{"id":466080,"date":"2026-02-08T08:31:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/466080\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T08:31:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:31:13","slug":"asa-vermette-field-on-notice-with-fastest-qualifying-at-red-bull-hardline-maydena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/466080\/","title":{"rendered":"Asa Vermette field on notice with fastest qualifying at Red Bull Hardline Maydena"},"content":{"rendered":"

Young U.S. racer Asa Vermette is just starting his first elite season, but he isn\u2019t holding back. the Frameworks Racing athlete set the fastest time in qualifying at Red Bull Hardline Maydena on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Youngest rider, fastest time<\/p>\n

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<\/a> by winning the original Hardline event in Wales. If he stays on track from qualies, he\u2019ll have that solidly in hand.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Red Bull Hardline canceled<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

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\u2019ll have the confidence from winning in Maydena last year, though.<\/p>\n

[UPDATE] The Canadian shared he had two big crashes in practice<\/a>, one on the last day of practice and one just before seeding. While it sounds like he\u2019s uninjured, here\u2019s hoping he\u2019s in good enough shape for a big finals run.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Gracey Hemstreet is on track to set the fastest women\u2019s time again in Maydena. Photo: Brett Hemmings \/ Red Bull Content Pool
\nHemstreet sets up three-peat<\/p>\n

On the women\u2019s side, Gracey Hemstreet set herself up to defend her Hardline result with the fastest women\u2019s qualifying time. Hemstreet made history in Maydena, becoming the first woman to complete any Hardline course<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Louise Ferguson, the first woman to finish the Hardline Wales course, qualified just over four seconds back from Adidas Norco\u2019s leading woman.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Jackson Goldstone looked comfortable \u2013 and stylish \u2013 all week. He\u2019ll be focused on speed on Sunday. Photo: Brett Hemmings \/ Red Bull Content Pool
\nWatch finals live, free<\/p>\n

Finals racing at Red Bull Hardline takes place on Sunday, Feb 8th. If you\u2019re watching from North America, that is Saturday night on February 7th. The event is streaming live, for free<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Ronan Dunne sits second after qualifying. Photo: \u00a0Bartek Wolinski \/ Red Bull Content Pool
\nQualifying: 2026 Red Bull Hardline Maydena
\nMen (Top 10)<\/p>\n

1) Asa Vermette (USA) \u2013 3:15.805
2) R\u00f3n\u00e1n Dunne (IRL) 3:17.937 \u00a0(+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)<\/p>\n

Women<\/p>\n

1) Gracey Hemstreet (CAN) 4:08.534 (+52.729)
2) Louise-Anna Ferguson (GBR) 4:13.378 (+57.573)<\/p>\n

Full qualification results<\/a>.<\/p>\n