The former took place on the Innerleithen trails known for high speeds and steep technical descents and the dry conditions meant times were incredibly tight at the head of the field.
After a strong opening run, every member of the army team was placed in the top 15, with Cpl Tom Nisbet (REME) and LCpl Elliot Downes (RE) tied in second place after clocking identical times of 3min 16.75sec.
The pace quickened in the second run as the soldiers all posted faster efforts, with Sgt Tom Buck (RE) taking seven seconds off his first attempt despite a crash.
Unfortunately, Nisbet crashed out and while Downes was also quicker he slipped down to third place overall.
Sgt Andrew Lochhead, of the Royal Air Force, claimed the individual honours and then added the team prize to his haul as the airmen triumphed over the army by just a single point in the final standings.
In the enduro event, competitors tackled four further stages at Innerleithen, with ‘Repeat Offender’ proving the longest and most physical of the day, dropping more than 300 metres of elevation from top to bottom.
A strong showing across the board saw the Reds go one better to lift the team trophy, while Lochhead completed a personal double.
Downes took second spot, with Nesbit third, and the impressive LCpl Ellen Smith (RCAM) was the army’s fastest female rider as she finished third in the women’s field.
“It was a great week’s racing on amazing trails and with some incredible conditions, making for some seriously challenging but fun riding,” Downes said.
