Tasmanian downhill mountain bike rider Dan Booker wins Rider of the Week at Red Bull Hardline

He may have been disqualified from the big race at Maydena but Tassie’s own Dan Booker was honoured with a “special” award that shows how much he’s respected in the world of downhill mountain bike riding.

Dan Booker performs during practice at Red Bull Hardline in Maydena Bike Park, Australia on February 04, 2025. Picture: Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool

The sole Tasmanian downhill mountain bike rider to compete in the Red Bull Hardline event at Maydena has received a special accolade after wowing spectators and making an impression on some of the best riders in the world.

Dan Booker was voted the Rider of the Week following a vote by his fellow competitors.

It comes after days of gruelling practice runs, culminating in the main event on Saturday, which saw Canadian Jackson Goldstone claim victory in a thrilling finish.

While Booker was ultimately disqualified after sustaining a flat tyre towards the end of his run and being unable to finish the course, his successful return to Maydena Bike Park a year on from breaking his back during the 2024 event has won him plaudits from his peers.

Dan Booker celebrates at Red Bull Hardline in Maydena Bike Park, Australia on February 08, 2025. Picture: Nick Waygood / Red Bull Content Pool

He was seeded eighth in the race, reflecting his strong performance in the lead-up to the big day.

Booker said he wasn’t expecting to be named the most impressive rider of the week but was overjoyed to receive the honour.

“It’s really, really special to me,” he said.

While he described his disqualification as a “pretty sad moment”, Booker said it wasn’t long before his disappointment was eclipsed by an immense feeling of gratitude.

“Even though I knew my tyre was going flat, I was still trying to get down to the bottom. There was such an amazing crowd and I wanted to get past as many people as I could. Being a local rider, I had such amazing support out there on the weekend,” he said.

Dan Booker performs during the Red Bull Hardline practice session at Maydena Bike Park on February 5, 2025 in Tasmania, Australia. Picture: Brett Hemmings / Red Bull Content Pool

“For about five seconds, I was feeling a bit disappointed but then kind of looked up and saw the crowd, and everyone was so, so happy for me just to be there and competing. And then that instantly sort of changed my perspective on it all. And I just felt so grateful to have that support and to put on a show for people in Tassie.”

Booker said he was aiming to compete in the Red Bull Hardline at Maydena again next year and also hoped to ride in the Wales event this coming July.

Goldstone (3:17.096) narrowly won the hotly contested Maydena race on Saturday, beating young American rider Asa Vermette (3:17.329), while Troy Brosnan (3:19.479) was the best performing Australian, finishing in third place.

Red Bull Hardline is considered the toughest and most progressive downhill mountain bike race in the world.

Originally published as Tasmanian downhill mountain bike rider Dan Booker wins Rider of the Week at Red Bull Hardline