- Jonny Walker won over Mitch Brightmore in the final head-to-head decider
- World’s toughest motorcycle head-to-head event was watched by thousands on Newcastle’s iconic Quayside
(Newcastle upon Tyne, 3 August 2024) Enduro legend Jonny Walker has been crowned winner of the first Red Bull Tyne Ride, beating fellow British rider Mitch Brightmore in an epic final to win the world’s toughest urban motorcycle head-to-head.
Words & Images: Red Bull Tyne Ride
Crowds gathered along Newcastle Quayside to watch morning practice and qualifiers, before the main event kicked off in front of thousands of spectators. 16 riders battled it out over three rounds, before Red Bull athlete Walker overcame Brightmore to claim a 2-0 victory in the best of 3 final decider.
The epic course was masterminded by four-time SuperEnduro World Champion and local Geordie, Billy Bolt, alongside fellow Red Bull athletes Dougie Lampkin and eventual winner, Walker. The unique design included a series of creative features, testing the abilities of riders like no other motorcycle event.
Red Bull Tyne Ride, which was free to the public, drew a huge crowd on Newcastle Quayside, bringing head-to-head racing to the heart of the city, as some of the world’s best motorcycle talent entertained the crowd in the ultimate test of skill, speed, endurance, and nerve.
Jonny Walker said: “It’s awesome to win, but obviously here in the city centre, with so many people here to watch, shouting, it’s awesome. I think it’s been one of the best events I’ve done. With the head-to-head format, here you’re neck and neck. Usually, you can break and then that person has to go slow and they’ve got to get around you. Whereas here you’re on your own, so if you make one little mistake, someone else can take the win.”
Four-time SuperEnduro World Champion and Red Bull athlete, Billy Bolt, said: “Red Bull Tyne Ryde is a new concept, it’s been three years in the making, we’ve taken elements from various action sports, put it in the city in front of a big audience with a head-to-head. To be in Newcastle, my home city, such an epic location, we’ve got the river on one side, Tyne Bridge in the background, it’s a match made in heaven. There are places where the riders are jumping three stories up, in the middle of a city with buildings. The whole concept is so unheard of and so unique and I think that has given the event a wow factor with the general public here in Newcastle.”
Event organisers will de-rig the city centre track by 5am on Sunday 4 August, in time for The Quayside Sunday Market to open.
