When most female World Cup racers are gearing down for the off season, Jessica Blewitt was gearing up to take on the world's toughest downhill mountain bike race—Red Bull Hardline.
Conceived by Gee and Dan Atherton, the Hardline course was designed and built by Dan to push the limits of downhill mountain bike racing and features incredible technical riding, huge drops and jumps. It's an event that puts the fear in even the best male athletes. For Kiwi Jess Blewitt, it was an opportunity to show the world that female riders are capable of nailing a race run on a high consequence course.
Unfortunately, Jess suffered her second broken collarbone of the season while practicing the mega step up. Despite her injury Jess impressed and showed she was capable of hitting the big features. We caught up with Jess post-surgery in Britain to reflect on her momentous time at Hardline.
How the hell are ya? How's the recovery going?
I'm great! I've just been sleeping so much. It was the same collarbone I broke in Snowshoe last year. I already had the plate in, and the stress of the crash made the