The third Hardline Tasmania at Maydena is coming up this week. 25 riders listed. A grudge match? BK vs Brosnan, Acer vs Jackson, Sam Hill's annual lap. The Meier of Maydena on his home turf. Potentially massive injuries, but all that glory on the line.
Shortcuts? Long jumps? Jumpers for goalposts... isn't it?
Anyone going to be there?
Forecast is for light rain all week... maybe we'll finally see normal Tasmanian conditions.
I'm not going to bother this year.
Maydena in general is just getting a bit expensive.
I predict BK having another strop about something or other.
I hope no one has a poo in his tent again.
I'm not going to bother this year.
Maydena in general is just getting a bit expensive.
That’s a shame.
… I don’t recall the poo story 🤣
Looking forward to this one. some good pre-hardline chat here, all the fast guys have been in NZ for a few weeks now 'training'...
(some speed in that hot tub there eh!)
I listened to that at work yesterday.
i find it amusing how little Matt Jones knows about DH riding.
Love all the build up videos.
Always feels like Bernard just wants it too much almost. So much so that he doesn't quite get it. Shame, such a rad rider.
I think Jackson will have it but I'd love to see Ronan get it.
i find it amusing how little Matt Jones knows about DH riding.
I don't think he's ever pretended anything but. That's very much not his arena.
I'm not a huge fan, but I really like the honesty and perspective from the 'not a DH racer' viewpoint that he gives from Hardline every year.
Love the buildup and circus every year. If Dunne is on form my money's on him, I hope I don't have to see the footage of him last year again though, it was bad enough the first time, but after the 14th I don't know if I've got any winces left in me.
But there's a stacked field this year, about 10 guys that are in with a genuine shot
I don't think he's ever pretended anything but. That's very much not his arena.
I'm not a huge fan, but I really like the honesty and perspective from the 'not a DH racer' viewpoint that he gives from Hardline every year.
I agree. I think he’s really quite humble when he’s operating outside his comfort zone.
It’s interesting how RedBull run these events ie the build up is almost more interesting than the event itself. It would be interesting to know if the riders get paid directly by RedBull for doing all this social media stuff or whether it’s just part of the contract
It would be hard to see why Matt Jones is still a red bull sponsored athlete but he does do well for them on the socials and maybe that’s his role now
The hype train is definitely going full steam now.
It would be interesting to know if the riders get paid directly by RedBull for doing all this social media stuff or whether it’s just part of the contract
I wonder what the Red Bull contract is regarding social media? I think some of them are keen on doing content for their own profile/sponsors too.
Notice Theo isn't doing much (Monster), but Troy (also Monster) has posted a pretty good trackwalk vid.
Aside from Jackson, Acer and the obvious podium contenders it will be interesting to see if Booker can get a proper race run in. Luke Meier-Smith will be interesting as he rides there all the time, and Ryan Gilchrist will be great to watch.
I think the guys doing vlogs are the same that would do so at other races, just the track walk and build up is much more interesting because of the course.
Matt Jones, Theo etc obviously invited for their online presence rather than any race capabilities
Matt Jones, Theo etc obviously invited for their online presence rather than any race capabilities
I also think it adds an interesting angle where you get to see what good non-racing riders make of the course compared to the really fast folk.
And who else is going to throw a back flip over the final jump?
I also think it adds an interesting angle where you get to see what good non-racing riders make of the course compared to the really fast folk.
Agreed his riding skills are way above the avg and when he follows the pros he helps you spot where they make the mad differences
The whole hot tub thing though was a bit cringe 2 years in a row
There is a lot made of how big the jumps are. Sure they look big but so do the bigger ones on a normal wcdh course to me. So how much bigger are they compared to the big drops at lathule or Val de sol etc.
See for yourself, they measure all the gaps in this video
They're hugely bigger than WCDH jumps and there's no chicken line.
I’ve seen that thanks, but that doesn’t tell me how big wcdh big jumps are to compare against. I’ve read the motorway section at for bill has 20metre long jumps to the sweet spot
Some first hits with a hungover Theo. 😂
I’ve seen that thanks, but that doesn’t tell me how big wcdh big jumps are to compare against. I’ve read the motorway section at for bill has 20metre long jumps to the sweet spot
To quote Sam Hill on Moi Moi's Day 1 video:
"I hit that about 15 times last year and it still scares the **** out of me" (or words to that effect)
Matt Jones turning up last year from the airport and riding the whole track blind , following a racer down, was pretty nuts
Planning on watching ‘as-live’ replay Sunday morning. It starts at 3am UK time so What time do we reckon it will be done and available on RBTV? ie How long do I have to avoid spoilers for?!
I thought Red Bull and YT normally has it live and you can start at any point in the coverage that precedes it?
you can still watch last years I think so could work out how long it was and use that as a guide.
Theo raced World Cups and World Champs for like ten years.Matt Jones, Theo etc obviously invited for their online presence rather than any race capabilities
and Matt Jones isn't even actually doing this one.
.
Cancelled due to weather 😩
That's rubbish , im sure its the right decision but i was looking forward to an afternoonon on the sofa watching it . It's pretty much the only race of the year I watch live due to the time differences for the world cups .
I suppose if the conditions stop riders getting enough speed to clear the jumps then they've got no choice but to cancel .
Yeah. Same here. If it was wind alone you’d think they could have done a short course version maybe.
On a race course with no B lines, it's all or nothing with the weather.
Hmm that’s not a very good advert for Hardline, and a load of money / carbon footprint down the drain
As above I guess no real easy way to weather proof something like that but Wales manage it on the whole
Redbull need to make it more clear on their own website it’s cancelled
Over the last few years there was much talk of the Hardline series but that does appear to have gone quiet too?
If you want something slightly bizarre to watch instead there was also the 2026 UCI Snow Bike World Championships this weekend with some of the nearly worlds best riders 😂
https://www.youtube.com/live/Fqv5tuoS7L8?si=Ew7nP8Tq_wXr6R_P
As above I guess no real easy way to weather proof something like that but Wales manage it on the whole
Dyfi area is slate, Tazzie is clay. 🙁
Absolutely gutted for this, one of the few races I actually watch..I don't think any of the riders would want to be crowned this way 🙁 super bummed for Lou not getting her chance.
@funkydunc lots of info suggesting a round in BC this year 🙂
Reassessing the whole Matt Jones/Theo thing. These are Darkest sized gaps. Having ex WC riders that ride Darkfest seems pretty fair, there's a very small pool of riders that can do that and are willing to ride the course before the season starts.
What an absolute shambles. Did they not consider it might rain for a plan b might be a good idea. Promoted as one of the biggest events of the year and it look like amateur hour. They should Clare no result rather than make one up so they can claim a winner
What an absolute shambles. Did they not consider it might rain for a plan b might be a good idea. Promoted as one of the biggest events of the year and it look like amateur hour. They should Clare no result rather than make one up so they can claim a winner
Have a day off will you? For Hardlines biggest critic you can't stay away from it.
You're the one who never stops complaining about riders risking their lives to sell fizzy pop. I thought you'd appreciate their safety conscious decision.
Over the last few years there was much talk of the Hardline series but that does appear to have gone quiet too?
On a recent podcast (The Ride Companion I think) they were saying the official bumbf they'd received indicated there may be a 3rd event..
The rumours I've heard say the new Hardline will be on the Sea to Sky Highway area of BC.
No shortage of terrifying terrain around there and I'll be more weather resistant.
Having ex WC riders that ride Darkfest seems pretty fair, there's a very small pool of riders that can do that
Who are you even talking about?
Theo is still a WC racer. Which for a semi-privateer is no mean feat with all the hoops to jump through since the Whoop/Discovery take over. And Matt isn't even there or a Darkfest regular. Kaos was the only ex WC racer racing this event who rides Darkfest
Did you even look at the roster?
You're like our very own Roger Neuveau of mountain biking.
You're not alone though in this place
What an absolute shambles. Did they not consider it might rain for a plan b might be a good idea. Promoted as one of the biggest events of the year and it look like amateur hour. They should Clare no result rather than make one up so they can claim a winner
The riders were consulted on whether to go with seeding results. It's a shame for sure and would have been an awesome battle. But you'd have been throwing away your money if you'd have bet against Asa and Gracie taking the top spots. I do think top 5 in mens would have been slightly different names/order.
Watch this.
Ironically according to locals at the event the sun did come out and the track had dried out again by 4pm. Too late though. As the call had been made. Clearly the right decision at the time.
Who are you even talking about?
Theo is still a WC racer. Which for a semi-privateer is no mean feat with all the hoops to jump through since the Whoop/Discovery take over. And Matt isn't even there or a Darkfest regular. Kaos was the only ex WC racer racing this event who rides Darkfest
Did you even look at the roster?
You're like our very own Roger Neuveau of mountain biking.
Whoa there, StereotypicalGenericAngryInternetCommenter47.
I was disagreeing with the statement that Matt Jones/Theo were invited purely for their social media presence, and pointing out that each of the racers was there on their riding merits.
Take a breath.
Liked the footage of someone trying to dry the course with a blow torch. How is that even....?
What a shame.
Lots of people complaining about lack of information at the time, but I tuned in to the RB app at 1pm my time - when it was supposed to start - and there was a notice saying it was cancelled.
Imaging the carnage if they'd tried riding it. Clogged tyres, people sliding out. Nasty.
Given Tasmanian weather is notoriously changeable I'm surprised they didn't aim for a Saturday race and a Sunday reserve.
As above I guess no real easy way to weather proof something like that but Wales manage it on the whole
The same thing happened at Wales in 2023 due to wind.
Seeding footage is up.. OK, it's not the race proper but good to see some runs at race pace (or thereabouts)