Red Bull Hardline Wales is back this weekend! Here's the lowdown on who's racing and how you can watch it
The toughest DH mountain bike race in the world is back, and here's everything you need to know
It's the summer DH season break, and that can only mean one thing. One of the most exciting and insane downhill races is back this weekend in Machynlleth, Wales. It's time for Red Bull Hardline Wales 2025.
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We've already been treated to some epic racing this year courtesy of Red Bull Hardline Tasmania, with Jackson Goldstone and Gracey Hemstreet winning their respective categories. And that's something that's continued throughout the season - the Canadians seem to have some super water over there, because each has multiple World Cup wins to their names in 2025.
But enough about the World Cups...let's take a look at Hardline Wales and what we can expect from the weekend ahead.
What is Red Bull Hardline?
Red Bull Hardline is the brainchild of Dan Atherton and is hailed as one of, if not the toughest, downhill race tracks in the world. It's designed and built with Dan's brain at the helm, and it takes place in the rocky Welsh valleys.
The track may only take about two and a half minutes to ride, but it's a super intense route, taking in massive features like the infamous Road Gap, Crag Drop, and wall ride, to name a few.
It's run in a time trial format, so each racer in the finals gets to set a race run time and aim to be the fastest down the hill. There are separate categories for male and female athletes, too.
Who is racing Red Bull Hardline Wales?
Red Bull Hardline is an invite-only event, with competitors chosen for their DH and freestyle racing prowess. This year, 32 athletes, including Gee Atherton, Matt Jones, and Rónan Dunne, will be there looking to build on their successes at the event.
Dunne won both Red Bull Hardline events last year, and he's in need of a bit of redemption after a less-than-stellar start to his DH season.
We've also got elite women tackling the course, including Red Bull Hardline Tasmania winner Gracey Hemstreet and Hannah Bergemann. We're looking for the first woman to finish a race run at this event, and Hemstreet is looking like a likely candidate to do that.
How can I watch Red Bull Hardline Wales?
Red Bull Hardline remains one of the only free-to-watch mountain biking events of the year, so make the most of it and tune in on Red Bull TV online, where the event will be streamed live between 26-27 July.
On Saturday, 26 July, open practice takes place between 10 AM-12:30 PM. Seeding runs take place from 2 PM to 5 PM.
Sunday 27 July is race day, with more practice taking place in the morning and the finals setting off at 2:30 PM.
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