Red Bull Hardline has returned to Wales, home of arguably the most difficult and dangerous downhill mountain bike course on the planet, for its 10th anniversary event. Built by the Atherton family in the heart of the Dyfi Valley, in Dinas Mawddwy, north Machynlleth, the Hardline course is particularly dangerous due to its exposed and unpredictable nature.
28 riders took on the course this year and in dusty and hot conditions on Saturday Ronan Dunn came out first, 2.5 seconds ahead of three-time winner Bernard Kerr. At the finish line Dunn said: “It was a pretty incredible race, there were a few nervous moments but it was incredible. Technically speaking, a lot can go wrong there. It was a lot of fun and, to be fair, it’s a better course than the World Cup courses.”
He thanked the thousands of spectators who turned out on Saturday and expects a similar number on Sunday. “The crowds are amazing,” he said. “It’s very quiet at the top because it’s so steep, but when you go down 90 feet, it makes a ton of noise.”
The Canyon Gap Jump, which was set to be the main event of this year’s race, was removed from the track over concerns it was too dangerous after rider Jim Monroe suffered a concussion while jumping off his bike during testing. Riders who tested the track told track builders they needed to modify the lip of the canyon jump and install safety netting to protect the riders.
Jono Simpson, a downhiller himself and driver at the event for five years, counts himself “lucky” despite a laundry list of injuries including a torn adductor and a fractured scapula. “These guys are on a different level,” he says. “I love adrenaline rushing, but this is on another level. There are parts of this course I want to do, but most of it I don’t. I definitely can’t. It’s the hardest course in the world, hands down. It’s technical, it’s huge, it’s exposed, it’s got it all.” See the riders taking on the Hardline course on Saturday in the images below.
Ronan Dunn celebrates his win at Red Bull Hardline
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)The course is widely considered to be the most difficult in the world.
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)This event is the perfect way to showcase the wonders of the region to an audience of thousands.
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)Johnnie Walker on the mountain
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)Johnny Walker takes to the course
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)The course runs steeply downhill
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)The athletes after Saturday’s race
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)Riders consider the course to be one of the most difficult in the world due to its unpredictable nature and exposure, especially high up in the mountains.
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)Matt Jones turns the track
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)Thibaut Rally on the track
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)Britain’s Tahnee Seagrave prepares for the race
(Image: Red Bull Content Pool)Rachel Walker came from Scotland with her family to watch the event.
(Image: Jonathan Hill/Media Wales)Jono Simpson, the driver who takes people to the summit, has worked with the event for five years and sleeps in his van.
(Image: Jonathan Hill/Media Wales)Savannah Sykes (left) and Evie Jefferis (right) enjoying a weekend at Hardline
(Image: Jonathan Hill/Media Wales)The course will be groomed and groomed before the racers take to the track Sunday morning.
(Image: Jonathan Hill/Media Wales)