Today, in the depths of the Dyfi Valley—Atherton territory—a fierce battle was fought by a select few. Red Bull Hardline returned to North Wales with a host of talent, both homegrown and from further afield, to add a new conqueror to a growing list of champions. Dan Atherton’s creation takes no prisoners, as many of the challengers came to realize. The track combines vast gap jumps and giant slabs, all knitted together with some of Wales’ slimiest slop.
With the weather well and truly not in the riders favour leading up to the weekend, the track was far past moist. The soft, sketchy conditions have been taking their toll throughout the weekend. Saturday practice brought a dry spell, which stretched into Sunday and almost outlived the race.
Despite the long technical track being shortened slightly, with the riders unable to battle the wind on the top section of track, they were still showing signs of fatigue by the finish line. Kaos Seagrave came into the finish in an almighty nosedive reminiscent of Rémi Thirion’s crash earlier in the season, but fortunately he managed to ride it out. Adam Brayton, despite topping the list of favourites after qualifying fastest, came a cropper in the final wooded section on the last run of the day. Last years champion Bernard Kerr made mistakes throughout, battling the rain and leaving the door wide open.
Craig Evans took chances to take the title! Bernard ended up on the second step, with course creator Dan Atherton sitting comfortably third.
| I didn’t think I was going to win at all so it’s a crazy feeling. I had bits where I was smooth and I had bits where I was a bit wild but I managed to hold onto it until the bottom. So yeah, I’m buzzing.—Craig Evans |
Results 1 Craig Evans GBR 02.31.29
2 Bernard Kerr GBR 02.33.30
3 Dan Atherton GBR 02.33.73
4 Laurie Greenland GBR 02.36.26
5 Adam Brayton GBR 02.36.40
6 Graeme Mudd AUS 02.36.73
7 Kaos Seagrave GBR 02.45.40
8 Taylor Vernon GBR 02.45.96
9 Al Bond GBR 02.49.99
10 Alexandre Fayolle FRA 03.04.31
MENTIONS: @redbullbike /
@tris400d /
Hats off to anyone crazy enough to ride a bike down that course. Very humbling to see what those at the top of the sport are able to do on a bike. Absolute nutters.
Road gap: 'Is that what you do?!'
'Is it f*ck'
I wish the commentating wasn't so hyped up to make this event seem legit.
...uh, no son. The reality is that my balls arent of the size required. sorry son.
"So buzz, I'm yeahing."