I disagree hardline is great but it's basically the limit of what racers can race or possibly even ride, what makes world cup racing work is...
I disagree hardline is great but it's basically the limit of what racers can race or possibly even ride, what makes world cup racing work is that the racers are comfortable enough to send it and that makes the racing tighter and better.
Okay but multiple racers have come out and said how unenjoyable it is to have everyone on the same line at having to race at full...
Okay but multiple racers have come out and said how unenjoyable it is to have everyone on the same line at having to race at full speed now in qualies as well just to qualify. Top guys could just coast down qualies in the red bull era.
I've loved every race of the last 3 seasons but only minor moments like that hop to the right off the main line in the lower section of lake placid stood out to me as truly creative bits of riding.
Listen to Sam Hill on neethlings podcast talk about how the secret lines he had wouldn't be possible in this era
Hopefully Maydena in February heralds the dawn of a new era in downhill
Super curious about this comment: "that hop to the right off the main line in the lower section of lake placid stood out to me as truly creative bits of riding."
Which rider are you talking about, which year, and on which part of the track?
Not arguing, just want to go back and watch the tape, because I missed whatever you're talking about.
I disagree hardline is great but it's basically the limit of what racers can race or possibly even ride, what makes world cup racing work is...
I disagree hardline is great but it's basically the limit of what racers can race or possibly even ride, what makes world cup racing work is that the racers are comfortable enough to send it and that makes the racing tighter and better.
Okay but multiple racers have come out and said how unenjoyable it is to have everyone on the same line at having to race at full...
Okay but multiple racers have come out and said how unenjoyable it is to have everyone on the same line at having to race at full speed now in qualies as well just to qualify. Top guys could just coast down qualies in the red bull era.
I've loved every race of the last 3 seasons but only minor moments like that hop to the right off the main line in the lower section of lake placid stood out to me as truly creative bits of riding.
Listen to Sam Hill on neethlings podcast talk about how the secret lines he had wouldn't be possible in this era
Hopefully Maydena in February heralds the dawn of a new era in downhill
Are you saying you DON'T like that riders have to compete to get into finals? Because I think Q1/Q2 has been one of the best additions to the sport. Zero interest in riders having protective status. Earn your spot in the finals. It sucks when there are crashes or mechanicals or weather improves/deteriorates, but everyone is subject to that. I love that nearly anyone in the top 20 could podium.
I was thinking about that as I was watching yesterday. I think Rob does better when there is proper, high stakes racing and where position actually...
I was thinking about that as I was watching yesterday. I think Rob does better when there is proper, high stakes racing and where position actually matters for points/overall. The Hardline races are my favourite of the year, but I don't think they don't carry the weight of a World Cup or World Champs race, so his excitement felt a little more manufactured. Obviously the track is more challenging, but the vibes are way more relaxed and there is way more camaraderie amongst all the riders (except when Bernerd gets all pissy about people not sharing lines).
Also:
I get points are a thing in World Cup racing, but the world needs more tricks mid-run if you've crashed. Like, if you know you're not in contention, I wanna see sui's, t-bog's, one footers, flips and dirty whips. Thank you Hardline for providing some of that.
Also, what was with the 1st gen GoPro footage? There is no place for POV footage from an unstabilized potato in 2026.
Gutted for both Finn and Jackson. Nothing like kicking a guy when they're already down after Whistler. Disappointing end to both seasons. Hopefully both are back on form next year!
Really hope there are more women racing Hardline next year. Obviously just getting down is an accomplishment on its own, but those victories have got to feel a little hollow for Gracey when there is little to no competition. Maybe?
I don’t know if hollow is the right word but she’s definitely hoping for more women as evident by her Ride 17 project event. It’s just a smaller pool pull from and gets smaller when so many that are up for hardline are injured. Tilly Boadle was invited but went home for shoulder surgery. Mille, Tahnee and Louise are out and then with Rampage so close it took out riders like Cami, Mikayla and HB.
the management of the finals start list paired with the invite-only status of hardline BC led to a lackluster broadcast for me. the show started strong then really slowed down with riders who are there more for entertaining than competing before ramping up again toward the final riders. the non-competitive riders (do we call them influencers?) are fun to watch and made the week leading up to race day quite enjoyable b/c of their content.
maybe they have their own class that runs at the start of the day, leaving potentially nail-biting racing to happen all in the same broadcast block? pair them up as a team for a combined run time and bonus points for sui's over road gaps...something that takes the pressure off single timed runs where 1st splits are already 15 seconds off the podium pace?
the management of the finals start list paired with the invite-only status of hardline BC led to a lackluster broadcast for me. the show started strong...
the management of the finals start list paired with the invite-only status of hardline BC led to a lackluster broadcast for me. the show started strong then really slowed down with riders who are there more for entertaining than competing before ramping up again toward the final riders. the non-competitive riders (do we call them influencers?) are fun to watch and made the week leading up to race day quite enjoyable b/c of their content.
maybe they have their own class that runs at the start of the day, leaving potentially nail-biting racing to happen all in the same broadcast block? pair them up as a team for a combined run time and bonus points for sui's over road gaps...something that takes the pressure off single timed runs where 1st splits are already 15 seconds off the podium pace?
Or the top dogs can stop flatting/crashing in seeding.
I thought the race was fantastic. I agree it's a weird mix of people talented enough to do the course and people talented enough to race the course and the former category is wildly small. However, the course is so hard, I found every run entertaining and then I was awe-struck whenever one of the racers were able to properly attack it. It really shows how on another level Asa, Jackson (before he fell!), Lachie, and Bernard (basically the only one trying to hang on with the young'uns) are.
I assume Red Bull has a cut-off age for participating in Hardline. It's the only reason I can come up with for why Mack Manietta wasn't in the lineup, even if it's an arbitrary age limit. This Canadian kid is a phenom. For goodness sake, Mack placed 3rd at the US Open this year as a 15-year old, about 0.7 seconds back from winner Aaron Gwin and ahead of UCI World Cup Elite veterans such as Asa Vermette, Dakotah Norton, and Dante Silva. Maybe next year they'll consider letting him race when Hardline returns to Canada. (I doubt it, of course.)
I don’t want to count the chickens before they hatch, but I’m going to…
No sport is completely satisfying to all spectators. There will always be something to pick apart. Beyond Gravity seems like it’s going to be the closest event so far to strike the balance between World Cups and Hardline. Larger purse, highly competitive lineup, challenging enough course but not too crazy, a focus on easily accessible streaming (again, counting a chicken before it hatches), and monetary support for riders and teams to travel to and operate at the venue. I’m stoked for that. I’m also stoked for BC Hardline to reach its full potential. For the first go round, it seemed to go pretty well and the planning to move up the race meant we all actually got to watch a complete event. But if it’s on the clock, maybe using historical Hardline results or World Cup points to help set the starting list on race day would help with building up the momentum of race day. After all, it’s not a traditional race course where flats, crashes, and mechanicals are less likely in “qualifying”, so maybe the current seeding format isn’t the best if you’re trying to build up toward the pointy end at the end of the race day. I don’t care if it was Jackson, Ronan, or Asa that flatted in seeding, for what the event and the series is, I’d want to see the fastest riders at the end of the start list.
I assume Red Bull has a cut-off age for participating in Hardline. It's the only reason I can come up with for why Mack Manietta wasn't...
I assume Red Bull has a cut-off age for participating in Hardline. It's the only reason I can come up with for why Mack Manietta wasn't in the lineup, even if it's an arbitrary age limit. This Canadian kid is a phenom. For goodness sake, Mack placed 3rd at the US Open this year as a 15-year old, about 0.7 seconds back from winner Aaron Gwin and ahead of UCI World Cup Elite veterans such as Asa Vermette, Dakotah Norton, and Dante Silva. Maybe next year they'll consider letting him race when Hardline returns to Canada. (I doubt it, of course.)
I know jack shit about organizing or running a race, but could it have to do with any insurance Red Bull carries for the event? Higher cost or no available policies for having younger riders there? For an event that gets a lot of social media attention, maybe younger riders are perceived as a higher risk to make more risky decisions to hit something they are not technically or mentally ready for… even though many of the young guys and gals these days seem to be just fine hitting crazy shit. I can’t recall the youngest rider to ever race Hardline.
Best guess is that it’s a UCI sanctioned race so riders would have to be at least junior age.
You're probably right on this.
Apparently the first race (continental championship designation) in the Pro Downhill Series and the fourth race (national championship designation) have to follow UCI regulations, but the fifth (US Open) doesn't. I'll never fully understand UCI regulations... but then, neither will UCI, if the points standings error this past World Cup season is any indication.
You're probably right on this. Apparently the first race (continental championship designation) in the Pro Downhill Series and the fourth race (national championship designation) have to follow...
You're probably right on this.
Apparently the first race (continental championship designation) in the Pro Downhill Series and the fourth race (national championship designation) have to follow UCI regulations, but the fifth (US Open) doesn't. I'll never fully understand UCI regulations... but then, neither will UCI, if the points standings error this past World Cup season is any indication.
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories.
This is the page I found on the UCI site for Hardline BC. The race is listed as Category 3, which is the lowest one I think, so only pays out a few UCI points or something?
Either way, my hunch is age limits on entry to any of the Hardlines are related to safety and liability etc. Surely some forum nerd in here knows more?
You're probably right on this. Apparently the first race (continental championship designation) in the Pro Downhill Series and the fourth race (national championship designation) have to follow...
You're probably right on this.
Apparently the first race (continental championship designation) in the Pro Downhill Series and the fourth race (national championship designation) have to follow UCI regulations, but the fifth (US Open) doesn't. I'll never fully understand UCI regulations... but then, neither will UCI, if the points standings error this past World Cup season is any indication.
Isn’t the PDS a collection of individually organized races under the title of a series. 1 and 4 are pathways to the World Cup so they have to follow UCI rules whereas the US open is designed to let any age any skill race in the open category and are therefore outside the Uci.
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories. This is the page I found on the...
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories.
This is the page I found on the UCI site for Hardline BC. The race is listed as Category 3, which is the lowest one I think, so only pays out a few UCI points or something?
Either way, my hunch is age limits on entry to any of the Hardlines are related to safety and liability etc. Surely some forum nerd in here knows more?
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With Lachie’s 2nd place Trek passed MS racing in the team standings. Both are in the top 10 so it doesn’t change their status but if it they both a couple spots down the order it could have meant the difference between a 1 or 2 year exemption
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories. This is the page I found on the...
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories.
This is the page I found on the UCI site for Hardline BC. The race is listed as Category 3, which is the lowest one I think, so only pays out a few UCI points or something?
Either way, my hunch is age limits on entry to any of the Hardlines are related to safety and liability etc. Surely some forum nerd in here knows more?
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With...
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With Lachie’s 2nd place Trek passed MS racing in the team standings. Both are in the top 10 so it doesn’t change their status but if it they both a couple spots down the order it could have meant the difference between a 1 or 2 year exemption
Seems kind of weird/unfair to give out points when it's an invite-only event, right?
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories. This is the page I found on the...
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories.
This is the page I found on the UCI site for Hardline BC. The race is listed as Category 3, which is the lowest one I think, so only pays out a few UCI points or something?
Either way, my hunch is age limits on entry to any of the Hardlines are related to safety and liability etc. Surely some forum nerd in here knows more?
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With...
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With Lachie’s 2nd place Trek passed MS racing in the team standings. Both are in the top 10 so it doesn’t change their status but if it they both a couple spots down the order it could have meant the difference between a 1 or 2 year exemption
Seems kind of weird/unfair to give out points when it's an invite-only event, right?
I mean every World Cup is already an invite-only event in one sense, right? You've gotta have the minimum number of UCI points to be allowed to play with the big kids.
I get that it's apples to oranges because theoretically "anyone" can get UCI points if they're fast, but that's not really true at all. UCI have historically been damn near impossible to earn in certain geographies, and if you're from one of those chronically-underserved areas, only racers who could pay to fly to another continent to earn UCI points (or racers who were Aaron Gwin-level fast) could earn them. And racers who are already "invited" into the World Cup series have the opportunity to keep earning UCI points to stay eligible to race in the series at every single World Cup weekend.
But now I'm talking in circles, because as a former USDH racer I've always hated that about the UCI point system. So now I agree with you, with the caveat that I think the inherent unfairness of the UCI points awarded at Hardline aren't any more unfair than the existing (and unfair) UCI point system.
So after more thought, I guess my perspective is that any new chance to earn UCI points in North America is a win for competitive balance, even if it's invite only. If a Canadian or US or Mexican rider who's on the bubble for earning enough UCI points is able to get them at Hardline, they might choose to skip another North-American UCI-level race and leave those points up for grabs for other hungry racers. So while still unfair, it still might benefit points-hungry racers who didn't get invited.
That's a long way of saying: good question! You made me think hard about this one. Does what I said make sense, or am I high?
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With...
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With Lachie’s 2nd place Trek passed MS racing in the team standings. Both are in the top 10 so it doesn’t change their status but if it they both a couple spots down the order it could have meant the difference between a 1 or 2 year exemption
I mean every World Cup is already an invite-only event in one sense, right? You've gotta have the minimum number of UCI points to be allowed...
I mean every World Cup is already an invite-only event in one sense, right? You've gotta have the minimum number of UCI points to be allowed to play with the big kids.
I get that it's apples to oranges because theoretically "anyone" can get UCI points if they're fast, but that's not really true at all. UCI have historically been damn near impossible to earn in certain geographies, and if you're from one of those chronically-underserved areas, only racers who could pay to fly to another continent to earn UCI points (or racers who were Aaron Gwin-level fast) could earn them. And racers who are already "invited" into the World Cup series have the opportunity to keep earning UCI points to stay eligible to race in the series at every single World Cup weekend.
But now I'm talking in circles, because as a former USDH racer I've always hated that about the UCI point system. So now I agree with you, with the caveat that I think the inherent unfairness of the UCI points awarded at Hardline aren't any more unfair than the existing (and unfair) UCI point system.
So after more thought, I guess my perspective is that any new chance to earn UCI points in North America is a win for competitive balance, even if it's invite only. If a Canadian or US or Mexican rider who's on the bubble for earning enough UCI points is able to get them at Hardline, they might choose to skip another North-American UCI-level race and leave those points up for grabs for other hungry racers. So while still unfair, it still might benefit points-hungry racers who didn't get invited.
That's a long way of saying: good question! You made me think hard about this one. Does what I said make sense, or am I high?
There were so little points available that in the long run it shouldn't make a difference. A class 3 event is lowest status with 10 for the W or the equivalent of 15th in Q1 but these points don't count to WC ranking just UCI ranking. These are really only useful to your World Champs seeding order or if you are a privateer and need to make it into the top 50. The most affected would be Teagan Cruz who got 2 points for 4th. Since he's not on a World Cup team he would need them to start moving up. He went from 87th to 86th
Outside of an Italian dh race in September, Hardlines are the only races on the calendar that are Class 3.
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With...
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With Lachie’s 2nd place Trek passed MS racing in the team standings. Both are in the top 10 so it doesn’t change their status but if it they both a couple spots down the order it could have meant the difference between a 1 or 2 year exemption
I mean every World Cup is already an invite-only event in one sense, right? You've gotta have the minimum number of UCI points to be allowed...
I mean every World Cup is already an invite-only event in one sense, right? You've gotta have the minimum number of UCI points to be allowed to play with the big kids.
I get that it's apples to oranges because theoretically "anyone" can get UCI points if they're fast, but that's not really true at all. UCI have historically been damn near impossible to earn in certain geographies, and if you're from one of those chronically-underserved areas, only racers who could pay to fly to another continent to earn UCI points (or racers who were Aaron Gwin-level fast) could earn them. And racers who are already "invited" into the World Cup series have the opportunity to keep earning UCI points to stay eligible to race in the series at every single World Cup weekend.
But now I'm talking in circles, because as a former USDH racer I've always hated that about the UCI point system. So now I agree with you, with the caveat that I think the inherent unfairness of the UCI points awarded at Hardline aren't any more unfair than the existing (and unfair) UCI point system.
So after more thought, I guess my perspective is that any new chance to earn UCI points in North America is a win for competitive balance, even if it's invite only. If a Canadian or US or Mexican rider who's on the bubble for earning enough UCI points is able to get them at Hardline, they might choose to skip another North-American UCI-level race and leave those points up for grabs for other hungry racers. So while still unfair, it still might benefit points-hungry racers who didn't get invited.
That's a long way of saying: good question! You made me think hard about this one. Does what I said make sense, or am I high?
True good points and @BGoldstone also valid that the points totals arguably negligible. Just for the sake of complaining about the UCI, say I was a rider 2 points ahead in the overall title at the end of the DH world cup season. I'm able to ride Hardline, but I don't get the invite while riders that don't even race world cups are taking up non-competitive spots in that invite list. Then boom Asa wins hardline and takes my overall title without the chance for me to defend it on the same playing field.
Obviously unlikely a situation like that would happen, but they're leaving the door open to the possibility which you KNOW us forum folks are going to call out
Super curious about this comment: "that hop to the right off the main line in the lower section of lake placid stood out to me as truly creative bits of riding."
Which rider are you talking about, which year, and on which part of the track?
Not arguing, just want to go back and watch the tape, because I missed whatever you're talking about.
Are you saying you DON'T like that riders have to compete to get into finals? Because I think Q1/Q2 has been one of the best additions to the sport. Zero interest in riders having protective status. Earn your spot in the finals. It sucks when there are crashes or mechanicals or weather improves/deteriorates, but everyone is subject to that. I love that nearly anyone in the top 20 could podium.
I don’t know if hollow is the right word but she’s definitely hoping for more women as evident by her Ride 17 project event. It’s just a smaller pool pull from and gets smaller when so many that are up for hardline are injured. Tilly Boadle was invited but went home for shoulder surgery. Mille, Tahnee and Louise are out and then with Rampage so close it took out riders like Cami, Mikayla and HB.
the management of the finals start list paired with the invite-only status of hardline BC led to a lackluster broadcast for me. the show started strong then really slowed down with riders who are there more for entertaining than competing before ramping up again toward the final riders. the non-competitive riders (do we call them influencers?) are fun to watch and made the week leading up to race day quite enjoyable b/c of their content.
maybe they have their own class that runs at the start of the day, leaving potentially nail-biting racing to happen all in the same broadcast block? pair them up as a team for a combined run time and bonus points for sui's over road gaps...something that takes the pressure off single timed runs where 1st splits are already 15 seconds off the podium pace?
Or the top dogs can stop flatting/crashing in seeding.
I thought the race was fantastic. I agree it's a weird mix of people talented enough to do the course and people talented enough to race the course and the former category is wildly small. However, the course is so hard, I found every run entertaining and then I was awe-struck whenever one of the racers were able to properly attack it. It really shows how on another level Asa, Jackson (before he fell!), Lachie, and Bernard (basically the only one trying to hang on with the young'uns) are.
I assume Red Bull has a cut-off age for participating in Hardline. It's the only reason I can come up with for why Mack Manietta wasn't in the lineup, even if it's an arbitrary age limit. This Canadian kid is a phenom. For goodness sake, Mack placed 3rd at the US Open this year as a 15-year old, about 0.7 seconds back from winner Aaron Gwin and ahead of UCI World Cup Elite veterans such as Asa Vermette, Dakotah Norton, and Dante Silva. Maybe next year they'll consider letting him race when Hardline returns to Canada. (I doubt it, of course.)
I don’t want to count the chickens before they hatch, but I’m going to…
No sport is completely satisfying to all spectators. There will always be something to pick apart. Beyond Gravity seems like it’s going to be the closest event so far to strike the balance between World Cups and Hardline. Larger purse, highly competitive lineup, challenging enough course but not too crazy, a focus on easily accessible streaming (again, counting a chicken before it hatches), and monetary support for riders and teams to travel to and operate at the venue. I’m stoked for that. I’m also stoked for BC Hardline to reach its full potential. For the first go round, it seemed to go pretty well and the planning to move up the race meant we all actually got to watch a complete event. But if it’s on the clock, maybe using historical Hardline results or World Cup points to help set the starting list on race day would help with building up the momentum of race day. After all, it’s not a traditional race course where flats, crashes, and mechanicals are less likely in “qualifying”, so maybe the current seeding format isn’t the best if you’re trying to build up toward the pointy end at the end of the race day. I don’t care if it was Jackson, Ronan, or Asa that flatted in seeding, for what the event and the series is, I’d want to see the fastest riders at the end of the start list.
I know jack shit about organizing or running a race, but could it have to do with any insurance Red Bull carries for the event? Higher cost or no available policies for having younger riders there? For an event that gets a lot of social media attention, maybe younger riders are perceived as a higher risk to make more risky decisions to hit something they are not technically or mentally ready for… even though many of the young guys and gals these days seem to be just fine hitting crazy shit. I can’t recall the youngest rider to ever race Hardline.
Best guess is that it’s a UCI sanctioned race so riders would have to be at least junior age.
You're probably right on this.
Apparently the first race (continental championship designation) in the Pro Downhill Series and the fourth race (national championship designation) have to follow UCI regulations, but the fifth (US Open) doesn't. I'll never fully understand UCI regulations... but then, neither will UCI, if the points standings error this past World Cup season is any indication.
I'm not sure there's any UCI rule related to age, other than for World Cups and more broadly categories.
This is the page I found on the UCI site for Hardline BC. The race is listed as Category 3, which is the lowest one I think, so only pays out a few UCI points or something?
https://www.uci.org/competition-details/2026/MTB/78926
Either way, my hunch is age limits on entry to any of the Hardlines are related to safety and liability etc. Surely some forum nerd in here knows more?
considering it was over 20 years ago, it may not be valid, but kyle strait was in rampage at age 14 IIRC.
I think Tayte is the youngest to compete so far at 17 turning 18 next month. Jackson and Asa both won as 18 year olds
Isn’t the PDS a collection of individually organized races under the title of a series. 1 and 4 are pathways to the World Cup so they have to follow UCI rules whereas the US open is designed to let any age any skill race in the open category and are therefore outside the Uci.
10 points for the win. Not much but did change the overall standings in places. (Teagan Cruz and a couple others moved up a place) With Lachie’s 2nd place Trek passed MS racing in the team standings. Both are in the top 10 so it doesn’t change their status but if it they both a couple spots down the order it could have meant the difference between a 1 or 2 year exemption
Seems kind of weird/unfair to give out points when it's an invite-only event, right?
I mean every World Cup is already an invite-only event in one sense, right? You've gotta have the minimum number of UCI points to be allowed to play with the big kids.
I get that it's apples to oranges because theoretically "anyone" can get UCI points if they're fast, but that's not really true at all. UCI have historically been damn near impossible to earn in certain geographies, and if you're from one of those chronically-underserved areas, only racers who could pay to fly to another continent to earn UCI points (or racers who were Aaron Gwin-level fast) could earn them. And racers who are already "invited" into the World Cup series have the opportunity to keep earning UCI points to stay eligible to race in the series at every single World Cup weekend.
But now I'm talking in circles, because as a former USDH racer I've always hated that about the UCI point system. So now I agree with you, with the caveat that I think the inherent unfairness of the UCI points awarded at Hardline aren't any more unfair than the existing (and unfair) UCI point system.
So after more thought, I guess my perspective is that any new chance to earn UCI points in North America is a win for competitive balance, even if it's invite only. If a Canadian or US or Mexican rider who's on the bubble for earning enough UCI points is able to get them at Hardline, they might choose to skip another North-American UCI-level race and leave those points up for grabs for other hungry racers. So while still unfair, it still might benefit points-hungry racers who didn't get invited.
That's a long way of saying: good question! You made me think hard about this one. Does what I said make sense, or am I high?
There were so little points available that in the long run it shouldn't make a difference. A class 3 event is lowest status with 10 for the W or the equivalent of 15th in Q1 but these points don't count to WC ranking just UCI ranking. These are really only useful to your World Champs seeding order or if you are a privateer and need to make it into the top 50. The most affected would be Teagan Cruz who got 2 points for 4th. Since he's not on a World Cup team he would need them to start moving up. He went from 87th to 86th
Outside of an Italian dh race in September, Hardlines are the only races on the calendar that are Class 3.
True good points and @BGoldstone also valid that the points totals arguably negligible. Just for the sake of complaining about the UCI, say I was a rider 2 points ahead in the overall title at the end of the DH world cup season. I'm able to ride Hardline, but I don't get the invite while riders that don't even race world cups are taking up non-competitive spots in that invite list. Then boom Asa wins hardline and takes my overall title without the chance for me to defend it on the same playing field.
Obviously unlikely a situation like that would happen, but they're leaving the door open to the possibility which you KNOW us forum folks are going to call out
Post a reply to: Red Bull Hardline British Columbia 2026