A rider who is taking part in the Ulster Grand Prix has revealed his mountain biking hobby has helped raise his fitness levels ahead of next month’s big meeting.

Guy Martin is keeping his fitness levels high ahead of the Ulster Grand Prix by mountain bikingby ashleigh mcdonald

ULSTER GRAND PRIX

English rider Guy Martin, from Kirmington in Lincolnshire, is no stranger to these shores and is looking forward to racing on one of his favourite circuits.

The Dundrod circuit, which takes place over a 17 mile 505 yard course in the hills above Belfast, is taking place between August 11 and 16.

Now in its 86th year, the Belfast Telegraph is the official race partner.

Guy (26) will be competition on his 1000cc Honda Firebrand for the Hydrex Honda Bike Animal team.

He has been taking part in the Ulster Grand Prix since 2004 and won a staggering five out of six racing in his “best year yet” in 2006.

Guy has taken part in 17 races so far this year and despite his bike breaking down ten of those times, he’s confident of a win at Dundrod.

He has also used his love of mountain biking to improve his fitness and is planning to take part in his first downhill mountain bike competition in Scotland this September.

The truck mechanic revealed mountain biking is his “other hobby” and said his love of bikes stems back to when he did three paper rounds a day whilst at school.

Guy said: “I really enjoy mountain biking,. I go out twice a week with a few mates. I was really into push bikes when I was a kid so it was great to come back to it later in life.

“I used to do a paper round on my bike first thing in the morning before school then another two at night to give me a bit of pocket money.

“When I got my first job I got a moped but I crashed into a car so I had to go back to a pushbike for a while after that.”

Guy said he started mountain biking around four years ago. He said: “It’s a great way of keeping fit.

“I’ve never been to a gym, the nearest I’ve come to one is being shown a picture of one and I know I wouldn’t enjoy it.

“And mountain biking is also a great way of getting away from it all.”

He also hopes to prove as successful on his mountain bike as he is on his motorbike when he takes part in his first downhill event in September.

“It’s taking place in Fort William in Scotland and you are basically taken to the top of a mountain in a ski-lift and the first one back down to the finish line on their bike is the winner”, he revealed.

“I get the same kind of buzz from that as I do from motorbike racing but I have had a few minor injuries along the way. I’ve even managed to knock myself out a few times.”

Guy also revealed he is looking forward to returning to Northern Ireland for next month’s Ulster Grand Prix.

He said: “I used to race with a team in Stoneyford and I love the Grand Prix course - it’s as good if not better than the Isle of Man TT and it’s far better than the North West 200 course.