American Vermette victorious at Hardline Wales finals day

BBC News

4 days ago

American Asa Vermette has won the 2025 Red Bull Hardline Wales event in Machynlleth.Vermette, who came second at Hardline Tasmania earlier this year, was competing in the Welsh event for the first time.The 18-year-old becomes the youngest rider to win the Welsh competition. The Junior World Champion clocked a time of 2:24.477, improving on his qualifying time by 4.586 seconds."It's insane, I did exactly what I wanted to do all week," said Vermette.
Shrewsbury's Charlie Hatton finished second following a stellar World Cup season, just 1.681 seconds behind the winner.Hatton said: "I'm absolutely over the moon to be honest."The emotions here are so high. I don't think I've ever had such an adrenaline spike after finishing a ride."A podium at Hardline is always a good Sunday."Last year's champion Ronan Dunne finished in third place despite sustaining a puncture in the top section of the seeding run. "After winning Hardline last year, I definitely wanted to do it again, but it was nice to come away with a podium," said Dunne."Hats off to Charlie and Asa, they both ripped it."Course co-creator and Hardline pioneer Gee Atherton finished in the top 10, taking ninth place over Chilean Felipe Agurto. The 40-year-old becomes the oldest competitor in the competition's history.And mountain bike internet sensation Matt Jones had difficultly in his run, but managed to make it down the mountain and finish the course. Jones was one of the only riders in attendance who does not race World Cups regularly.He told BBC Sport Wales: "I just about completed it, I ended up crashing twice in one run, which honestly just shows how gnarly it was."I'm particularly unfit compared to these guys who are halfway through a World Cup season, but I made it happen."
Ferguson makes Hardline Wales history
Scottish rider Louise Ferguson made history on Saturday by becoming the first female rider to qualify for Sunday's final of Hardline Wales.In the event's 11 years, a female rider has never completed the course in full - mainly due to the scale of the jumps and challenging terrain.On Sunday she then became the first woman to do a full finals run and complete the course. The 29-year-old won Rider of the Week, which is given to athletes who have been the most supportive and helpful on the course throughout the week of practice."I'm just so buzzing, I love downhill but Hardline is next level," Ferguson told BBC Sport Wales."I feel really proud, just to put a run together."Welsh-based rider Kaos Seagrave completed his run, making it to the bottom despite a crash off the final jump. Although Seagrave crossed the finishing line, he was disqualified after riding outside the course parameters during the top section of his run."I pulled a bit off the jump," said Seagrave. "As soon as I pulled I knew it was going to go wrong."I got disqualified at the top, but still completed the run so I'm stoked."