Scottish mountain biker Louise Ferguson has made history as the first woman ever to complete a full finals run at Red Bull Hardline, marking a major milestone for women’s mountain biking.
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The 29-year-old rider, originally from Fort William and now based in New Zealand, took on the notoriously brutal Hardline course in the Dyfi Valley, North Wales. The event is widely regarded as one of the toughest on the planet, combining enormous freeride jumps with steep, technical terrain — and until now, no woman had ever ridden the full track in a finals setting.
Ferguson not only completed qualifying but returned on finals day to ride the entire course top to bottom — cleanly and in full view of a global live‑stream audience. Her run wasn’t about chasing podiums, but about showing what’s possible and opening the door for future generations of female riders.
It’s a landmark moment for women’s MTB, especially in the freeride and gravity scene, where representation at events like Hardline has long been absent. Ferguson’s ride builds on years of groundwork led by riders like Tahnee Seagrave and others, who have gradually helped open the course to more women and pushed for greater inclusion.
While there’s still no separate women’s category or prize at Hardline, Ferguson’s performance is likely to spark conversations about evolving the format to better support and showcase elite female talent on these world‑stage tracks.
The 2025 Red Bull Hardline final was held on Sunday 27 July and streamed live on Red Bull TV. While Ferguson didn’t place among the fastest riders on the clock, she delivered one of the most significant runs in the event’s 11‑year history.
For more coverage and upcoming events in women’s mountain biking across the UK, check out iBikeRide’s dedicated Women’s Mountain Biking Events in the UK section.
You can also filter women’s MTB events in the calendar and map view on iBikeRide to discover upcoming races, rides and gatherings.
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