World beater opens Cream O’ The Croft Bike Festival

World record-beating cyclist Mark Beaumont has officially opened a new mountain bike trail near his old Crieff training ground.

Fresh from a record-breaking tour of Africa, the 32-year-old launched the highly anticipated Comrie Croft circuit in a ceremony on Saturday.

The launch was a highlight of the Cream O’ The Croft Bike Festival, which attracted hundreds of enthusiasts from around the country.

Mark said the site offered riders a “fantastic mix of trails that suit all skill levels”.

He was joined by local MSP Roseanna Cunningham, who said: “Comrie Croft is a really innovative local business constantly looking for new ways to expand and improve the service and facilities on offer to visitors and to the wider area.”

The centrepiece of this weekend’s festival was the Funduro, an eight-stage endurance challenge for bikers, featuring timed runs, a dual slalom and hill climb.

Visitors were also entertained by an line-up of live music in the evening.