Jackson Goldstone will miss Red Bull Hardline to recover from surgery
Canadian won't be able to defend his title
Photo by:
Samantha Saskia Dugon / Red Bull Content Pool
In a phenomenal and stunning feat, Jackson Goldstone became the youngest-ever winner of Red Bull Hardline in 2022. The final race of the Canadian’s junior career was in Wales on the daunting, borderline extreme, downhill race against the world’s toughest elites and, in a big hint at the success Goldstone would find this year, he took a commanding win.
Now the Syndicate prodigé is confirming that he will not be able to defend his Red Bull Hardline title in 2023.
The event moved from the end of the season to a mid-World Cup season date. That put some pressure on elite racers to choose between Hardline, and its associated risks, and the upcoming combined UCI cycling world championships in Fort William, Scotland.
For Goldstone, though, it is a health issue that is keeping him away from Dyfi Bike Park. The Canadian has struggled with a recurring appendix issue, initially caused by a crash while training. He was able to race through discomfort in Val di Sole, taking the win and the World Cup overall leader’s jersey in a stunning display of talent. With a long break in the race UCI race calendar, though, Goldstone and his team decided it was time to resolve the issue permanently and opted for surgery.
“Still had some lingering stomach pains from the last time my appendix flared up and was finally able to get the surgery done to get it removed. The surgery was heavier than expected which sadly means I’m off the bike for the next 2-3 weeks. As much as I love Hardline and would love to go defend from last year It’s sadly not on the cards. Home time tomorrow,” Goldstone shared on Instagram.
Goldstone’s next competition would be UCI world championships in Fort William, which run from August 3-13. If he isn’t back on the bike and in race shape by then, the Andorra World Cup (Aug. 24-27) should give the Syndicate racer time to get back on form on time for his debut in the elite World Cup leader’s jersey.
