The 2026 Hard MTB League Finals brought a different kind of racing to Boise, Idaho, challenging riders across a unique mix of raw slalom, technical rhythm, and downhill terrain.
TRP athletes came ready for the challenge, with Asa Vermette and Anna Newkirk claiming overall victories, while Cody Kelley and Alyana Van Horn delivered strong performances to cap off an action-packed day of racing.
A Different Kind of Racing
Created by Braden Bringhurst, Hard MTB challenges riders to prove their versatility across multiple disciplines. Rather than focusing on a single downhill run, competitors faced three scoring stages: Raw Slalom, Tech Rhythm, and Downhill Gnar, wrapping up with a technical uphill challenge.
With tight corners, awkward off-camber sections, technical jumps, and demanding downhill features, each stage required a different combination of speed, precision, and bike control. Riders earned points based on their finishing positions, with the lowest combined score taking the overall victory.
Asa Vermette Continues His Winning Streak
Fresh off a historic debut season in Elite World Cup downhill racing and his third consecutive Red Bull Hardline victory, Asa Vermette arrived in Idaho with no shortage of momentum.
The Frameworks Racing rider wasted no time getting up to speed, taking the win in Raw Slalom before finishing second in Tech Rhythm, just 0.07 seconds behind Max Clark.
When it came time for Downhill Gnar, Vermette put down another winning performance, clocking a 20.80-second run to secure his second stage victory and the Pro Men's overall title with just four points.
As if two stage wins weren't enough, Asa also became the first rider to successfully clear the technical uphill challenge on a non-motorized bike, adding another impressive achievement to his day.
Anna Newkirk Sweeps the Women's Field
Anna Newkirk delivered an equally impressive performance, dominating the Pro Women's competition from start to finish.
Coming off a breakout World Cup season that included her first Elite downhill victory, the Frameworks Racing athlete showcased her versatility across all three scoring stages.
Newkirk claimed victories in Raw Slalom, Tech Rhythm, and Downhill Gnar, completing a clean sweep of the women's field and earning a perfect overall score of just three points.
With strong competition throughout the field, Anna's ability to consistently deliver the fastest runs across three very different courses made for one of the day's standout performances.
Strong Performances from Cody Kelley & Alyana Van Horn
TRP athletes Cody Kelley and Alyana Van Horn also took on the unique challenges of Hard MTB, putting their skills to the test against a competitive field.
Kelley finished seventh overall in Pro Men, highlighted by a fifth-place result in Downhill Gnar and sixth in Tech Rhythm. Known for his technical riding and smooth style, Cody demonstrated his versatility across the event's varied terrain.
In Pro Women, Van Horn secured eighth overall, with her best stage finish coming in Tech Rhythm, where she placed sixth. She also finished eighth in Downhill Gnar, rounding out a solid day of racing.
Another Big Day for TRP
With both Pro overall titles, five stage victories, and four athletes competing across the men's and women's fields, Hard MTB was another successful outing for TRP.
From the precision required in Raw Slalom to the speed and control demanded by Downhill Gnar, the event showcased the versatility and talent of our athletes.
Congratulations to Asa, Anna, Cody, and Alyana on an incredible day of racing in Idaho!
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