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See the best photos from the first Rampage ever
We pick our favourite photos from the inaugural 2001 Red Bull Rampage.
The first Red Bull Rampage took place in 2001. Compared to the giant media event that Rampage has become today, the Rampage of 15 years ago was a much smaller affair – but it didn't lack huge action. Veteran Red Bull photographer Christian Pondella was there to capture the craziness. We looked back and picked out favourite shots.
Red Bull Rampage's first rider to drop in
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
At the inaugural event, Utah resident Kris "Krispy" Baumann was the first rider to ever drop in for an official run at Rampage. The tyre tracks to follow have made history...
Red Bull Rampage Podium 2001
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
A modest and humble podium played the stage for the inaugural Rampage winners. From left to right: Robbie Bourdon (third), Wade Simmons (first) and Greg Smith (second).
The Godfather of Freeride: Wade Simmons
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
Wade Simmons: 2001 Red Bull Rampage Champion
© Red Bull
Wade waits his turn
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
Fittingly, the "Godfather of Freeride" Wade Simmons took the victory at the inaugural event at the original Rampage site. Unlike the following sites, it was easily located off the side of a road outside Virgin. Aspiring Rampagers still test their mettle on this course.
Robbie Bourdon's 2001 air over the rock flake
© Red Bull
Smooth as Bourdon
© Christian Pondella
Robbie Bourdon narrowly escapes fall from cliff
© Red Bull
In 2001, Robbie Bourdon was a superstar of Andreu Lacondeguy-proportions. Small in stature but huge in personality, Bourdon crashed in his final run and almost fell off a large cliff. After being helped back onto solid ground, Bourdon famously ran back up to hit the line again and took third place with huge jumps and rock solid riding.
Star Spangled Sender: Randy Spangler
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
Randy Spangler, dropping from the top
© Red Bull
Randy Spangler, side drop
© Red Bull
Randy Spangler has been a fixture at Rampage since day one, first as an athlete and now as a judge and lead machine operator on the course construction crew. Fun fact: He’s also been struck by lightning twice while working on past Rampage courses in the Utah desert.
Dave Watson, coming up short on the canyon gap
© Red Bull
Course building in 2001 was a little primitive...
© Red Bull
A young Thomas Vanderham and Richie Schley
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
The first Red Bull Rampage was all about proof of concept. The riders had to prove this mountain could be conquered and not everyone was sure it was possible. Riders with only the highest pedigree were called in for the test. A top racer and prioneer of freeriding in Canada, Dave Watson was up for the challenge.
In the first year of Rampage no riders brought dig crews to help them sculpt extensive stunts. Rudimentary lines and jumps were hastily scratched and raked into the landscape. It makes big hucks like this one even more impressive. Not every run went smoothly ...
Rock well for downhiller Myles
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
Myles Rockwell on a big drop
© Red Bull
Myles goes down in final practice
© Red Bull
In 2001, Myles Rockwell was a superstar. He’d won the world downhill championships the year before and showed up at Rampage hungry for speed. With his tradmark fast and smooth style, Rockwell was favoured for the podium but in a gnarly crash the morning of finals – attempting to gap the famous "rock flake" – he broke his wrist, leaving him unable to compete in the finals.
Mike Kinrade
© Red Bull
With a true spirit of freeride: Mike Kinrade
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
Meaty lines from Darren Butler
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
Canadians Mike Kinrade and Darren Butler showed up early to Rampage and scouted a line that would later be mistakenly dubbed “All American Beef.” Disappointed that other riders were poaching their line in practice, they ended up spearheading the famous “Canadian Bacon” line that Wade Simmons would win with. When that line started to get ridden in practice, Butler and Kinrade found yet another, third line that they rode in the competition. Riding your own, unique terrain is a hallmark of Rampage and the pioneers made a point of it.
Kyle Strait was the youngest competitor in 2001
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
On the drop for Kyle. Not bad for a young one
© Red Bull
Kyle still competes at Rampage all these years on
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
The youngest athlete invited in 2001 was Kyle Strait. With victories in 2004 and 2013, Strait is Rampage's only two-time winner, as well as the only rider to have competed in every Rampage event.
East Coast downhill racer Lars Tribus showed up at Rampage and rode fast and hard until he busted himself up in numerous crashes. Although he qualified for the finals, a tweaked knee kept the New Jersey native from ever riding in them.
Lars Tribus goes for broke
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
While downhill racer Scott Hart only competed in the first Rampage, he went on to co-found Decline Magazine and work with Red Bull on future bike projects.
Red Bull USA's own Scott Hart, back in 2001
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
Rampage has a long history of humbling superstars. Here, the Godfather of Freeride and eventual 2001 Rampage winner, Wade Simmons, gets a dose of dirt in the Utah desert.
Even godfathers fall down: Wade Simmons
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
On the first year of Rampage an impromptu dirt jump session broke out, featuring Kyle Strait, Robbie Bourdon and others. Early "New World Disorder" video series star John Cowan easily outshone the rest of the field with his now-iconic bag of tricks.
Extracurricular Activities
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull
The 10th edition of Red Bull Rampage returns on October 17 – watch the LIVE webcast of all the action on Red Bull TV.
Can’t wait until October to get your gut-wrenching, nail-biting freeride fix? Find more exclusive photos and videos on the official eventRed Bull Rampage event page.
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