Learning points from the intense Red Bull Hardline Tasmania event:
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Catch the Adrenaline-Fueled Action: Red Bull Hardline Tasmania Roared Back In 2025!
This past weekend had our hearts pounding from the comfort of our beds – it was 3 am after all...
Mountain biking fans were treated to another thrilling edition of the Red Bull Hardline Tasmania, held in the sun-drenched plains of Australia. Over 20 fierce competitors took on the grueling 2.9km course, showcasing jaw-dropping feats of bicycle prowess. From the belt-drive bikes to Jackson Goldstone's triumphant return, we break down the action from the dusty Tassie track. Ready to ride the wave? Buckle up, because we're diving in...
Gracey Hemstreet navigates a daunting feature during her race run. Photo credit: Nick Waygood / Red Bull Content Pool
Gracey Hemstreet: The Iron Lady of MTB
Last year, Hemstreet became the first woman to tacklle the Red Bull Hardline course, achieving a full top-to-bottom descent. She returned to defend her title this year and add a win to her impressive list of accolades. With a time of 4:06.465, she glided over the track's biggest features with a casual ease, earning her the title of Queen of Red Bull Hardline. Although just 20 years old, she displayed remarkable poise and experience on her bike, making her a formidable force in the world of mountain biking.
On her race finish, Hemstreet shared, "I just wanted to be smooth and have fun. I'm already looking forward to racing with Norco Race Division at the DH World Cups this year." Her teammate, Erice van Leuven, unfortunately crashed hard during the competition, but more on that later...
Goldstone put on quite the show through the air. Photo credit: Nick Waygood / Red Bull Content Pool
Jackson Goldstone: King of the Comeback
In 2024, Goldstone suffered a devastating crash during Red Bull Hardline Tasmania, tearing his ACL and MCL ligaments in the process. After a grueling recovery, he returned to Hardline Tasmania this year to reclaim his crown. He bested American rider Asa Vermette by a mere 0.233 seconds, with Australian Troy Brosnan taking the bronze medal.
"To come back and win it is probably one of the biggest moments of my life," Goldstone said after his victory. "I don't even know what to say, that was amazing." Check out his winning POV below.
Never Underestimate the Hardline Track
As we quickly discovered, the Hardline track is no joke. With Atherton Bikes behind the course design, it's clear that there's no room for complacency in this death-defying competition. Women's DH current World Champion, Vali Höll and British rider Tahnée Seagrave both withdrew from the race, prioritizing the upcoming World Cup season instead. However, several riders ended their Tasmanian journey in the hospital or on the ground.
Erice van Leuven, who rode alongside Hemstreet on the Norco team, crashed on the creek gap during practice and sustained injuries to her back, neck, and wrist. Latecomer Silver-lining came in the form of her inspiring post on Instagram:
"Well, shit happens. A huge thanks to my team, family, and everyone around me. I had the biggest crash of my life yesterday, and am very lucky to be walking. I've broken my back, neck, and wrist, along with some small internal injuries. Once my lung heals up in the next few days, the countdown will be on to fly back to NZ to spend some quality time with the animals at home!
"A rollercoaster week at Hardline. From not thinking I could ride to ticking off the whole course in the space of a few runs. This place is rad, but also no joke. Fired up to come back next year."
Last year's winners of both Tasmania and Wales Hardline editions, Rónán Dunne, also crashed in practice, albeit not as severely as van Leuven. Fingers crossed we'll see him lining up for the DH season soon.
Vermette shows off his confidence during practice. Photo credit: Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool
The Future Looks Bright for These Up-and-Coming Riders
With an impressive 2nd-place finish at Hardline Tasmania, 18-year-old American rider, Asa Vermette, became the youngest competitor to podium at the event. He already boasts the title of Junior DH World Champion in Fort Bill (2024) and USA National Champion, cementing his status as a rising star in the world of downhill mountain biking.
Goldstone is only 21, and there are numerous talented athletes emerging from the junior ranks, promising exciting racing action in the years to come. Maybe not the outcome he was hoping for, but Vermette's stellar performance is just a taste of what's to come...
The future of downhill racing is looking incredibly bright with these young guns' exceptional skills. Photo credit: Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool
The Gates Belt Drive Takes DH Racing by Storm
Just a few weeks before the Red Bull Hardline Tasmania, Atherton Bikes revealed their new downhill rig for the season – the A.200.G – featuring the newly adopted Gates belt drive as opposed to a chain and derailleur setup. While considered a daring move, the replacement quickly garnered attention during the race. Team Atherton's Charlie Hatton finished 9th on his A.200.G, after suffering a crash in practice that forced him to start the finals early.
Gee Atherton, meanwhile, debuted the S.200, the brand's innovative alloy DH bike, which features a sleek twin-link DWR suspension setup and should be available to the masses soon for a steep £4,999.
[1] https://win.gs/3iwHJFv[2] https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/events/red-bull-hardline-2025[3] https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/win/hardline-2025-races-on[4] https://www.redbull.com/int-en/clips/5080109
Keep an eye out for the upcoming DH World Cups, where Hemstreet and van Leuven will face off once again. Until then, keep those tires spinning and the adrenaline pumping!
Riders at the Red Bull Hardline Tasmania competition demonstrated a range of impressive features on their bicycles, showcasing their skills in the sport. For instance, the winner of the women's category, Gracey Hemstreet, sported a helmet while gliding over the track's biggest features with ease, performing jaw-dropping feats.
As for the men's competition, Jackson Goldstone, who donned a helmet, returned from a devastating injury to reclaim his title, showcasing the important role helmets play in the safety of sports like mountain biking.
