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If it is out I can't see any other option than to run the old track.
They could run it down Lovey Dyfi at the park......Blueline!!!
😁
Apparently the gap is out because they couldn't find a safety net that big in time
Should have just gone for dakar style rider airbags.. .. the ladies would need airbags and those ornaments that people put on their towhitches.🤷♂️🤣🤣
Confirmed on Brayton's vlog. It shows they'll be using the new start, then the track rejoins the old one on the landing of the metal kicker (just before the cliff drop where Jess got injured). It's worth watching just to see Ronan's Ratboy impression.
In Braytons video, BK says right after he hit it, he said they have to put a net under it. Apparently Gee didn't want a net, BK and RedBull did, they couldn't get one in time so it's off. But they mention that hopefully next year it'll be in and that they spent a lot of money on it.
You can see the transition and lip have been rebuilt. Amazing how much more aesthetically pleasing it is with a bit of netting hiding (or at least obscuring) the scaffolding.
sort of too bad, and I do realize I've commented here that the original lip looked like a fatal disaster waiting to happen. after seeing the rebuild of that lip I wonder what BK or someone else's thoughts would be re-guinea-pigging it? Gap looks shorter by a good 10ft and the lip looks way more appropriate for the speed. All the same, cheers to BK as someone who a lot of the riders look up to, for sticking up for what he saw was a mandatory safety measure.
There is also a well meaning selfish interest to BK's logic that you can't argue with. Without a net, if someone has a freak accident or mechanical and dies, that's potentially Hardline finished, which means no more income from an event he has won multiple times.
It's wild that Gee didn't want a net.
Anyway, looking forward to the race as always, hopeful no horrendous weather. It's been so wet in France I'd imagine Scotland has also been coping it, hopefully no delays.
Worth watching just for Ronan's Ratboy impression: https://youtu.be/OVuEK0Uypec?t=219
Matt Jones track walk vid. Am I hearing it correctly that the call to remove the canyon was made basically during track walk?
Brayton was saying it was out while he was still in his van before arriving on site, so I think they all knew before track walk.
I'm not too far away and it's cold, dark and raining sideways here in the middle of the afternoon!!
Again, baffled they eye balled the build, only tested it a week(?) before the event, and then basically "thought of the net only after BK demanded it" or whatever happened. As someone who loves how the builds look at DyFi and generally loves the entire Hardline track design... It's so weird to see them drop the ball. The only thing that makes sense is building on such uneven terrain. One compromise turns into two... Turns into three. And as you build it out more and more without having the big picture dialed you literally just end up with an unrideable disaster.
I think the canyon is cool. When they actually design it right. But the fact that the smaller hip before it was SO bad they couldn't even test it... Kinda tells you things went wrong during the build. To me it's almost the more alarming topic. The riders PREFERRED to jump the 70 ft canyon gap with no net and a lip that looks built for a 35-45 footer... Rather than attempt the small hip. That scares me lol. Not sure if they even got to work on the hip during the canyon gap fiasco.
Now, I know it doesn't align with the macho-hype-adrenaline content that RedBull puts out, but can we get crazy skinnies in Hardline?
That hip over the creek surely doesn't work, but what if it was a sweet skinny?
I know it's not the UK's style, and sure my BC-ism is showing through, but I think it would look so cool, and really test the rider's abilities to control speed at race pace (which is more or less the point of Hardline. Jumps test your ability to gauge speed when the trail doesn't have a "trail speed" because it's a race course).
Maybe I need to start a Hardline 2025 thread
Skinnies sure would match the original RB mtb content (2003 RedBull Ride Australia anyone?).
Dunno how I feel about a skinny THAT long over the creek -pretty sure that most riders would prefer a long (secured) jump versus a skinny at a race pace. But that would be interesting to see in a lower speed section.
The girls are unlocking the course! Clips from Tahnee and Vaea below:
Well there ain’t a lot to gain from testing the small hip. But based on how many times I’ve seen the canyon gap on fb/insta/etc there was a lot to gain from hitting the canyon if you cared about social media followers.
that photo of jim flying thru the air will be iconic. Reminds me of Matt mcduff’s loop of doom photo.
I think Hannah also clicked off the road gap.
the biggest hurdle for the girls will be the 90s. That’s a lot of speed to carry for a lightweight rider. A large case pad may make it more feasible. Hoping someone gets it done.
tahnee for lit kit!
Isn't Jackson in the same ballpark weight-wise as a lot of the women?
And agree on Tahnee's kit, it's so rad!
Yeah that is a solid point. I would say that lighter riders have to work harder to gain maintain speed then us.... more solid riders. For example im a stout 225 and ride with a friend who is 150. I notice that all I have to do is pump one thing well and im up to speed on the trail while hes having to do jazzercise on his bike to keep up.
3rd'd on Tahnee's kit. I will say that this year overall kits are looking great.
She’s a rockstar.
First Hardline full pull with Craig Evans - yeah, just riding the track itself is hard, never mind the massive features...
Nice little surprise at the end of the RB first hits vid. Congrats to Ronan!
You got a shout out on Ed Bull TV
Don't forget Cami! I think she was the one who unlocked the road gap for the ladies and she hit the on/off before the 90's. Really curious to see if any of them will check those off. I have no doubts they're keen, but not sure if they can get the speed.
Tahnee already hit the on/off and the 90s and is calling it good for this year. Would have loved to see her race but fully respect her decision.
Cami is freakin' savage!
Cami is the Brage of women riders. Ha ha
Jono POV is WILD! Sound on for the screaming...
Another angle:
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