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In pictures: New bike track proves a hit with riders at world event

News imagePete Scullion A bike rider is upside down over a track with other riders looking on and a large granite building in the background.Pete Scullion
A new £720,000 track in Dalbeattie hosted a world championship qualifying event at the weekend

A new bike track in the south of Scotland been credited with creating the "perfect atmosphere" for a world championship qualifier at the weekend.

The Dalbeattie pump track - a cycling circuit of loops, bumps and turns - was built at a cost of more than £700,000 as part of the wider £8m Rocks and Wheels redevelopment of a former school building.

Organisers Velosolutions said Scotland had "put on a show" for its event.

In addition to the bike track a 52-bed bunkhouse, 100-seat cafe, indoor bouldering facility and community rooms for hire are part of the development.

News imagePete Scullion A rider dressed in white on a black bike takes off on a bump on a trackPete Scullion
Pump tracks are a mix of bumps, loops and twists and turns

Velosolutions said riders from 10 different nations had lined up.

It praised the passionate spectators and outstanding local organisers creating the perfect atmosphere for a day of close racing.

News imagePete Scullion A cyclist in white gear with a black helmet takes his hands off the handle bars of his bike while it is up in the air.Pete Scullion
The track helps riders - from beginners to the more expert - to perfect their skills

The women's competition saw Slovakia's Kristína Madarásová rise to the top of a strong international field and secure her place at the world championships in Beijing.

She saw off France's Lauryne Sutur in second place with Sweden's Felicia Klingström completing the podium.

News imagePete Scullion A general scene of cyclists, spectators and a large, granite former school building in the backgroundPete Scullion
The track is part of the wider £8m Rocks and Wheels project

The men's field delivered some of the tightest racing of the day.

Sweden's Albin Johansson won by just 0.132 seconds to take the spot in China ahead of Axel Durand of France.

Slovakia's Daniel Hradský finished third.

News imagePete Scullion A little boy in a blue top and T-shirt sits on his bike with a red helmet onPete Scullion
It is hoped the event could help inspire the next generation of bike riders

Hosts Rocks and Wheels said it had been an "amazing weekend".

"This has been an awesome way to open our new track with the UCI pump track world championships qualifiers," it said.

News imagePete Scullion A young rider in black with a white helmet on goes round a bend on the trackPete Scullion
The weekend was the first major test for the new track

"It was awesome seeing the pump track being used.

"We hope the juniors who took part in the coaching sessions enjoyed it and picked up some crucial tips."

News imagePete Scullion A crowd of children on bikes and parents stands behind a woman in a red top with jeans who is explaining something to themPete Scullion
Local youngsters also got a chance to try out the track along with elite racers
News imagePete Scullion A bike handlebar with the number 31 on the frontPete Scullion
The event was a qualifier for the UCI World Championships
News imageKaptur Photographie Trophies from the Dalbeattie pump track race in front of the granite buildingKaptur Photographie
The elite races were closely contested
News imagePete Scullion Two bike riders - one man and one woman - hold up trophies and signs saying Beijing, China. The man has a black baseball cap on back to front with a black top and white bottoms. The woman has a Slovakia top on and black bottoms.Pete Scullion
The winners of the elite races will make their way to Beijing in China