MTB
From jaw-dropping runs to incredible tricks, these are 16 of the most exciting and groundbreaking moments to have ever happened at Red Bull Rampage.
They say that you should always save the best for last and, when it comes to the mountain biking season, freeride spectacle Red Bull Rampage ensures exactly that.
Rampage gives the best freeriders in the world just over a week to build a gnarly trail line down a mountain – with no power tools and only two trail builders to help them with the dig – and practise that line. A panel of judges then watches on as each respective rider takes their unique line down the mountain, pushing themselves and the sport to the limit in a bid to take the coveted crown.
The contest is arguably the one mountain biking showcase that really transcends the sport each year and grabs the attention of the mainstream media. Expect world firsts. Expect extreme step downs. Expect high-risk and high-reward riding and, whatever happens, expect it to make your parents, friends and colleagues more concerned about your weekend mountain bike hobby.
To get you in the mood for Red Bull Rampage 2023 relive the contest's best moments since Rampage got going in 2001.
01
2003: Cédric Gracia brings rotations to Rampage
Cédric Gracia pitched up at Red Bull Rampage in 2003 as a downhill mountain biking legend. His iconic win at Leysin in 2000, beating countryman Nicolas Vouilloz by more than nine seconds in wet and wild conditions, was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to his accomplishments on the racing circuit. It’s safe to say that nobody ever doubted the freeride skills of a man talented enough to showboat off the final jump in Leysin that day, but Gracia firmly cemented his legendary status when he took home gold at Red Bull Rampage in 2003 with this classic run.
02
2004: Kyle Strait and the no-hander
What were you doing when you were 14 years old? If the answer is “Mountain biking every weekend,” then you were probably a pretty cool kid, and if your answer is, “Riding Red Bull Rampage,” well, then, you’re Kyle Strait.
US freerider Strait is a Rampage legend. He debuted when he was just 14 years old and, three years later, in 2004, he won the thing as a 17-year-old – after competing against doctors' orders and throwing the insane no-hander above that still gives us chills.
03
2008: Brandon Semenuk wins at 17
Returning to Utah after a four-year break for safety reasons, another 17-year-old introduced himself to the top of the podium at Red Bull Rampage: Brandon Semenuk.
A new name to nobody in mountain biking after he'd come third in Red Bull Joyride, the big stop on the slopestyle circuit in Whistler the year before, Brandon gave us all a taste of what was to come in his career. Not only that, he gave Rampage its second consecutive winner too young to legally pop open the champagne at the end. Fast forward 57 seconds in the video above to watch Semenuk's run.
04
2010: Cam Zink’s 360
We love a good 360. These days you could say a ‘good old’ 360 as you don’t see many 360s in competitions anymore – but they just look so good, don’t they? A good 360, one in difficult conditions, nailed with control and precision, is a beautiful, unexpected thing.
And are there any more famous than Cam Zink’s during his Rampage-winning run in 2010? Look at it. Just look at what he’s gone and done. It’s beautiful. We’re not crying. You’re crying. Leave us alone with our 360s.
05
2013: Cam Zink’s 78ft step down backflip
This 78ft [23.77m] step down backflip is not only one of the most impressive Red Bull Rampage moments, but regarded as one of the most impressive in mountain biking history. And the fact he only came third in this particular year (Strait took the win) just shows how good the competitors can be.
06
2013: Kelly McGarry backflips the Road Gap
New Zealand rider Kelly McGarry tragically passed away back in 2016. One of the things he’ll always be remembered for is his historic backflip over the 72ft [22m] canyon gap at Red Bull Rampage in 2013. The video above breaks down the feat and explains how truly impressive and dangerous the trick was to land – a true legend of Red Bull Rampage and the sport.
07
2014: Andreu Lacondeguy gets his win at last
Andreu Lacondeguy finished third at Red Bull Rampage seemingly every year since its conception – or at least that’s what it felt like at times. He finally got the big W in 2014, with a run that, for many, was Red Bull Rampage mountain biking in its truest freeriding form – super fast, super flowy, and truly jaw-dropping.
08
2015: Nicholi Rogatkin’s 30ft fall and recovery
When you’re asked about the Red Bull Rampage moment that stands out to you, there’s a good chance that the first thing that comes to mind won’t be a winning run, but a horrid crash.
Watching Nicholi Rogatkin fall off a 30ft [9.1m] clip in 2015 was a scary moment. The American slopestyle star is an unpredictable rider at the best of times and one of the most creative and entertaining riders to watch year in, year out, but this was something else. Viewers around the world were just praying he was okay.
In true Rogatkin style, Nicholi didn’t just get right back up after this barbaric crash. He went and finished the rest of his run as well. It was an uncomfortable moment, but it was also a moment that mountain biking will never forget.
09
2016: Brandon Semenuk stomps one of the greatest runs ever
Eight years after winning the contest for the first time as a 17-year-old, Brandon Semenuk well and truly realised his potential, not only becoming one of the best slopestyle riders in the world but one of the best mountain bikers full stop.
He demonstrated that beyond doubt in Utah, starting with a unique double drop tough enough to put most of us in hospital and followed it up with an insane run that had commentators comparing him to the late, great Dave Mirra.
10
2016: Antoine Bizet nails the first double backflip seen at Red Bull Rampage
In 2016 Antonie Bizet returned with a vengeance, landing Red Bull Rampage's first-ever double backflip and riding with strength. He controls the bike like it's in a video game and does so at speed. The crowd were behind him all the way with big cheers, and the smile on his face when he nabbed second place for the second time – his first was in 2012 – was even bigger.
11
2017: Kurt Sorge becomes the first three-time winner
When your mum asks if you’re really going to be okay mountain biking this weekend, with an obvious air of concern in her voice, this is the video that she’s just accidentally ended up watching on her Facebook timeline.
There was a lot of debate around the judging of Red Bull Rampage last year. Should Bizet have won? Should Semenuk have been ranked higher? Was Zink robbed? One thing is for sure – watching this run gives us major goosebumps. It's a perfect blend of all-out freeriding and pure slopestyle perfection. An incredible run from a Rampage legend who, somehow, hasn't been mentioned in this list until the end. What was it we said about saving the best for last?
12
2018: Brett Rheeder eventually seals gold after 6 times at Rampage
The level of riding for the 2018 competition was immensely high. Just when cynics didn't think Red Bull Rampage could get any bigger, a new venue comes along, and the riders raise their game. Standout moments include Tom van Steenbergen's backflip off a huge flat drop, pretty much everything Ethan Nell and Andreu Lacondeguy did on their bikes and Brett Rheeder taking his first Rampage victory.
“This is my sixth time competing at Red Bull Rampage, and my first three years were tough. I was way out of my element, and it took a long time to finally be a contender for the title, and it feels unreal,” an elated Rheeder said in the finish area after the event.
13
2019: Andreu Lacondeguy makes an incredible save
It was Andreu Lacondeguy's last chance of the day, after a crash on his trick-packed first run spoiled his efforts. The Spaniard reeled things back slightly on his second run, but landing off-line after a flip saw dust flying up from Lacondeguy as he battled to keep his bike straight. Incredibly, he managed to avoid going off the edge of the cliff. The commentators described it as "a recovery of a lifetime" and "one of the most one-the-edge run we've seen at Rampage."
14
2019: It's three-peat time for Semenuk
After a year to forget at the new Red Bull Rampage location in 2018, where he crashed on both of his runs, Brandon Semenuk was back at his best with a jaw-dropping winning ride that was packed full of style, technical tricks and big air. A top-side Nac Nac followed by a Front Flip on a double drop were the highlights of his winning run. 2018 winner Brett Rheeder came close to unseating Semenuk with his Backflip One-Footed Can Can off a flat drop drawing gasps from the watching crowd.
In the end, though, Semenuk would be crowned as Red Bull Rampage champion for the third time. How did this win compare to his wins in 2008 and 2016 was the answer everyone wanted to know. Typically understated, Semenuk said it was hard to say, "Obviously, the last two wins were great, too, but to take the third one, I'm speechless. I don't know. It's awesome."
15
2021: Semenuk stands alone as the most successful Rampage rider ever
Semenuk moved ahead of Kurt Sorge to become the athlete who has won the most Red Bull Rampage's ever with a fourth win. After failing to complete his first run, Semenuk only had a short turnaround to get back up on the mountain to compose himself for a make-or-break second run. If there was pressure on him, Semenuk didn't show it as he stomped a technical and challenging line in a blur of technical spin and whip combos. A Tail-Whip off a flat drop was the big standout on the run. The win also meant that Semenuk became the first back-to-back Red Bull Rampage winner in the event's history.
"After making a mistake in my first run, I had the body moving and nerves out and just wanted to get the run I wanted done," Semenuk said after that winning second run.
16
2022: Jaxson Riddle brings motocross style to Rampage
Jaxson Riddle may have not won Rampage in 2022 but he certainly did bring a smile to those watching on the mountainside and those at home via Red Bull TV. The Utah-native put together an audacious run that paid homage to the riding and tricks of the early Rampages with its heavy motocross leanings. The run included within it a Saran Wrap, a Heel Clicker, and a Suicide No Hander among other retro-type tricks. Even his dismount in the finish coral was different, as he flipped his body over the handlebars.
There could only be one person that could be awarded the Michelin Style award, and it duly went to Riddle.
Watch the full replay of Red Bull Rampage 2022 on Red Bull TV here.
