I just try to play it cool, you know. I'd talk to the boys and I'm like, bro, I'm scared. And with her, I'm like, yeah, God, babe. It's all good. Hey, everyone. I'm Chris Hall and this is the downtime podcast, the podcast for the true fans of gravity mountain biking, taking you deeper into the sport than anywhere else. As well as the hardline live show, we've got heaps of great episodes coming up for you throughout the year. So make sure you don't miss them by following the show. Just hit that button in your podcast app now or head to downtimepodcast.com for slash follow. If you want a bit more downtime, you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok where we're at Downtown Podcast and sign up to the newsletter at downtimepodcast.com forward slash newsletter.

As always, your support is really appreciated.

You can share the episodes with your friends or online, leave the podcast to review somewhere

like Apple Podcasts, or if you really want to help out, then a small, regular donation over

at patreon.com for slash downtime podcast makes a real difference.

All right, thanks to tourism Tasmania. I'm on the ground in Medina this week, riding the trails, soaking up the atmosphere and bringing new content straight from Red Bull Hardline. After day two of practice, I was invited to host a live show in front of a packed Maydina crowd, where I sat down with three riders taking on Hardline for the very first time, Michaela Parton, Ryan Gilchrist and Aaron Gwynn. Different backgrounds, different careers, same task ahead of them. We talk honestly about the fear that comes with hitting these features for the first time, how each of them is working through that and what it takes to go from simply surviving the track to actually riding it at race pace. This is a fun, open and insightful conversation with three of the best in

the sport, recorded live in Tasmania. So without further ado, here's Michaela Parton, Ryan Gilchrist and Aaron Gwynn.

Thank you. Good evening, Maidina. I'm stoked to be here with you this evening at this incredible

event. And I want to thank Tourism, Tasmania, for out here, otherwise I wouldn't have made it. What a place you've got. This is a special, special place, and I'm very privileged to be here. We've got an awesome event ahead of us this week. And tonight we're going to be joined by three riders taking on Red Bull Hardline Tasmania for the very first time

to find out what it really takes to line up at one of the most intimidating mountain bike events on

the planet. Our first guest has been making some big changes recently, stepping away from

full-time World Cup racing and choosing her own challenges. And I'm not sure about you guys,

but if I was looking for a new challenge, it wouldn't be Red Bull Hardline.

But there you go.

She's here, and it's Michaela Parton.

Welcome her to the stage.

Grab a seat.

All right.

Next up, straight out of Coffs Harbor, your 2024 Pump Track world champion, two-time King of Crankworks, and Ian Jero overall winner, it's Ryan Gilchrist.

And finally, a rider who's won more World Cups than I can count. I asked him earlier, and he's not even quite sure how many it is. We know that he's won five World Cup overall titles.

Please welcome the one and only, Aaron Gwynn.

Thanks everybody. I know it's a somewhat busy week for you guys,

...