Welcome back to the #1 MTB newsletter brought to you by RECON, mountain biking’s fastest growing media brand and online store.

On today's ride:

•  🏁 Red Bull Hardline Wales: History was written!

•  🍟 Mavrix: The first good MTB game?

•  🍎 Intense Cycles pauses sales in Europe.

👇 Quick Picks

🚨 MTB World Cup 2026: New Stops Incoming!

Surprise drop: The 2026 season kicks off in PyeongChang, South Korea – marking the first ever XC World Cup in Asia and the first DH race there since 2001. XC Short Track, Olympic XCO, and Downhill are all on the menu. Later in the year, it’s off to Soldier Hollow, Utah, another brand-new venue for the XC riders. Bonus buzz: Rumors say we might see night races with lit-up tracks – a first for World Cup DH/XC!

💥Crankworx Summer Series Highlight: Signature Slopestyle

Crankworx Summer Series is just around the corner, and the brand-new Signature Slopestyle course at SilverStar Bike Park is ready to roll! Riders got first tracks on the freshly shaped line—no crowd, no hype, just dirt, flow, and pure focus. The course? Fast, clean, and packed with big feature energy. Riders have been shaping this with their feedback for months, and now it’s all about progression. Every jump feels better, every trick goes bigger.

🏁 Fox Racing Releases New Rampage RS Full Face

Fox just dropped their latest high-end DH helmet — the Rampage RS — built to crush the gnarliest World Cup tracks. It's race-proven too: legends like Goldstone, Seagrave, and Hoffmann already took podiums with it. The "RS" stands for Race Spec, and yeah, it means business. Lighter (about 250g less than the last model), more aero, and built with safety tech that goes beyond the standard. Extras: GoPro mount, clip-on visor extension, and the new Mips Integra Split system.

RACING

Red Bull Hardline 2025 – Wales: A New Era for the World’s Gnarliest Race

Welcome to Dyfi Valley: Where Legends Are Made (or Broken)

Red Bull Hardline Wales has always been brutal — a mountain biker’s right of passage, a showpiece of guts and progression. But this year, it wasn’t just about huck-and-hope heroics. It was a full-on evolution. And the masterminds behind it - the Athertons, are already thinking about how to make it harder for 2026!

The 2025 edition didn’t just challenge bikes and bodies — it challenged the very definition of what’s possible in racing. From the youngest-ever winner to the first woman to cross the finish line, this wasn’t just another insane weekend in Wales. It was a historic one.

🧨 The Rise of Hardline: No Longer Just the Afterparty

What started in 2014 as Dan Atherton’s gnarly side project has now grown into one of the most anticipated fixtures on the race calendar. What was once a post-season daredevil's paradise is now a two-stop global series — Tasmania in the Southern Hemisphere summer, Wales in the European peak season.

And it’s no longer just about freeriders and YouTube bangers. World Cup racers like Charlie Hatton, Ronan Dunne, and Asa Vermette are all in — not just for the spectacle, but for the status. Conquering Hardline doesn’t earn you points. It earns you respect.

🌧️ Weather Whiplash: Classic Welsh Curveball

The Dyfi Valley delivered its signature chaos with style. Rain pounded the track through practice and qualifying, turning the steep upper rock slabs into slick death chutes. Organizers were forced to shuffle schedules and push back racing, keeping riders on edge.

By Sunday, the skies finally broke — but the course didn’t dry out. Greasy roots and boggy landings meant precision was everything. The risk? Sky-high. The reward? Glory.

🏆 Asa Vermette: The 18-Year-Old Who Tamed the Beast

Call it a breakout. Call it a takeover. Whatever you call it, Asa Vermette’s win will go down as the moment of the 2025 season.

Coming into Wales, the US phenom was still riding the momentum of a close second-place finish in Hardline Tasmania. But Wales? This is different terrain. Bigger drops, sketchier rocks, tighter timing. And yet, Asa made it look calculated, composed, and downright beautiful.

His run was a masterclass in control — flowing across treacherous slabs, scrubbing huge gaps with ease, and carrying relentless speed into one of the toughest finish sections in racing.

With a 1.6-second margin over Charlie Hatton, he became not only the youngest-ever winner of Hardline, but the first to win on his second appearance. The kid’s got timing — and ice in his veins.

🥈 Charlie Hatton: Still One of the Best in the World

Charlie Hatton came into Wales as the 2023 DH World Champion and arguably one of the most Hardline-ready riders on the planet. And he didn’t disappoint.

His run was aggressive from the get-go — razor-sharp on the step-downs, full gas through the trees, and flawless over the canyon gap. He looked like a winner until the final split.

Then Asa happened.

Still, Charlie's time was almost four seconds clear of everyone else not named Asa, reminding the world why he’s still a mainstay at the top.

🥉 Ronan Dunne: Quiet Grit, Loud Results

Coming back from injury and still recovering from a hard crash just a few weeks earlier, Ronan Dunne could’ve skipped Hardline Wales. Instead, he sent it early and held the hot seat for most of the day.

His run wasn’t flashy. It was relentless, controlled, and smart. He picked his battles, stayed upright, and made the track look just tame enough to ride fast. A gutsy third-place finish capped a heroic ride — and proved again that Ronan is one of the most mentally tough riders on the scene.

👑 Louise Ferguson: First Woman to Finish Hardline Wales

History. Made.

Louise Ferguson became the first woman ever to complete a full finals run at Hardline Wales, backing up her Tasmania performance and putting women’s DH and freeride progression front and center.

No other woman lined up for the race this time, but Louise didn’t just ride it — she earned it. From the exposed slabs up top to the mega-hucks down low, she stuck to her lines, rolled clean, and stayed composed where many elite men came unglued.

With her win, she’s set the bar. And trust us — more are coming.

🚑 The Cost of Going Big: When Hardline Bites Back

The 2025 Wales course claimed its share of victims — as it always does.

• Adam Brayton, Laurie Greenland, Brook Macdonald, and Sebastian Holguin Villa all DNF’d after punctures or scary crashes mid-run.

• Dan Booker and Thibault Laly were ruled out before finals after hard practice hits.

• Even the track itself became unpredictable — loose rock moved, braking bumps grew brutal, and the landing zones got chewed up with every rider.

Hardline, once again, reminded the world: this isn’t just downhill. It’s downhill dialed to 11.

🚨 Why This Year Mattered

• New stars are rising. Asa Vermette proved the future of freeride and DH is now.

• The women’s field is opening up. Louise Ferguson made Hardline accessible — and real — for women riders at the top.

• Hardline is no longer a novelty. With Tasmania and Wales forming a legit global series, it’s evolved into a defining event that blends tech, mental toughness, and pure freeride energy.

Hardline 2025 didn’t just raise the bar. It erased it.

INDUSTRY

🇺🇸 Intense Cycles Hits Pause in Europe – What’s Going On?

Another one down? Not quite — but Intense Cycles is definitely shifting gears. The iconic SoCal bike brand just announced it's suspending all online sales and distribution across Europe. If you’re a Euro rider dreaming of a fresh M1 or Tracer build, you’re going to have to wait — or dig deep into your wallet for a U.S. import.

So What’s Actually Happening?

On July 30th, Intense quietly updated their website with a message titled “Focusing Our Efforts at Home.” In it, they laid out the basics: starting immediately, they’re halting all EU sales, both through their online store and local distributors. No new orders, no fresh frames, no direct-to-consumer bikes — at least for now.

In short: the brand is circling the wagons. They’re refocusing on North America, where they’ve long had a stronger foothold, and where logistics, supply chains, and retail partnerships are a bit more dialed.

💬 What If You Already Own an Intense?

Good news: you’re not being left in the dust. Existing Intense customers in Europe will still be supported when it comes to warranty claims and spare parts. The catch? You’ll have to order those parts through the U.S. — so expect shipping fees, longer wait times, and potentially some customs paperwork.

But the company’s global support team remains active online, so if your Tazer needs a derailleur hanger or your Primer’s rear triangle cracks, you’re not out of luck.

💥 Why Now?

Let’s not sugarcoat it — the global bike industry is hurting. After the COVID-fueled boom came a massive bust: oversupply, rising costs, saturated markets, and slowing sales. It’s been a pressure cooker for even the most established brands.

• YT Industries just entered self-managed insolvency.

• Nukeproof has scaled back global operations.

• REI and Specialized have cut staff and streamlined offerings.

In this context, Intense’s decision makes a lot more sense. They’re not pulling out permanently — they’re pausing. A strategic retreat to reinforce their core business before they take another stab at Europe.

🔮 Will They Be Back?

That’s the plan. Intense made it clear they’re not abandoning their European riders — they’re hitting pause while they “develop a more sustainable and robust business model.” It’s a wait-and-see situation.

Until then, it’s a tough break for Euro shredders who love the brand’s race-proven DNA, bold designs, and aggressive geometry.

💡 The Bottom Line?

This isn’t a brand collapsing — it’s a brand tightening the belt. And in today’s MTB landscape, survival sometimes means pulling back before you can push forward.

Whether you're an Intense fan or just watching the industry evolve, this move is another sign of the times: even the most legendary names aren’t immune to global market shifts.

So here’s hoping this is just a pit stop — not the end of the trail.

🎮 MAVRIX: The MTB Game We’ve All Been Waiting For

Let’s be real—mountain bikers have been waiting years for a proper MTB game that captures the feel, the flow, and the freedom of riding real trails. Arcade-style bike games? Fun for five minutes. Over-the-top stunts and cartoony controls? Cool... but not exactly what you’d call "realistic."

Enter MAVRIX — the freshest mountain biking game to hit the scene, built from the dirt up by Red Bull freeride legend Matt Jones and the UK-based developers at Third Kind Games. It’s in Early Access now on Steam and Epic Games Store, and it’s already shredding expectations.

🏞️ Rideable Realism Meets Open-World Chaos

Set in a beautifully rugged world inspired by the Welsh countryside, MAVRIX lets you explore an open map packed with freeride features, tech descents, bike park flow trails, and hidden lines you won’t find unless you go off the beaten path.

Whether you want to session massive jumps, test your tech skills on rooty chutes, or just explore solo with your favorite tunes on, the game gives you the same “choose-your-own-line” freedom that real-world riding does. And if you want some company? Drop into sessions with up to 50 other riders online in real time.

🕹️ It Actually Feels Like Riding

Here’s where MAVRIX sets itself apart: the physics system is dialed. No more button-mashing bunnyhops or floaty front flips. Instead, you’re working with dual-stick controls, independent front and rear brakes, and a fully reactive suspension system that makes every landing count. Add in motion-captured rider animations and the option to switch between first-person and third-person views, and it genuinely starts to feel like you’re riding, not just gaming.

You can preload into corners, feather your brakes on off-cambers, and feel your bike compress through a big landing. It’s not just a game — it’s a training tool if you ride IRL.

🏁 Race, Compete, and Hear Rob Warner Scream

Every trail in MAVRIX is raceable, with built-in leaderboards and live ghost comparisons to keep you pushing your lines faster and cleaner. Oh, and if you’re wondering who’s calling the play-by-play? That’s Rob Warner in your headphones — the voice of World Cup DH and now your virtual hype man.

The competitive element goes even further with real-world prize opportunities through the Just platform. That’s right — ride fast, win big. Digital dirt, actual rewards.

🎨 Customization, Career Mode & Real MTB Culture

MAVRIX isn’t just about riding. It’s about building your own MTB story. The career mode lets you unlock sponsors, rep your favorite brands, and take on challenge-based contracts that push your riding progression.

You can trick out your bike with authentic components and kits from real brands, build your rider’s look, and earn your way to bigger gear and bigger lines. Everything is based on real-world progression — no gimmicks, just grit.

🕹️ A Spiritual Successor to Downhill Domination – But All Grown Up

If you’re an OG gamer who used to session Downhill Domination on PS2 until your controller buttons wore out, this one’s going to feel nostalgic — but more refined. Think that same rush, minus the cartoon physics. MAVRIX keeps the thrill but adds soul, accuracy, and community.

It’s MTB for the digital age — and it’s grounded in actual riding culture, not just game dev fantasy.

🚀 Built by Riders, Backed by Legends

Third Kind Games has serious chops — they’ve worked on Sea of Thieves and Forza Horizon 4, which means they know how to make immersive open-worlds and nuanced control systems. Add in Matt Jones, who brought a rider’s vision to the table from day one, and you’ve got a game made by MTBers, for MTBers.

🛒 Available Now – But This Is Just the Beginning

MAVRIX is still in Early Access, which means it’s a work-in-progress. But that’s part of the charm. The dev team is actively working with the player community to improve, expand, and fine-tune the game — expect new trails, gear, and gameplay modes to keep dropping throughout 2025 and beyond.

🎮 Ready to Ride?

Download MAVRIX now via Steam or the Epic Games Store and be part of a growing MTB community that’s taking things to the next level — on-screen and on-trail.

If you’ve ever dreamed of riding big lines from your couch — or just want a way to stay stoked when it’s raining outside — MAVRIX is it. This isn’t just a game. It’s the start of a new digital riding era.

Special Thanks to Marc Brodesser

A huge thank you to Marc Brodesser for his ongoing contributions to the Recon newsletter. Marc plays a vital role behind the scenes — from research and editing to creative inspiration and thoughtful feedback, he's helped shape the tone, quality, and depth of every issue lately. His passion for the sport and sharp eye for detail make him an invaluable part of what we’re building here at Recon. Thank you, Marc — we appreciate you more than you know.

🎥 Video Of The Week

Maybe the coolest way to recap Red Bull Hardline action?

🎧 Podcast Of The Week

Wyn Masters joins the Ride Companion Podcast!

🚵‍♀️ Giveaway Period Finished

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Forbidden Dreadnought 3 MX Giveaway. The winner is Kate M. from New Jersey and the bike is en route to her as you read this! More to come, and keep your eyes peeled for the next giveaway bike!

This newsletter is written with ❤️ every week by Nic Bean, Michael Sikand, Justin Rausch, and Marc Brodesser