Red Bull X-Alps 2027: Who’s in, who’s out?

This is a Red Bull X-Alps special in which Tarquin is joined by former athlete Tom Payne to discuss the 2027 lineup of the race. Who’s in, who’s out? 

The podcast however begins with Tom and Tarquin reflecting on their time supporting Idris Birch at the Dolomiti Superfly this summer during which Remi Bourdelle tragically lost his life after hitting a cable. Tom explains why cables are visible on some apps, but not others, and gives some insight into the challenges of making all cables visible across all platforms. 

The pair then move onto Red Bull X-Alps and begin by discussing who didn’t apply and who didn’t make the cut. Notably, this includes many French pilots such as Maxime Pinot, Damien Lacaze and Tim Alongi. Tarquin tackles the theory Tim didn’t get in due to “that video” last year, when Tim aired some disparaging views about the race live on camera on top of the Niesen Turnpoint. 

After discussing the retirement of other veterans such as Tobias Grossrubatscher and Tommy Friedrich, the pair move onto the actual list of athletes, beginning by discussing the seven women in the race. The pair share some insights into their experience and why they believe this will add an exciting new dimension to the race. Tarquin reflects that Celene Lorenz, Solène Rombourg, Elisa Deutschmann and Romy Sweda have all been interviewed previously in the magazine.

They then move onto the French lineup which – with the exception of Tanguy Renaud-Goud, is completely new. Who are the young guns now hungry to take on the legends of the race? 

Those legends are also back, among them Chrigel Maurer, Aaron Durogati and Tom de Dorlodot, competing in his tenth edition. 

The pair then take a moment to discuss the fascinating results of a study done by the Swiss pilot Simon Steiner who has compared all the tracklogs of athletes going back 20 years. (The results can be viewed here).

The podcast finishes with a look at some of the other rookies and returning athletes.