For the first time ever, Red Bull Hardline, one of two Hardline races this season, was held in Tasmania. This is also the first year that two of these extremely difficult events are being held multiple times in the same season. And as if those firsts weren’t enough, Red Bull Hardline was also the first time we’ve had women at a Hardline event practicing and competing on race day.

Hardline is unique in that the riders practice the course together, ticking off the features one-by-one as each person fears something different about the track. During the week, many brave athletes stepped up to the plate to blaze a path for others to follow. Gracey Hemstreet (Norco Factory Team) was the first woman ever to complete a top-to-bottom run at Hardline, making history and inspiring female riders around the world.

Race day was all business. To win at Hardline is a monumental achievement – an honor reserved only for the best riders and equipment around. Rónán Dunne (Mondraker Factory Racing) is on a new program this year, and with that new team came the swap to Maxxis Tires. It’s safe to say he’s getting along with the fresh rubber, taking the win at Hardline and getting the best start to the 2024 season that an athlete could hope for.

In the women’s competition, Gracey Hemstreet stayed focused and had a phenomenal run down the course on race day, taking the win. Gracey was also recognized by the rest of the athletes as Rider of the Week, taking home another prestigious award.

The future is in good hands with these two young athletes, and we couldn’t be more proud of the effort that they and every other Maxxis rider at this event put forth. The DHR II and the Assegai proved once again that they are the tires to beat in downhill racing.