An amazing result for the former Junior Downhill World Champion Ruaridh Cunningham. The Red Bull Hardline has to be one of the most challenging events on the circuit. It already claimed its creator Dan Atherton when he crashed badly in practice, and then in the final his brother, and favourite for the win, Gee Atherton limped in with a puncture. There were no big international (outside of the UK) names, which was a bit of a shame. I am sure that we would all have liked to see the riders such as Gwin, Brosnan, Blenkinsop, Bruni, Minnaar, Fearon, MacDonald, etc. take on this amazing track… even if it was open only to Red Bull athletes… it would have made it one hell of a race.

Here’s the official Press Release form the event. DirtTV vid coming soon:

Ruaridh Cunningham Wins Red Bull Hardline

Photos: Red Bull (Sven Martin, Duncan Philpott and Rutger Pauw)

Red Bull Hardline with Jeep returned to the hills of Mid-Wales this weekend to take on Dan Atherton’s beast of a course that proved to be bigger and more technical than anything ever seen before in downhill mountain biking.

Progression was once again the word on everyone’s lips as the riders spent the majority of the weekend getting used to the huge features and technical elements of the track before setting down qualifying times on Saturday.

Former World Champion Gee Atherton was untouchable on Saturday; setting down the fastest qualifying time ensuring that he was the final rider down the course in the finals, but a tyre mechanical meant that he had to limp down the course leaving Ruaridh Cunningham to take the title.

Speaking of his win, Ruaridh said, “The course was incredibly tough, mentally and physically the toughest I have ever ridden. It was good to see everyone get down safely and I am delighted to take the win”

RESULTS
1. Ruaridh Cunningham 3.53.785
2. Joe Smith 3.57.402
3. Bernard Kerr 4.01.035
4. Adam Brayton 4.11.028
5. Reece Wilson 4.15.335
6. Craig Evans 4.20.701
7. Alex Bond 7.47.398
8. Gee Atherton 10.47.941