We took a walk down the Redbull Hardline track during race runs to try and catch some of the moments between the big features. Clouds of dust, shale flying, the buzz of the Redbull drone and 28 of the world’s bravest riders.
You can’t really ask for better conditions in Wales. The wind had dropped after causing qualifying to be cancelled the day before, the sun was out and the clear skies promised to be consistent.
Unlike Red Bull Rampage, Hardline is a timed event which has riders not just trying to get down, but racing to get there. How seriously some of the riders were taking the timed element varied somewhat, with many of those from a Freeride background taking a more casual – if stylish – approach. Those with a DH race background were apparent, squashing the jumps, staying low, and squeezing all the speed they could out of the faster sections. Sometimes riding the ragged edge tipped over into over the bars, off the edge of a boulder, or into a crash mat (phew).
Last rider to set off, Bernard Kerr was crowned champion of Red Bull Hardline 2021, taking the victory with an incredible time of 2.33.53 and his third Red Bull Hardline win. Laurie Greenland was second, Kade Edwards third.
Results
1st. Bernard Kerr: 2:33.533
2nd. Laurie Greenland: 2:34.648
3rd. Kade Edwards: 2:35.782
4th. Brage Vestavik: 2:36.465
5th. Brendan Fairclough: 2:37.086
