Videos: Is Nico Vink's Line the Gnarliest of Red Bull Rampage 2015?

Oct 12, 2015
by Red Bull Bike  


RED BULL

RAMPAGE
IS NICO VINK'S LINE THE GNARLIEST OF 2015?



Behind every great rider, is a great dig team. Without a team of skilled builders, a rider couldn’t do much to climb to the top of the podium! Check out the tips and tricks behind building an epic line here:



Nico Vink Gambles on a Steep Line at Rampage 2015 - Amid fierce competition for new lines, Vink finds a bold way to stand out at Red Bull Rampage:



Athlete check in began on Friday – and shovels hit the ground hard for the 10th Edition of Red Bull Rampage. Real estate is a hot commodity – and athletes are openly vying for the top spot on the mountain just three days in.

“There are a lot of lines, but most of them are taken. It’s hard not to step on toes, but we're working together to make something happen.” – Check out the land battle for the best lines at this year’s Red Bull Rampage here:



Bet you’ve never been all fired up like Randy Spangler has – did you hear about the time he got hit by lightning at Red Bull Rampage…twice?




Wanna take a look back at 14 years and 9 competitions?

More updates and all the content you could want can be found daily, starting Tuesday, at redbull.com/rampage.

MENTIONS: @redbull.com/rampage / #rampage / @redbullbike / @claw


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127 Comments
  • 158 19
 "Get off my lawn!" - Graham Waaahhhgassiz Rampage 2015
  • 78 16
 Im sure he's not the only one that is protective of his line, especially when he knows its a winning line. he wants to win just as bad as everyone else and i think it'd be pretty damn hard letting others use your line when they have done no digging on it at all. its the whole "no dig no ride" thing. Could you imagine if you got beat by someone on your own line who did no digging ? that would be devastating.
  • 14 7
 Mean ol' man Graham!
  • 77 3
 @sweet-bike I'm sure that would suck to lose on your own line and I get the "no dig-no ride". However, it's a relatively small piece of land and just because it was 'your' line last year shouldn't mean you own it forever. I mean at that rate there wouldn't be any options left for a newbie. Hell the guy even got called out by the Claw....by the chilliest dude on that mountain for being agro....
  • 143 12
 #makeaggyshare
  • 43 0
 I just watched the 2002 Rampage on MFYM, and it was cool to see CG say it was a cool vibe compared to the uptight world cups. It seems like some freeriders are losing that easy going nature. You would think the Fest Series guys would be more chill, and just want to throw down together, like they have all year long. I guess competition brings out a different person in some riders.
  • 10 8
 He is hungry, whether he is being stingy or not the dude is due for a win, he got hurt last year and I still think his dumped 3 from 2013 was one of the best things I have ever seen on a bike, if he finished that run he would have won easily.
  • 32 1
 @sweet-bike I get that no dig no ride, but what do you do if the best lines are all taken? So its not about the best rider, its about the best dig crew? It would be boss it Agassiz let people ride his line and still won.
  • 22 5
 Someone call the Whaaaambulance!
  • 7 1
 I think if some one else want to use Aggy's line at least that man asked first and do the digging thing in a team.
  • 20 18
 I think Andreu hit the nail on the head when he said "we put in X amount of hours on this line and you just want to use it w/o helping?".
  • 41 3
 Rampage used to be punk as fuck, now it just seems corporate as fuck. Don't get me wrong, I'm still stoked for the riding.. But politics doesn't belong in a freeride.
  • 15 0
 @Pininator - I understand what you are saying but if that is the case then rampage will just die off. The current top riders are going to protect their lines and no new riders can ever make their way into the event cause there are no good lines left to ride. I am all for a "no dig no ride" mentality but the riders need to re-think that for this event and figure out how to allow the other riders a way in. Let's don't let pride be the downfall of the event.
  • 4 3
 No dig, No ride is true of literally anywhere you ride. But just cause you're new and you show up to a set of jumps that are already built doesn't mean you can't help. I just moved, i've done my digging by patching up lips and berms, watering, etc. Just cause you're new doesn't mean you can't invest time on a line and that applies to rampage to. you offer to swing pick for 5 hours, they're probably gonna be way more relaxed about letting you ride that line.
  • 13 1
 Berrcloth is a real down to earth dude, I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping dig, or teaming up with Aggy and Lacondeguy to help build new features too.. Seems like they're just not being cool about it..
  • 18 3
 If someone beats you on your own line then they were a better rider that day. Having line tenure last over to the next year is absurd in a field with so many riders and such limited space. Without a rule regarding that it makes it harder and harder for new riders. I understand not wanting people to ride your line, and I strongly doubt its even about work put in at this point. Don't ride it if they build it that year, but if it's an old feature, open season.
  • 1 1
 I thought they were moving to a new zone this year?
  • 7 0
 j-t-g has it figured out. The judges messed up last year by giving Aggy such a high score on qualifiers. More points for riding down that line than tricking any other last year.
  • 32 1
 Andreu says "you have to at least ask"... sounds fair, and he seems open to a bit of collaboration....

Graham says "at least 3 guys have asked and I've turned them all down".... hmmmmm....

Being called out by Darren may be well overdue if we think back to how Will White was treated.

I also think it's a bit boring for spectators and for the event if the winning line from last year just gets ridden again by a select one or maybe two guys. Rampage is about innovation, mutual respect and a chilled vibe.... or at least it always was
  • 14 0
 Why isn't there just a rule that anything that's already there, whether it be natural or from previous years, is open to anyone? Otherwise guys who've been there for longer have a better chance AND we're less likely to see the crazy innovation that makes rampage what it is. To make that practicable the judges could put a decent bit of emphasis on new lines - so if Aggy bangs out his run from last year again he won't win with it. If it's not possible to build anything new, they might as well just ban building and make it a slopestyle comp on what's already there - or find a new site Wink
  • 9 0
 I agree that creativity should be scored highly and re-riding an existing line be it you own or someone else's should be marked down.
  • 6 3
 Too many riders are invited... That is the problem.
  • 3 4
 I think you guys are blowin this out of proportion a bit, we havent even seen other peoples lines like Semenuks, Zinks, McCauls, Rheeders etc. They might have the best run but they still have to ride down it. If it truly is the hardest line down the hill, they might not even make it all the way. Plus the judging criteria includes everything from tricks to creativity to difficulty. Just cuz somebody has the steepest line that isnt an automatic win for them, they still gotta put in work to make it down alive.
  • 5 12
flag mddigger (Oct 13, 2015 at 6:13) (Below Threshold)
 Oh and if there was a rule that everyone could ride any line, they would all be riding the same line, seriously you guys are soft as f*ck, you here some comments from a few people on a redbull video and make it sound like the competition is over. Do you guys really wana watch everyone ride the same damned line? Leave it to pinkbike goons to take everything that somebody says in a 2 minute video to heart, bring on the hate fools.
  • 3 0
 Graham it seems stupid in this edition, that's the truth.
  • 6 1
 Even in the video about Vink's line Aggy seems a bit grouchy. Like when Andreu is asked about it he seems stoked, saying how cool it is to see guys find a line and make something gnarly that wasn't there before. But when they interview Aggy he's all like "eh, I don't even know what their doing up there".
  • 6 0
 Waaaaaaaampage
  • 4 0
 This is a sign that rampage has to become a year long tour style event. It'll let the big mountain guys showcase what they can do in a variety of conditions and terrain, plus the overall winner of that year would be a pretty damn coveted title for freeride.. Coming up with the best line in Utah/BC/Alaska/Colorado/The alps etc..
  • 2 0
 Kind of ironic for the Claw! Wink
  • 4 1
 Some of you need to tone down the hyperbole. Right there Aggy said that he turned people away from riding the hip. He didn't say anything about his entire line. People are telling him there isn't any other options but he said he can see three more. So maybe the issue isn't that it's the only option, rather that they don't want to put in the work to build something of their own. Think about it for half a second and maybe give Aggy a break.
  • 1 0
 No competition= boring contest imo
  • 2 0
 Also, these guys are out digging in the sun all day, tempers are likely to be short.
  • 1 0
 I guess we can all complain about the lack of competition once we see whether it's actually boring or not.
  • 73 1
 I like Nico's attitude. When he says its the gnarliest thing hes ever hit, its kinda scary. These dudes really are pushing the limits
  • 54 0
 Yeah, they're staring at what looks like a wall and are like "Tis a good line." I can't even tell where it is, it all looks bonkers steep. Need an infographic.
  • 15 1
 When dude jumping 80 footers for breakfast feeling scared and worried.
  • 10 0
 Niko, Tyler, Darren and Kurt have the right mentality for Rampage and I can't wait to see what they come up with
  • 9 0
 That's not a line it's a feckin cliff face!!
  • 2 0
 It'a millenary technique. It keeps poachers away
  • 23 1
 I seem to recall Lacondeguy in a video of a previous year's Rampage complaining about a bunch of "line choice drama" and wishing people would just forget it and focus on riding and having fun. Anyone remember better than me where this clip was from? Shame to see him on the other side of the argument. I get that it sucks to have someone else profit from your hard work, but at the end of the day, do you want to win Rampage because you were the most territorial, or because you were the best?
  • 13 1
 Yeah but this year he gets to join the old boys club and keep people off of his precious year old lines
  • 6 0
 Graham's line wasn't Andreu's until he was out with injury. The vibe I got from Andreu in the vid above was he was a bit more open to collaboration whereas Graham is flat out just saying no to anyone. I guess Andreu is trying to stay in the good books and ride last years line whilst also not alienate the other guys.... whereas Aggy doesn't seem to give a monkeys about anyone else
  • 25 2
 Not sure if the guy is a total badass or a total dumbass for not going to the hospital after getting lit up by lightning...im leaning towards dumbass
  • 11 0
 Yeah, he seriously could have died in his sleep. You're supposed to be monitored for 24hrs after a shock.
  • 17 2
 #yoloitsrampage
  • 7 0
 Yea I got hit with 440v 60amps welding. Luckily my heart didn't go into arrhythmia, but the entire day is just a blur after that shock. On that day, I was the dumbass.
  • 3 0
 @somismtb I bet that stung a bunch. My worst so far has been 250V DC (submarine battery). Also, I would say it's not common knowledge to go get monitored after taking a shock and walking away from it. I think people assume they will be just fine when they could be setting themselves up for failure.
  • 22 3
 It is too small of a venue for someone to claim an entire line to themselves. They should just make it mandatory for everyone competing to put in a certain amount of build time.

Think about it. If there was a dirt jump contest everyone has the opportunity to hit the same line and the best rider wins. Should be the same here. Go ahead and create a bad ass line, but it's open to everyone. I'm seriously bummed how they are being so protective of "their lines". Furthermore, I never realized how much they are hacking away at such an amazing place. They are really laying waste to it these days. Rant over.
  • 8 1
 have a lot of mixed feelings over this. But honestly, limit the build time, force the riders to work together to create mutual lines, and as a result reduce the damage to the environment. but if they did that, then the runs don't show each rider's individual style and it's less interesting to watch and it wouldn't make it so unique and insanely amazing. rampage will always be an issue in the sport because it's combining things that don't go together, the ideals of freeride, with the fierceness of competition, and the effects of television.
  • 1 0
 im with @cheezeweazel, as long as everyone's putting in the time building they should all have equal opportunity
  • 20 0
 "You're blue, You're blue" haha. On the other hand Vink is crazy. Just standing at the top of that schute and I would have to change my underwear let alone drop in!
  • 20 0
 is rampage just turning into a bickering match?? wish there was a way around all the drama
  • 10 0
 Wait until the judging comes in! Smile
  • 13 0
 I think the no dig no ride idea is such a load of shit. Down under in NZ or Australia, if you are lucky enough to see a like minded person out riding some of the more remote trails, whether you found them, built them whatever, you are usually stoked to cut a few laps with the person, rather than give them this condescending shit "have you earnt the right to ride here, or even know about this trail". When living in British Columbia this attitude was a real put off.
  • 12 1
 Claw has a good point that Aggy/Lacondeguy have the highest scoring lines. That kinda makes it difficult for the other riders.
  • 5 4
 Because the points were revealed at Qualis and Finals. They put effort to search and build the lines and took risk to ride it. It's not nice to ride their line and win the competition. Only solution is Redbull changes location every year.
  • 13 4
 The 'line rage' is starting to get a bit out of control and is distracting form what is a great event. Maybe they need a larger venue with more options to choose from, or the organisers should build standard lines for all competitors to use.
  • 5 2
 I agree, also possibly less invited riders? Seems like a lot of people these past 2 years vs years past.
  • 5 0
 Standard lines would kind of defeat the whole point of rampage. They should just find a bigger venue
  • 2 0
 What I was thinking with the standard lines is have 10 or so really good lines that can be used by any rider in entirety or incorporated into riders own lines. In this way it would give riders that haven't staked out their own line (e.g. the Claw) a good chance at a podium finish, but it also gives riders the option of cutting a unique line down as well. But I agree the current Rampage venue is limited on real-estate which is limiting options either way.
  • 9 0
 3rd video @ 2:01... hes leaning over the edge, reaching down and chipping with a shovel... i wouldnt even do that, let alone ride the dang thing. these guys are nuts. so pumped to watch this year.
  • 7 0
 Redbull should standardize the best lines for all the riders to use in the comp and leave the rest for creativity with the dig teams. Claiming shit you scoped out when you don't even own the mountain is bs. Last years 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners should get first dibs.
  • 7 0
 It's a shame that all riders can't come into the competition even. It's also feels unfair that riders get to walk back to their lines from last year and now double the work on them when others are left having to start from scratch with second choice of terrain. The hosts should have considered this and either reclaimed what was built or picked a new location.
  • 11 1
 I hope Nico wins or someone poach Aggy's line & wins.
  • 9 1
 Pick a fresh location every year - bickering over existing older line choices is moot - and levels the playing field.
  • 2 0
 I think regardless someone won't be happy.. Brett rheeder said last year there was still arguments over lines, I think it's unavoidable sometimes
  • 4 1
 i get that building the best line can help riders win with creativity and difficulty. so i understand that aggy and surely others get protective over their lines. not to mention all the hard work. but it does make sense that with a limited space at each site that they could be sharing. doesn't seem like too much of a new concept. i know zink and strait sometimes do. maybe each team/sponsor gets a line they can share, or maybe if a rider ends up poaching a line they get a point withdrawn overall. i always liked the fact that andreu rode everyones line. thats what i would do if i could. surely its not just a matter of what they ride, but how they ride it.

can't wait! stoked to see claw back in it. aggy is always so creative. and zink will blow our minds with something special like always.

have fun and be safe guys.
  • 3 0
 Yeah, it's a far cry from where the Rampage used to be, apparently. Check out the video from the early 2000s in the "Movies for Your Monday" this week.
  • 6 0
 I think if you build a line then it's yours for that year but next year it should be open to anyone who wants to hit it.
  • 10 0
 Or you get scored down for lack of building and repeating a line year on year (i.e. lose points for lack of creativity)
  • 3 0
 Is it me or this is not really a freeride event in it's true nature? Seems like everyone creates temporary dirt parks more and more, instead of choosing truly natural lines. Not to take away from the difficulty of it all, but it just doesn;t seem as "organig" as it used to be.
  • 1 0
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pcCYfn66aE Real freeride
  • 6 0
 Where's Brendon Semenuks line!
  • 3 0
 Building quietly as usual.
  • 2 0
 I thought these lines were natural and the riders creatively strung them together. Now I find that most of them are man-made. This takes away a lot of the charm of the Rampage (for me). And the bickering is not very nice to watch either.
  • 4 0
 RB should destroy all rider features before next rampage, let the everyone start from the same point.
  • 6 0
 DRAMA!
  • 11 2
 Dude seriously they need to have beef and shit and someone's gotta start crying and oh shit! they voted they voted graham off the island and lacondeguy and nico are getting married and jesus fuck what has become of mountain biking
  • 3 0
 No rose for the Claw!
  • 1 0
 I just realized how fun it would be to build at rampage! The creativity is through the roof! Nico for sure has one of the craziest lines. I had to watch the video twice to see where he would actually come into the line!
  • 1 1
 Red Bull could hire the build teams to go out and build lines with no athlete influence, then all the riders could show up and roast the course on practice day without seeing the goods. This would eliminate the "ownership" of the lines and allow everyone an even chance. HOWEVER, because they do have the riders out there building their own lines for days, the riders are doing exactly what needs to be done to increase their chances of a win. How long do you think their careers as professional crazy men are going to last? This is one of, if not the biggest contest of the year and winning it has serious effects on the riders. A lot of people say they understand the no dig no ride aspect, but if you think Aggy is being shady, then you truly dont. He is simply going along with the format provided to him. Im not saying teaming up with another rider (such as claw) wouldnt be "the right" thing to do. Maybe the organizers should take a little of the heat.
  • 1 1
 Hey guys, sorry I bother you around here but... If you could help us saving this dirt jumps in AB that would be sweet... I'll leave the link around for all of you kind guys from pinkbike.
And counting days to rampage! lml

www.pinkbike.com/news/help-save-the-pines-dirt-jumps-2015.html
  • 4 0
 Sean Pettit's ice wall ride was pretty sick
  • 4 0
 Every one should do Aggy,s line. Animation was boss!
  • 2 2
 “Open terrain”
Everything is “fair game”

IF you’re a Puss and have a problem…with anyone using a part of your line…
Meet down at the bottom for some good ole fashioned fisticuffs…

Learn to Share…or Fight!
  • 4 1
 That dirt tube is like a big Reyclarolla.
  • 1 0
 Haha hell yeah! Adam Carolla kicks ass
  • 10 0
 Who thought it was a skinny into a gnarly drop at first too?
  • 2 0
 Spangler is a true mountainbiking icon er whatever! "You're blue, probably should have gone to the hospital but..."
  • 1 0
 I am stoked that the pro riders and builders are using the same exact shovel set that I have, one part of my kit is up to pro standards.
  • 3 0
 Soooo GNARLY!!!
  • 2 0
 Reminds me of Josh benders lines from back in the day
  • 14 13
 Someone is going to die from rampage eventually, whether it be a trail builder or a rider...
  • 35 1
 people have died from vending machines; Therefore, vending machines are more dangerous than rampage.
  • 1 4
 You meant someone is going to die from eating bad sushi right?
  • 1 0
 Its got to be one of the gnarliest competitions in all of sport, the crash reels make me cringe.
  • 7 0
 Damn vending machines.
  • 6 0
 Two people died in competition in Colorado this summer. An EWS rider in Crested Butte due to blunt force trauma, and a Leadville 100 rider due to... it being the Leadville 100. I would have wagered that the first death in major competition would have been at Rampage. RIP Will and Scott.

I hope we never experience a death at Rampage, but the lines they are "riding" are ridiculous.
  • 3 0
 Don't forget last year a lady died in XC world cup practice as well...
  • 1 0
 Roc d'Azur (the biggest MTB competition for sure) got its share of death (mostly heart attack), worse year it was 5 if I remember well.
  • 2 0
 "Nearly two dozen cyclists have been killed on Bolivia’s so-called Death Road, which descends 11,000 feet from the snow-capped Andes to the rainforest. That peril is part of its allure"
http://www.wsj.com/articles/bicyclists-defy-bolivias-death-road-1430127002
  • 1 0
 Wait...I can get sushi from a vending machine? Somebody take my money!!!!
  • 3 1
 This Rampage might be the gnarliest. I can't wait. It's like Christmas
  • 1 0
 Who builds the big wooden features like the canyon gap and that massive step down? Red Bull?
  • 4 0
 build crews hired by redbull
  • 3 0
 "It is rampage"
  • 2 0
 Drama: First Norbs sighting, post CC breakup! What will we learn?
  • 5 0
 We'll learn that he got robbed
  • 2 0
 Yeah Gaetan! Sick line bro! Want to see Vink and Vinny T hitting that!
  • 2 0
 Nico \m/ SLAYER f*ckIN SLAYER \m/
  • 1 1
 Stupid question, but does a comp like this take the building into consideration when judging?
Theres definitely enough pre event coverage an hype for that to happen
  • 1 0
 So...if you don't ask and just boost someone else's line, do the judges care?
  • 1 1
 I would assume that sort of thing gets taken into consideration by the judges. A full-blown poach of a full line is likely frowned upon. This is just my assumption, though.
  • 1 0
 OH man that Spangler video was one of the most entertaining things I've seen in a while. "You're blue! You're blue!"
  • 1 0
 Pretty sad the top world cup racers are more chilled out than the top freeridrs.
  • 1 0
 And what about the weather this week-end in Virgin Utah ?

Bad news...
  • 8 8
 This is the best post on Pinkbike in a long time. More Rampage build videos, way less enduro.
  • 1 0
 @pinkbikeaudience More Rampage coverage please!
  • 1 0
 next year they'll start the "bring your own ramp age"
  • 1 0
 "YEAH SPANGLER"
  • 2 2
 They're Ruining the Moss!!!
  • 1 1
 All I wanna hear about is Bernard's mustang.
  • 1 0
 it's a teevee show.
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