Young U.S. racer Asa Vermette is just starting his first elite season, but he isn’t holding back. the Frameworks Racing athlete set the fastest time in qualifying at Red Bull Hardline Maydena on Saturday.
Youngest rider, fastest time
Vermette, finished second at the event last year as a junior behind Jackson Goldstone. He then went on to unseat Goldstone as the youngest ever Hardline winner by winning the original Hardline event in Wales. If he stays on track from qualies, he’ll have that solidly in hand.
The Frameworks racer finished a full two seconds ahead of the next closest rider. That was Ronan Dunne, past Hardline winner, with legendary Australian racer Troy Brosnan a tenth of a second further behind.
Jackson Goldstone? Way back in ninth. The Canadian, reigning world and World Cup champion, is known for building speed throughout a weekend. But going into finals with a full 7.7 seconds to make up is still going to be a big ask. He’ll have the confidence from winning in Maydena last year, though.
[UPDATE] The Canadian shared he had two big crashes in practice, one on the last day of practice and one just before seeding. While it sounds like he’s uninjured, here’s hoping he’s in good enough shape for a big finals run.
Gracey Hemstreet is on track to set the fastest women’s time again in Maydena. Photo: Brett Hemmings / Red Bull Content Pool
Hemstreet sets up three-peat
On the women’s side, Gracey Hemstreet set herself up to defend her Hardline result with the fastest women’s qualifying time. Hemstreet made history in Maydena, becoming the first woman to complete any Hardline course.
Louise Ferguson, the first woman to finish the Hardline Wales course, qualified just over four seconds back from Adidas Norco’s leading woman.
With Jess Blewitt and Mikayla Parton not starting and Millie Johnset forced out of competition by a broken collarbone sustained crashing on the final jump, Hardline is again down to Hemstreet and Ferguson on Sunday.
Jackson Goldstone looked comfortable – and stylish – all week. He’ll be focused on speed on Sunday. Photo: Brett Hemmings / Red Bull Content Pool
Watch finals live, free
Finals racing at Red Bull Hardline takes place on Sunday, Feb 8th. If you’re watching from North America, that is Saturday night on February 7th. The event is streaming live, for free.
Ronan Dunne sits second after qualifying. Photo: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Qualifying: 2026 Red Bull Hardline Maydena
Men (Top 10)
1) Asa Vermette (USA) – 3:15.805
2) Rónán Dunne (IRL) 3:17.937 (+2.132)
3) Troy Brosnan (AUS) 3:18.098 (+2.293)
4) Bernard Kerr (GBR) 3:21.918 (+6.113)
5) Aaron Gwin (USA) 3:22.330 (+6.525)
6) Carter Sloan (AUS) 3:22.470 (+6.665)
7) Connor Fearon (AUS) 3:23.211 (+7.406)
8) Oli Clark (NZL) 3:23.537 (+7.732)
9) Jackson Goldstone (CAN) 3:23.590 (+7.785)
10) Luca Shaw (USA) 3:23.827 (+8.022)
Women
1) Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) 4:08.534 (+52.729)
2) Louise-Anna Ferguson (GBR) 4:13.378 (+57.573)