Pinkbike Primer: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of Red Bull Hardline 2023

Jul 13, 2023 at 2:13
by Ed Spratt  
Thibault Laly kept it rubber side down in seeding finishing up in 9th - a great effort for a first time rider at Hardline

As we wait for World Champs in Fort William in just a few week's time it is now the turn of Red Bull Hardline to continue what has been an incredible season of racing so far in 2023. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the always wild Red Bull Hardline.


Where is Red Bull Hardline?


photo

First built by Dan Atherton in 2014 the Hardline course sits in Dyfi Valley, with the massive track making the most of the Welsh hillside. Over the years larger features have been added to the course with the 2022 edition including the addition of some 86ft gaps to test the racer's skills even further.

This section is a firm fan favourite
The Welsh Mountains make the perfect backdrop to the Hardline jumps

Chris Cumming giving it a little tweak off the big drop
4th place for Charlie Hatton. Charlie really is on a roll at the moment - it could be a good outside bet for tomorrows race


What's the Track Like?


Join Eliot Jackson and Jono Jones as they previewed last year's Hardline course.


Rider List


Gee Atherton
George Brannigan
Adam Brayton
Edgar Briole
Josh Bryceland
Ronan Dunne
Kade Edwards
Theo Erlangsen
Craig Evans
Brendan Fairclough
Sam Gale
Thomas Genon
Laurie Greenland (Injured)
Sam Hockenhull
Matteo Iniguez
Bernard Kerr
Thibault Laly
Josh Lowe
Harry Molloy
Jim Monro
Flo Payet
Johny Salido
Camilo Sanchez
Kaos Seagrave
Joe Smith
Kyle Strait
Vinny T
Juanfer Velez
Taylor Vernon
Gaëtan Vige


What's the Weather Expected to be?


No wind today meant the riders could send it

It looks like riders are in for classic British conditions as rain threatens the whole race week. Luckily the weather looks to be best for finals on Sunday with just rain showers predicted in the morning.

Thursday, July 13

A couple of morning showers; otherwise, intervals of clouds and sunshine // 18°C // 63% probability of precipitation // wind 13km/h

Friday, July 14

Cloudy; rain in the morning followed by a thundershower in the afternoon // 18°C // 97% probability of precipitation // wind 15km/h

Saturday, July 15

Variable cloudiness with a couple of thundershowers // 16°C // 95% probability of precipitation // wind 15km/h

Sunday, July 16 - FINALS

A shower in the morning; otherwise, variable cloudiness // 16°C // 70% probability of precipitation // wind 19km/h


Weather forecast as of Thursday, July 13 from Accuweather.


What Happened Last Year?


The eighth edition of Hardline in 2022 provided one of the best events in the series' history as Jackson Goldstone put down a wild run to secure a major victory against some of the world's best riders.

1st. Jackson Goldstone: 2:20.525
2nd. Joe Smith: 2:27.043
3rd. Taylor Vernon: 2:27.084
4th. Ronan Dunne: 2:27.273
5th. Gee Atherton: 2:28.356
6th. Sam Gale: 2:28.902
7th. Jim Monro: 2:28.930
8th. Harry Molloy: 2:31.714
9th. Thibault Laly: 2:31.767
10th. Florent Payet: 2:37.436


Who has Won here Before?

Jackson Goldstone has taken to Hardline without missing his feet finishing up third in seeding

2022 // Jackson Goldstone
2021 // Bernard Kerr
2019 // Bernard Kerr
2018 // Gee Atherton
2017 // Craig Evans
2016 // Bernard Kerr
2015 // Ruaridh Cunningham
2014 // Danny Hart


How to Follow the Racing?


Tune in to Pinkbike to catch all the Hardline coverage throughout the week with results, photo epics, bike checks and more.

You can catch the live finals broadcast at 1:45 pm BST // 2:45 pm CEST // 5:45 am PDT on Red Bull TV.



Author Info:
edspratt avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2017
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66 Comments
  • 52 4
 Coverage of the womens progression session would be awesome too.
  • 6 0
 Watching BKs vid I noticed Tahnee and Jess and what looked like the Nukeproof female team but not 100% sure. It would be great to get a start list unless they were just there to see if they wanted to ride.
  • 4 0
 @Muggsly: Louise Ferguson
  • 2 0
 @adamkat: she just did the on off section check out her insta
  • 28 1
 It's a shame Jackson isn't competing, but Ratboy will be an excellent replacement!
  • 12 0
 Dude. Gee is back. I bet he's hungry for a win.
  • 27 2
 At least someone else has a chance of winning. Jackson is on another level.
  • 15 0
 @jeremy3220: this 100%. If he stays healthy he will become one of our sports greats. I’m really glad to see him NOT on this start list.
  • 5 2
 @meathooker: Yeah, I thought I saw Jackson on the invite list. Probably a good idea not to go, though. Having Hardline in the middle of the DH mid-season means some of the top racers won't go.
  • 9 0
 @motts: He said he would be there for sure but he just had surgery a few days ago.
  • 2 1
 I don't think Ratboy in any way can replace Goldstone. That guy (kid?) is on another level.
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: I'm not suggesting Ratboy will be fast, he was junior world champ 16 years ago and then quit DH soon after. It's more that one of the most talented riders of an older generation is back at top-end event.

I'm with you with Jackson, insane talent, hope he's back for the next round of WC.
  • 16 1
 Oh, I've been under a rock again. Hardline in the middle of UCI WC racing season? I thought in the past those more risky events (Hardline, Rampage...) were scheduled later in the season so that a potential injury after such an event wouldn't necessarily affect their chances for the current WC overall. Is there a clear reason for this shift or isn't it a shift at all and did they organize Hardline more often early Summer?
  • 19 0
 I think it’s due to the WC season running late. The season ends in October this year so there’s no chance they’d be able to do the race afterwards
  • 26 0
 They should run Hardline in the middle of winter. It's not quite hard enough at the moment. /s
  • 3 0
 @bigtim: this coming sunday in wales will likely feel like winter..
  • 1 0
 @scantregard: yeah it's been grim all week, it'll be a wet one alright
  • 1 0
 @dotman: I think the biggest issue could be the wind, especially Friday. Hopefully it won't be as much of an issue on race day.
  • 8 0
 @commental: Ahh yes... the wind... that's why I'm not riding it this year... because of the... what did you say? Oh yeah, the wind.
  • 3 0
 @commental: 50mph on Friday, should be a tail wind for them, maybe a triple off the boner?
  • 15 1
 Jackson Goldstone 6.5 sec ahead of 2nd place. Then 2nd to 7th place within 2 seconds, amazing
  • 3 2
 Isnt he out with an injury?
  • 11 0
 @konastab01: yes he ^ was talking about last years results
  • 4 0
 @enduroNZ: second surgery on his appendix I believe. Hopefully they just took it out.
  • 13 0
 Kyle Strait!
  • 11 1
 Ratboy for podium!!!!
  • 9 0
 What happened to Laurie ?
  • 7 0
 bit sore since val di sole crash
  • 4 0
 Wasn't there a thing where the estate at the finish line said they couldn't come back because the riders partied too hard and trashed the place? It would seem that got sorted out.
  • 5 0
 It was a hotel/castle they stayed at
  • 7 0
 Reckon BK has ever been offered a Red Bull deal?
  • 5 0
 I believe Danny Hart won the first Hardline.
  • 1 0
 PB fixed it - they had Gee.
  • 3 0
 I Geget the timing due to late WC. Unfortunate though since it takes some of the fastest/best riders out since they won't risk their DH seasons
  • 2 0
 The fastest best riders haven't participated historically regardless (Jackson last year, Danny year 1 aside). I hoped to see a bit of a trend start with top riders coming after Jackson said he'd be back every year (imagine Pierron, Bruni, Iles, etc. on this track every year?!?!), but you can't blame him for the surgery. He said himself that he's sad to miss it so he would've come if not for the appendix issue. Imagine that, the current overall leader racing in Hardline. I know that hasn't happened since HL is usually after the WC season, but has the overall winner ever raced here?
  • 1 0
 @adamkat: Yeah most of them haven't traditionally competed but this closes the door completely to the option. Was cool to see Jackson and would have been cool to see others get involved.
  • 1 0
 @adamkat: Bruni was there in 2014, finished third.
  • 1 0
 @commental: Yup, but not sure he'd qualify as one of the fastest best riders at that point ... he didn't win a WC until 2016 after all.
  • 1 0
 @adamkat: 2014 French national champion and 2015 World Champion. Your definition and mine may vary.
  • 1 0
 @commental: I mean it's semantics at this point. Regardless, it would be nice to see several of the top WC riders at hardline every year. Always seems to be one or two guys who can win it, and then everyone else. Either way, wildly entertaining event for us fans ... just think it could be even better!
  • 3 0
 Disappointed that Brage isn't t doing Hardline, he has done very well in the past. He is such a beast!
  • 1 0
 @SimbaandHiggins Yeah, dude kind of blew up for a minute, but haven't seen much lately. Is he injured or just not at the big events?
  • 1 0
 I have the day off on Monday. Can anyone just turn up and spectate? IIRC they had a ticketing system before. Will look into it.
  • 3 0
 Anyone else wondering the same:

1. Tickets are all sold out
2. Tickets look to be priced at £94-£104 (wow - does that include a case of Red Bull and unlimited lifts up the hill?)
3. Still unanswered: can one just turn up and pay on the gate?
  • 2 0
 @jaame: £94?!!! f*ck that.
  • 10 0
 @markcorrigan: that's £94 for a car park pass.
If 4/5 people are going per vehicle its pretty cheap.
  • 1 0
 Monday? It runs ‘till Sunday. I went last year with my son. Yes, it’s a bit steep, geographically and cost wise, but a good day out (albeit you don’t actually see a lot of riding as it’s such a long course and they whistle past you)
As below, that’s the car fee, so get five in and spread the cost
I don’t think you can pay on the gate though, you have to have a barcode parking pass.
  • 1 0
 @rockhopper70: yeah I've got the day off on Monday which would mean getting a pass on Sunday would be easy.
Anyway too late now.
  • 2 0
 Where is Matt Jones on riders list? I think he just made a whole video about riding in it this year, could be wrong though.
  • 3 0
 I think he's riding it for fun/content, not racing. He's never been particularly fast on DH or techy stuff compared to the WC pros. RedBull probably has him there to make content because of his good personality on camera and maybe to toss a couple backies (no fakies allowed though lol). He said in his video that the speed of the racers was insane compared to what he's used to, whereas he had no problem doing a 360 on his slope bike on the stepup a few years ago. Just different skill sets.
  • 2 0
 Both Matt and Jono are riding the qualifying event, but not the actual race. Don't know why that is, but that's what Jono said in one of his hardline vids on YouTube
  • 3 0
 He wasn’t originally racing and was just there - as a RB sponsored athlete - to ride in practice only. That’s why he wasn’t on the entrants list.
That’s now changed, and he said in his video today that he is now racing, and has his number.
  • 1 0
 Tommy G does everything
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