Craig Evans wins Red Bull Hardline 2017

Evans comes out on top after a sensational showdown in the Dyfi Valley.

Written by Ali McCarthy

3 min readPublished on 24.09.2017 · 21:37 UTC

Despite the 2016 winner Bernard Kerr and first place qualifier Adam Brayton being favourites for the win, small mistakes throughout Kerr's run and a crash for Brayton meant that it was Craig Evans who came out on top at the end of the day.

Red Bull Hardline this year was definitely the toughest it’s ever been. From the moment we started building the course we've been battling the weather.
Dan Atherton

Celebrations at Red Bull Hardline 2017. — Podium celebrations
© Nathan Hughes

Craig Evans celebrates his win at Red Bull Hardline 2017. — Craig got his redemption after a poor 2017
© Sven Martin

Bernard Ker as seen at Red Bull Hardline Finals. — Bernard Kerr post-race run
© Nathan Hughes

Craig Evans performs at Red Bull Hardline 2017 finals. — Craig Evans hitting the road gap
© Sven Martin

Dan Atherton gets close to the edge

Craig Evans getting sideways

A bit of steeze with the whip

Craig Evans throws in a whip

Evans was riding confidently for most of the weekend and appeared to be in a league of his own during his race run. “I didn’t think I was going to win at all so it’s a crazy feeling," Evans said. "I had bits where I was smooth, and I had bits where I was a bit wild, but I managed to hold on to it until the bottom. So yeah, buzzing.”

Dan Atherton looked in complete control throughout his whole run despite the worsening conditions. After the race he told RedBull.com, “Red Bull Hardline this year was definitely the toughest it’s ever been. From the moment we started building the course we've been battling the weather. But all the riders who came have been amazing. "It's been such tough conditions on the course but they all pushed hard all week and everyone rode awesome, crossing the finish line for my final run I've never felt such relief and the fact that I was third made it even better.”

Kerr came into the competition as one of the favourites for the win, after all he proved last year he had the perfect combination of skills to handle the steep mountainside and send it over the jumps. He finished in an honourable second place, but wasn't overly happy with his run.

“I’m not feeling great," he admitted. "I didn’t win, so not great. It was so slippy, I think it had just started raining as the rider before me went off and it just went to ice instantly. Yeah, not ideal conditions, tried to hang on to it and ride smart after that but not quite enough.”

Adam Brayton rides during Red Bull Hardline 2017. — Brayton started off strong
© Sven Martin

Laurie Greenland performs at Red Bull Hardline 2017 finals. — Laurie Greenland soars over the road gap
© Nathan Hughes

Kaos Seagrave performs at Red Bull Hardline Finals. — Kaos Seagrave impressed the whole weekend
© Sven Martin

Adam Brayton as seen during Red Bull Hardline 2017 finals. — Positive vibes as Brayton heads for the finish
© Sven Martin

Alex Fayolle shows his talent

First placed qualifier Brayton was also looking primed for the win, and was having a stellar run until towards the end when a crash sent him head over the bars.

"I stayed on and literally in the last 30 seconds of the course there was a tough right hander with a couple of roots in the exit and I slipped a front wheel and piled into a tree and that was the end of race for me," Brayton explained. "I’m not sure where I ended up but it’s been a great weekend and a win in qualifying was a positive for me, so there’s lot to take away.”

Scroll down for the full race results.