Quayside motorcycle event draws crowds

Wallsend-born champion Billy Bolt was one of the designers of the course

Thousands of people packed Newcastle's quayside to watch off-road motorcyclists compete in what has been described as the world's toughest urban head-to-head race.

The Red Bull Tyne Ride, inspired by motocross, BMX and action sports, took place on a specially-built, mostly dirt-track.

Five times World Champion - Wallsend-born Billy Bolt - and one of the designers of the course, was among those taking part.

He said it was wonderful to be back in the region for such a "unique" event, on a track which was "a bit of a mix of everything".

Bolt said: "It's an unconventional course for us to ride over as it combines a lot of different elements of motorbike racing and different action sports and stuff like that.

"Bringing a dirt bike race to any city centre is amazing and so unique but the fact that it's here in Newcastle just a few miles from where I was brought up is a pretty surreal moment.

"I keep looking at it thinking 'what on earth is a dirt bike race doing here?'."

The free event took place along a stretch of the Newcastle Quayside

Also competing was Johnny Walker from Keswick in Cumbria, defending his title from Tyneside's inaugural event last year.

He said: "It's amazing to race so close to home in such a good format.

"We do races all round the world, in cities and stuff, and I like that, but nothing as good as this one here."