Mountain Biking's Bravest Take on Red Bull Hardline

Sep 19, 2017
by rasoulution  
Hard by name, hard by nature, Red Bull Hardline isn’t an event for the faint of heart. Returning to the hills of the Dyfi Valley in Wales for the fourth consecutive year, the brainchild of visionary Downhill rider Dan Atherton was conceived to push the progression of the sport for both riders and fans. The course he designed for the 2017 edition combines heart-stopping grades and rocky technical sections, punctuated with a 50-foot jump that will send the riders right off the mountainside and virtually over the heads of the spectators.

George Brannigan performing at Red Bull Hardline in Dinas Mawddwy United Kingdom on the 17th September 2016 Rutger Pauw Red Bull Content Pool P-20160918-02560 Usage for editorial use only Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information.
George Brannigan working through the rocks above the giant road gap at Red Bull Hardline 2016. Image by Rutger Pauw / Red Bull Content Pool

“We have worked hard to create a course that has helped to raise the profile of downhill here in the UK and is also recognized as one of the hardest courses in the world,” commented Atherton, who has put months of work into building the course with his team. “The idea was to create a course that flows and suits riders from a range of disciplines, so we have pulled inspiration from a variety of courses including motocross, BMX and dirt jumps.”

Winner Bernard Kerr performing at Red Bull Hardline in Dinas Mawddwy United Kingdom on the 16th September 2016 Rutger Pauw Red Bull Content Pool P-20160918-02524 Usage for editorial use only Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information.
Bernard Kerr on his winning run in 2016. Image by Rutger Pauw / Red Bull Content Pool

Braving this beast of a course will be the world’s best, and only the best: 20 standouts with insane talent. Will last year’s champion, the extremely versatile British rider Bernard Kerr, be able to repeat? Or will this be the year for another star from the UK, Gee Atherton, to break the unlucky chain of crashes, mechanical problems and injuries that have kept him from winning one of the most iconic events in the sport? Factor in giant slab rolls, tight wood sections and those huge gap jumps – along with September weather as a wildcard – and the 2017 edition of the event will be epic.

Dan Atherton performs during qualifying session of Red Bull Hardline in Dinas Mawddwy UK on September 18 2016 Olaf Pignataro Red Bull Content Pool P-20160918-02482 Usage for editorial use only Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information.
Dan Atherton racing his creation in 2016.Image by Olaf Pignataro / Red Bull Content Pool

Who can step up to match the Red Bull Hard Line challenge? Red Bull TV will broadcast the action free of charge, live and on demand, on redbull.tv on Sunday, September 24 at 7:00pm CEST. And get the latest on everything bike related on the Red Bull Bike Channel: redbull.tv/bike.

Gee Atherton performing at Red Bull Hardline in Dinas Mawddwy United Kingdom on the 18th September 2016 Rutger Pauw Red Bull Content Pool P-20160918-02563 Usage for editorial use only Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information.
Gee Atherton sending it over the massive road gap. Can Gee put the bad luck of the past editions behind him and step onto the podium? Image by Rutger Pauw / Red Bull Content Pool

Mick Hannah performing at Red Bull Hardline in Dinas Mawddwy United Kingdom on the 17th September 2016 Dan Hearn Red Bull Content Pool P-20160919-00091 Usage for editorial use only Please go to www.redbullcontentpool.com for further information.
Sick Mick throwing his signature suicide no-hander on the huge step-up. Image by Dan Hearn / Red Bull Content Pool


MENTIONS: @redbullbike



Author Info:
rasoulution avatar

Member since Oct 25, 2010
485 articles

29 Comments
  • 34 1
 Hell Ya! I've been waiting all year for this event! I mean a crazy awesome course built by Dan Atherton, some of the best and most exciting riders to watch in the world, and superb coverage; what else could you ask for? Never in my wildest dreams did i expect to see Yoann Barelli, Brook Macdonald, and Darren Berrecloth in the same race not to mention all the other phenomenal riders competing. This is going to be awesome!
  • 5 3
 Don't forget Gee! I'm sure he has a saying in the build.
  • 1 0
 and there's sam reynolds too
  • 15 0
 Be great to see if Claudio does a pre run ride !
  • 7 0
 Bulldog is the obvious choice I should think. My favorite event of the year.
  • 1 0
 Apparently Bulldog isn't racing. It was in his IG feed.
  • 1 0
 @nayff80: Ah bummer.
  • 2 0
 @nayff80: Guess thats whose spot Bruce Klein is taking. Was wondering who dropped ou.
  • 4 0
 I can't wait!!! Praying that the weather holds and no strong winds so all the features can be hit by these lunatics. I'm really excited to see what Dan's come up with this year, more insanity no doubt!
  • 1 0
 Forecasted a bit of rain but nothing too much I don't think. Can't wait to see it. Really look forward to seeing the road gap in person to gauge just how massive it really is!
  • 1 0
 @Jack-McLovin: Yep, I bet it looks a LOT bigger in the flesh
  • 4 0
 sure hope the Canadian folks can watch this one . just worried about not being able like last time at worlds . HARDLINE is gonna be BEYOND beyond
  • 9 1
 You should be safe, the UCI aren't involved
  • 3 0
 Italians too..sure hardline is televised better than any wc or worlds..last yesr was superb..
  • 3 0
 @yoannbarelli So stoked to see you send it on the Hardline course!!! TUTO SUNDAAAAAY
  • 1 0
 Cool to see some pictures from Rutger Pauw here too. He was already recognized for his BMX photography (among others) but I don't recall seeing his pictures here. Cool.
  • 2 0
 Would be super cool to see Lacondeguy in a race like this. Anyone know if he was invited?
  • 2 0
 YO what?! Barelli's racing Hardline??!
  • 1 0
 After being able to attend the last 2 years gutted I can't make it this year for the line up they have . Will be watching
  • 2 0
 Hope the weather improves, drove pasted tonight and it's wet very wet
  • 2 0
 Aren't conditions always wet in the UK ?
  • 1 0
 @Whipperman: we get a few days of sun each year Wink
  • 1 0
 time for a Hardline world series.........
  • 1 0
 So who are the confirmed riders then?
  • 2 0
 Go Bruce Kelin SEND IT!
  • 2 0
 Go bruce klien
  • 1 0
 barelli will ride on a BMX !!!
  • 1 0
 Who has some coverage?
  • 4 0
 Redbull.tv will have it Sep 24 at 7 CEST according to this article







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.049734
Mobile Version of Website