courses for younger riders.

Fiona Dalgliesh, who is from the TweedLove organising committee, told us: "The pro riders were being mobbed by autograph hunters - they are all proper famous here in the Tweed Valley, and I'm sure they enjoyed all the attention.

"I don't think I've ever seen so many people out on an enduro course to cheer on the riders. There were crowds of people on every stage and the Expo was really busy from the Friday evening all the way through to Sunday night.

"The feedback from the riders has been amazing."

The TweedLove Festival continues this week.