Extreme Racing: Tommy G on the Red Bull Hardline Wales
Text: Thomas Genon
Nobody expects me to win the Hardline. I can't do that. If I'm invited, the organisers already assume that Tommy G will end up at the back of the field. Because I'm a freerider. But that doesn't just apply to me, it applies to every freerider. Don't get me wrong, I'm a competitive guy and very ambitious. But you can't compare my speed with that of the downhill racers. I don't stand a chance. So why start? Quite simply: I love the challenge and want to have the skills to ride such a tuff course. And I can tell you: the hardline training pays off. I've never felt so good on my big bike as after a week of Hardline.
Red Bull Hardline Wales: The track - a blast!
The Red Bull Hardline Wales track is the most gnarly downhill track in the world. Even the best racers struggle to get down here. Everyone's pulse races, but the course terrifies me - I'm not exaggerating! At the start of training, I thought: "No, I don't want to ride down here!" Every run is pure stress. And every run can put you in hospital. That's why I'm economical with my training - just don't risk too much! However, I'm much more calculated and risk-averse than most people here.
What's the problem? Well, maybe it's my extensive medical record. I've had too many injuries in my career and I'm old and experienced enough not to be a hothead. My credo: I want to take part in the Red Bull Hardline Wales. But I also want to get home safely. The Colombians don't seem to care. When I watched them, I thought: They've lost their marbles! It must be because of the urban downhill races that the lads usually do. As we all know, urban downhilling is the craziest thing you can do on a bike. Maybe the dudes are so jaded that nothing scares them anymore.
This year, the track in Wales has become longer and more technical, the ramp jump for tricks has disappeared. Of course, I would like to see more stunts that allow tricks instead of just technical steep sections. Nevertheless, on the track in Tasmania at the first Hardline of the year, no tricks were possible at all - Tasmania was a pure full-throttle race track.
The route terrifies me - I'm not exaggerating! Every run is pure stress. At first I thought: No, I don't want to go down there!
The scary numbers of the Red Bull Hardline Wales
I have the most nervous flutter before the rocky sections after the road gap, i.e. pretty much at the end of the course. You can't imagine how nasty they are. Rocks everywhere, off camber and lots of bone-crushing drops in between - awful! If it's wet there, you might as well call an ambulance. What's more, my arms had turned into wet noodles by this point and I could barely hold on to the handlebars. Szymon Godziek had some heavy crashes here, and Frenchi Gaetan Vigé even knocked himself out in this rocky hell.
Tommy G's favourites on the track
Instead, I'd rather jump the blunt XXL drop three times, where Brage Vestavik crashed in 2021. A really blunt part that even I can't land well, even though I have a lot of experience in dropping. Every time you come over the cliff, you think: Shit! You're either afraid of being too fast or too cased. As a result, you inevitably end up in the safety position, which is the shittiest position for this drop.
Because then you land tail first, rush through the suspension travel, lose traction and can only brake - too late for the following turn. There's nothing to look forward to on the whole track. Real fun numbers? Not a chance! I like the steep sections before the Brage drop best, because that's Rampage style.
You might have guessed that I like the 90-footer jumps. No, because they're not shaped the way we freeriders like them. The landings are so flat that you lose speed and have to pedal - not cool if you need momentum for another monster jump. This makes for a bumpy ride and harbours the risk of the chain jamming. At this speed, it snaps around the chainstay like a whip. For comparison: the jumps at the Loose-Fest in Belgium are much bigger and yet more pleasant to jump. I wish the hardline jumps were shaped like this. But then the downhillers would get scared when they ride towards a jump that stands in front of them like a wall and shoots them into the sky.
The road gap
Tahnée Seagrave said she had been thinking about this road gap every day for the past year. She was downright obsessed with it, because she had resolved to jump it, and yet she was terrified to the core. In fact, the road gap is the most predictable jump on the whole track. The approach is made of wood, the jump is defined and everyone comes out of the stone passage quite slowly. The speed is therefore the same for everyone. Technically, the gap is easy, but the height is naturally intimidating. It's probably 10 metres down, I don't know exactly. Although I've never had a "sketchy" moment here, I always think on the approach: "FUCK. IS. THAT. HIGH!"
Max-Puls: Red Bull Hardline Wales or Rampage?
Where does my pulse race faster - the Red Bull Hardline Wales or the Red Bull Rampage? Well, if I were to ride the Hardline at race speed, I would do it here, but I don't do that. I'm already at the limit as it is. But the Red Bull Rampage is my thing, I'm ready to go into battle, I want to win, push myself beyond my limits and jump the highest 360 drop I've ever done in my life.
The vibe at the Red Bull Hardline Wales
It was a bit strange for Szymon Godziek and me at first, because we hardly knew anyone at the Hardline. We didn't even know who we were supposed to hang out with. The racers all know each other. But we newcomers were warmly welcomed. I'm a fan of the 50:01 gang. Josh Bryceland was there, Graig Evans and Sam Hockenhall. These guys are damn fast and yet totally relaxed - impressive! I've spoken to Josh Bryceland a few times and every time I think: "Damn, I didn't understand a single word that guy said!" But by now Josh is making an effort with me and softening his Manchester accent a bit. However, many of the top racers are so focussed on the race that you don't notice much about them. They do their runs and then disappear into the team tent.
Mr Hardline: Bernard Kerr
You can confidently call Bernard Kerr that: Mr Hardline. BK has won the race three times and feels more at home on the course than almost anyone else. He plays guinea pig when it comes to testing new Hardline stunts - I wouldn't do that for any money in the world, because it's the shittiest job in the world. Did you see him try the 90-footer for the first time? Crazy. I take my hat off to the skills this guy has.
Type with steel nerves: Brendog
Of everyone at the Hardline, Brendan Fairclough seems the most relaxed. If there is one rider in the world who can really ride any terrain: "Brendog" can! He could even do a top-to-bottom run without even looking at the course. That really is crazy.
Unrecognised talent: Matt Jones
What happened to Matt Jones? Did he fall into the magic potion? I knew Matt from his slopestyle days, but I had no idea how comfortable he was on a big bike. I'd heard that he was a good downhiller, but he's much better than I expected. That's why I can well imagine that with his mix of dh skills and tricks he would also cut a good figure at the Red Bull Rampage. Let's go, Matt!
Women's power
I was impressed by the women. Wow! I think Tahnée Seagrave could do a full run. She did everything except the 90-footers. I wonder if she'll even be fast enough with her 50 kilos. Of course, you need more female riders for a women's race. I don't know if there are enough women who dare to do a full run.
Tommy G: "Am I unlucky?"
My final run takes one minute and 35 seconds. I'm travelling well and just about to hit the 90-footer and then: bam! My feet slip off the pedals because the cranks can no longer be turned - chain jam! Off. Gone. Disappointment! If the chain had jammed at the Red Bull Rampage, I would have been devastated. With the Red Bull Hardline Wales I can cope with it. Still stupid of course, because I wanted to do a top-to-bottom run in the final. Now I have to come back! Red Bull Hardline 2025 - here I come!
Hall of Fame of the Red Bull Hardline Wales
- Danny Hart (2014): The fast Brit wins the opening event of the Hardline in Wales.
- Ruaridh Cunningham (2015): 2015 Scottish DH champion wins ahead of Joe Smith and Bernard Kerr
- Bernard Kerr (2016/19/21): Three victories earned BK the nickname: Mister Hardline.
- Craig Evans (2017): The 50:01 crew member from Sheffield proves that he has nerves of steel.
- Gee Atherton (2018): It was on his bucket list for a long time, and in 2018 it finally happened: victory!
- Jackson Goldstone (2022): Sensation! First Hardline 2022 and immediately: victory with a big lead.
Red Bull Hardline 2024: Top 12 results
- Ronan Dunne (IRL) 2:23.045 min.
- Bernard Kerr (UK) + 1.282 sec.
- Juanfer Vélez (COL) + 2.189
- Charlie Hatton (UK) + 3.211
- Matteo Iniguez (FRA) +4.457
- Sebastian Holguin (COL) +6.655
- Adam Brayton (UK) +6.657
- Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) +6.745
- George Brannigan (NZL) +7.381
- Harry Molloy (UK) +10.890
- Brook Macdonald (NZL) +13.285
- Josh Bryceland (UK) +13.500
And... 24th Thomas Genon (BEL) +1:12.316
