Angus Young | Hardennes 2025

No-one ever said this was going to be easy.

Fresh from his record-breaking win at the Dales Divide, MASON-supported rider Angus Young swapped his Macro for his MASON Bokeh and headed to Belgium, where the Hardennes (a hard race in the Ardennes, obviously), offered him a fast-rolling event among the rolling green hills of Wallonia.

Ultra racing is inherently full of challenges, but this time Angus was dealt a blow when minor illness came to him as he prepared for the Hardennes. Not even fully recovered, he lined up in Belgium still feeling under form, but raring to go.

Even with the setback of illness, Angus quickly established lead position, showing the determination and grit that have become his hallmarks. Over the hours, Angus was passed by the ludicrously speedy Victor de Terwangne, yet still held on to second place, eventually crossing the line in 43 hours 58 minutes – one of only five competitors to finish the Hardennes within the two-day mark.

Reflecting on the Hardennes, Angus says:

If I’m honest I’d say that I only enjoyed the first 90% of the event, the final part was spent with my bib straps down. Nonetheless, I was still happy to nurse my way into second place behind Victor who was flying. I was a complete shell at the end and still wasn’t fully with it 24hours later. All brain power went on a level that I hadn’t experienced before.

This is what Angus does. He takes on huge challenges and powers through. It's why we're proud to support him.

For the Hardennes, Angus was riding a MASON Bokeh – the bicycle designed for fast, light, long rides on variable lanes and gravel trails. Whether or not you can ever see yourself taking on the kind of rides Angus tackles, the Bokeh – with its brand new 2005 updates – might be what you need for your own tough days out. 

We love the way these photos – by 2shadowland_be on Instagram – capture Angus's experience of the Hardennes. Give him a follow.