2013 Red Bull Rampage: Impressions

Nov 11, 2013 at 22:04
by Julian Coffey  
at the 2013 Redbull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA



AGGY

Every year after Rampage you leave thinking "That was the craziest shit I have ever seen, it can't get any gnarlier than that!". But it does, time and time again, and this year was no exception. For the grip full of athletes that are out there to win, we're literally putting our lives on the line and I know that a lot of us feel that the risk to reward ratio is never in our favour.

On finals day my crew was up at 5am working on my line, I got to the site at 7am and look up to see headlamps and a stone saw roaring through the Mesa. They were working on the line pretty much to the point right before I had to drop in, they were easily one of the most dedicated crews out there. Working on not one but two separate lines simultaneously, from sun up to sun down every day.

It was an emotional week for me, so many highs and lows and not only physically but mentally exhausting as well. I can't thank my crew enough, Taylor, Brad, and Matty. Also Sterl, Shandro and Sorge for coaching me. Rampage will forever be on my bucket list - came pretty close this year but there's always next!



at the 2013 Redbull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA



T MAC

Going into Rampage this year I planned on not holding back an ounce, I wanted to win. I found a drop that I wanted to incorporate into my line that I can confidently say I believe was bigger than the Icon Sender, and it was dirt to dirt. My crew and I started building and the nerves started to sink in. I was confident in my line though and felt that it had the potential of getting me onto the podium. Come finals day I was more confident than ever until I woke up to howling winds and word that I would have to drop first. There was no practice that morning because we were all afraid of dropping in the wind. My first run was the first time I rode a lot of that stuff, and my confidence wasn't all there as I was just waiting for the wind to push me around off of my drops.  

After loosening up a bit in my first run, I felt better and was ready to ride the way I had originally anticipated for my second run. I flipped one of my step downs like I wanted and was planning on no handering the big dirt to dirt drop that followed it, but I guess I still had the wind in the back of my mind and left my hands on the bars. It was still enough to bump my score up 5 points though and I was beyond thrilled to be less than 2 points away from first place. In the end, that second run didn't end up counting because not everyone was able to drop in for their second runs due to wind, and I had a real weird feeling about that score being taken away from me. However, there's no real way around that rule and I understand that that's the way it had to be. Getting top 5 two years in a row with no crashes still feels like a win to me and I already can't wait for next year. I'll be back hungrier than ever in 2014.



The Claw



BEARCLAW

I had an interesting way to see the Red Bull Rampage this year, spectating rather than competing. Though I would rather of been shredding with my buds I still enjoyed being there to see all my friends shred and for the unfortunate ones who went down. I still favour the natural hand built lines and always will for this event, but ya can't deny how rad it was to see Zink stomp that backflip. It was really weird to only have used the first runs, since the wind and injuries prevented the rest of the boys from doing their second runs. It would of been even weirder if Semenuk and Aggy would of stomped their second runs. All in all I thought this year's event kicked ass, the boys gave it their all despite the elements and for nothing else than respect from you and me.  


Kelly McGarry finally bringing home what he was hoping for in his season.



McGAZZA

After a few shocking Rampages in the past, I went into the 2013 Rampage wanting to set the record straight and make it through the Red Bull arch at the bottom of the course without plowing my face into the dirt or breaking any bones. The course was so rad this year, the crew did a great job and it was cool to be a part of the event and ride the crazy stuff they built. Standing on the Rampage podium with Kyle and Cam was a massive career highlight for me and I can't wait for next year's event!


at the 2013 Redbull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA



LACONDEGUY

For my second run, I think I’ll just throw a grenade at the judges tent and fly back home...nah, I’m kidding.


at the 2013 Redbull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA



CHUBEY

It’s kind of weird how they bring all this wood and stuff into the desert and build it, it’s super sick because it opens so many more opportunities, but I’m not going to say I’m against it because I’m hitting some of it, but it’s definitely different and I know it’s like a huge expense to put it up.


Norbs



NORBS

It would be nice to have a couple extra days to lessen the stress, and to get more riding time. Getting a line together with a just a couple of days is tough. Everyone is taking risks out there, like building, hanging out on the edges of cliffs and they can’t even get lunch. It’s sad. Everybody is risking their lives and I don’t feel like anyone has really be rewarded as much as they should be. It is a really fun event to be around, as much as it is gnarly and stressful, it is still something that is really fun to be a part of with everybody.


Kyle Strait. First to take a double Rampage win in history. Not to mention taking them both out with suicide no handers.



STRAIT

With all of the new riders coming up its hard not to get wrapped up on all the new tricks they can do. I try to stay focused on the experience that I have over them and the tricks I can do. So much has changed but not all of it. Back in the day I realized that Claw did so well because he had his 5 tricks on lock down and could do them on anything. I have tried to take that and run with it. 


Father to be Cam Zink made Rampage history today flipping the big sender.



ZINK

Another weird contest day in 2013. It rained all day Thursday while I was in the hospital for 8 hours, then Friday and Saturday were the most perfect weather we've ever had out there. Sunday morning it was howling at 6 am and nobody could practice before finals started. We all just did speed runs and warmed up a bit. It was in T Mac's hands, the first rider to drop, whether the contest would start or not. He took the leap of faith and crushed it! All the first runs were absolutely ridiculous. This year marked by far the most variety, flow, skill and size that Rampage has ever had.

Strait and I had a winning line with the steepest section on the mountain, some flow and step downs, then into the biggest air on the mountain. We knew if we nailed it, it would be really hard to beat. He rode that line like he was doing A Line laps...so steezy and made it look easy. And we both agreed that drop is much much bigger than it looks making it probably the biggest drop ever done. After the second runs started it got way too windy after a couple injury delays. After freezing and getting blown for hours, the organizers decided to call it and we were all safe. Bitter sweet because like most people, I wanted a second run to go for the win, but not in that wind. It's hard being a competitor because even though I was lucky to be riding after they wanted to cut my leg open and do surgery a couple days prior, I still was crushed the last couple days to not have a second run and to have blown the bottom of my first run. As for all the judging discrepancies, Strait chose that line because it was a winning line and he could have ridden anyone else's line on the mountain better than them. He trained for this event by eating salad the whole week leading into it."


westerlund



WESTERLUND

This year there was a level of intensity at Rampage that I had never felt before, people were going big and pushing themselves like never before. The boys came to play and it was serious business from moment one. Losing the practice day added an extra edge. Nobody had the time to get comfortable on their lines. The biggest take off on the Sender was landed by Strait and Zink literally minutes before dark the night before finals. If Strait wasn't the absolute beast that he is his first attempt could have went drastically wrong. He square tagged the lip of the landing. Most humans would have got bucked and scorpioned their way onto a spine board - but somehow he rode it out and we all breathed a sigh of relief.

For me it was an emotional roller coaster. I love all the dudes out there like family and watching some of them push the limits is exhausting. When Zink landed that backflip in finals I honestly shed a tear. I was so happy that he was safe and not going to be in a wheelchair or a hospital bed when he held his daughter for the first time. Watching Logan and Chubey get carted off left an ominous vibe during the second round and the wind was maybe mother nature's way of telling the boys to settle down a notch, be smart and keep their egos in check. I think it was super smart and mature of everybody to make the call to tap out. There was camaraderie around the decision and it was done for all the right reasons. Shows our sport is growing up and everybody wants to live to ride another day. 

Final thoughts: T Mac and Andreu did get robbed but they took it like men and it shows great character amongst the competition. Aggy is a bad ass dude and to me is the epitome of freeriding.


Montgomery quote



MONTGOMERY

2013 Red Bull Rampage, I just wanted to survive it. For 2014 I'm going for it!


at the 2013 Redbull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA



VANDERHAM

This year's Rampage was definitely a new experience for me. After digging hard for 4 days with a great build crew I took a big crash the evening before finals and took myself out of the competition. For the first time ever I was just another spectator on Sunday and that gave me a new perspective on the contest, both good and bad.

As per every previous Rampages the riding was ridiculous. The amount that guys push it every year never ceases to amaze. Earlier in the week I was speaking to Kelly McGarry about the canyon gap and he was telling me that he was having trouble getting enough speed to clear it, then out of nowhere he's flying over it upside down! Zink was in Rampage mode as always and a ton of other guys had awesome (and near awesome) performances (McCaul, Agassiz, Strait and Andreu to name a few). I really can't say enough about what we as athletes go through every year at the Rampage, the nerves, the crashes, the elements...it an absolute man vs mountain war out there. 

The big question mark for me after Sunday was the cancellation of the second runs. The finals at Rampage are a two run format for very good reason and it's a format that has been guarded and treated like the law at the past 7 Rampages. In 2010 during the second finals run a storm rolled in while I was in the start gate waiting to drop. The contest was put on hold for almost 2 hours and the event organizers made their way to the top of the course and met with all of the riders. The message was clear: "We will stay here until dark and we will come back tomorrow if that's what we have to do to get through these second runs."  Since I crashed in my first run, I was very happy to hear that coming from the people in charge. Watching on Sunday it was very clear that priorities have changed. I can only speculate as to what the motivation was to cancel the event with almost 2 hours of day light left (keeping in mind that Monday is also a scheduled weather day). I feel badly for the 9 or so riders left at the top who were robbed of the chance to redeem a first run mistake or to better their score. But I feel sick for all the riders who DID drop in for a second run. Some of them bettered their score just to have it taken away, some walked away from crashes that could have been a lot worse, and some took crashes that they couldn't walk away from. All of them put their health on the line for what turned out to be a null run and I don't think that's right.


Garret Beuhler



BUEHLER

I left Rampage feeling strange due to the final call, as the call was made the mega gusty wind calmed down and we all realistically could have rode, it felt weird, like budgets and logistics weren't in our favor, completely understandable given the location, and production of the event. I wasn't stoked the organizers never called an official remaining riders meeting with all the riders to discuss the options, however, it was said it had to be called at 5pm due to a storm brewing and needing to get spectators out of there before it hit (there was lightning and a storm in the distance). No one really wanted to ride that day to begin as it was howling in the morning, but we all cooperated and marched to the top in the morning to hopefully keep things on schedule. It's terrible for Andreu who got bumped off the podium, and Doerfling from 10th, and T Mac from 4th to 5th after - I think all scores should have counted not just run 1 for the final tally. It's mountain biking and weather is always a factor in the mountains, but again, a tough call, just hard to not reward someone after risking their life and laying it down like those boys did. It seemed like a lot of pressure on everyone under bad circumstances, and timing restraints, and I keep kicking my self and I'm totally pissed and embarrassed I was a part of the riders who were sitting up there and walked down. What's done is done, and in all reality it was a safe call.

Besides, it's not like it wasn't a hell of a show, mega props to Zink, McGarry, Strait and everyone out there going for it, especially under the circumstances presented at the start of the day. If everyone was given another run there is no way the show wouldn't have been finished. Bottom line, I think it's a show to help the progression of the sport, to help mountain biking grow, the spectators to get pumped and inspired, and for the riders to have an opportunity to push themselves, express their style, and at the end of the day for everyone to have fun. Once people were stacking and it was getting sketchy and super windy no one was having much fun anymore, at some point earlier in the day that was all accomplished...so it's not to necessary to dwell on the 'what ifs'. Once again, Rampage went off and everyone involved should feel proud!


at the 2013 Redbull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA



KINRADE

Rampage will always have a special place in my heart, however I would really like to see these events go back towards the athletes a little more. I think the athletes have been calling that out for a while. If everything else that was here left, the riders would still be here. As much as we do need certain parts of all this to help us, there’s nothing here that we actually need to just ride our bikes.


photo Nicolas Teichrob



ROBINSON

Only three days to dig and practice makes it pretty insanely difficult. Rampage for me growing up was the one event growing up where you can be original and different, now that we are only given three days, basically the course builders have built multiple lines and built features and so many lines are left behind from previous years that they are almost forcing you to use what is already there, which is taking away from the originality of the whole event itself. It doesn’t really stick out the same as Rampage used to, it's becoming just another contest. Every slopestyle event is dangerous, but the exposure, wind and all the elements can really be the end all and to not have enough time to practice and know your lines is really dangerous.


The three injured amigos. Kenny Smith Kurt Sorge and Darren Berrecloth carting around the course today. What did you think they were just gonna sit in the Red Bull tent and let everyone else have all the fun



SORGE

This year's Rampage was the first one I have sat on the sidelines for since I started competing in the event. All week it was leading up to be the best yet. The lines that were getting built were insane, all week the excitement and nerves were building and building. Huge guinea pigs were going down and massive crashes.

When it came down to it the guys just didn't have enough time to practice their whole lines for finals. This isn't unusual for Rampage but from experience I know it sucks to have to go for it in your run. But when it came down to it everyone rode extremely well and there was many potential winning runs. T Mac's line was a big stand out, one of my favourite lines of the comp. Semenuk - if he would have landed his run would have been tough to beat, as well as Aggy's. He came one step down away from taking the title. Zink too, if he would have finished off his run like he wanted to it would have been insane and probably a first place run. But that is one of the biggest things for Rampage...you need to make it to the bottom. The runs that were completed were amazing and it sucks for the guys who bettered their scores in their second runs. No way in my mind should any runs at Rampage be wiped clear. If you risk your life putting a run together there should be no way someone can take that away from you. That rule might work for dirt jump comps and slopestyles but it shouldn't be for Rampage. If Semenuk or Aggy would have landed their runs I am almost positive that wouldn't have gone down.

Also to call the contest like that because of costs seems dumb. All the riders and diggers are there on their on dime. We don't have huge budget where we can afford to put everyone up and feed them all. You'd think the event would at least put up the riders and diggers. But nope, the diggers aren't even entitled to breakfast or lunch on the hill. Working sunrise to well into the night sometimes, essentially making the contest happen. But of course it was windy and a huge factor in why the contest was called. I have mad respect for everyone that rode and was nervous to see all my friends send it so hard. It was a great Rampage and I look forward to the next one!


Gully



GULLY

Rampage is always the gnarliest event of the year...and continuously getting gnarlier.

It's funny seeing and hearing about the build up before hand from other riders. Everyone is actually on the big bikes 'training' for Rampage. I know I for one had a few things I wanted to get locked in for this year. After being at the past three Rampages at the same venue, it was obvious that it wasn't your average run down the face that was going to take it. You needed some high consequence moves in risky locations. I was set to have a flip step-down and a 3-drop in my run. I found them both, nailed them both in practice, however, after that nearly season ending hit I took Saturday, I couldn't keep my marbles in check and hold it together for Sunday.

I don't know if the progression in this one zone is a good thing or just terrifying. Next year you aren't going to be able to get points on the board unless you do something ridiculous. People are getting so desensitized to us hanging our necks out there for a TV show and a couple bucks, I think the event has to find a new location with less man-made features to take it back to what it was all about: riding bikes down the unthinkable and looking badass while doing it. But whatever, a few words aren't going to stop it...and I ain't going to stop either.


at the 2013 Redbull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA



CAM McCAUL

With this being the 4th year holding the event at the new venue, the creativity was through the roof on a whole new level. Tougher lines, ridden faster, with more tricks in more places. Everyone was getting the bugs worked out in Run 1 and it was already clear that this was going to be the biggest and baddest Rampage in history. With everybody looking to push the envelope in Run 2, unfortunately some of our soldiers began to drop. With a couple delays to get our buddies helicoptered to safety, the clock began to tick on our weather window. At a certain point, mother nature decided our time had expired. A decision was made that the wind wasn't going to improve and the rest of the event was cut short. It was a bittersweet moment for everyone involved. Some who stomped their 2nd runs realized that these improved scores wouldn't count. Others who broke bones in an attempt to better their scores, realized that their failed Hail Marys were essentially thrown after the buzzer. I was in a position where I had more in the tank, but didn't get a chance to dump it out.

At the end of the day, I think we all realized, regardless of what place we ended up in, we do this more for ourselves than anything else. Rampage is all about setting personal goals and working for a week straight to accomplish them. It's an excuse to spend time in the desert with friends and push the limits of a sport we love. The emphasis is to have as many riders as possible pull their runs, and as few riders as possible be helicoptered out. But with a strong steady headwind, it got to a point where it looked like there would have been a lot more helicopter traffic if the event continued. It wasn't ideal, but mother nature is an unpredictable force, and sometimes she makes the rules. Thanks to everyone who makes this event possible, there's nothing else in the world like it, and we can't wait to get back out there next year!



Author Info:
JulianCoffey avatar

Member since Aug 9, 2010
158 articles

195 Comments
  • 390 6
 Cannot believe Red Bull can put a man in space and win the F1 championship 4 years straight but they can't afford to accommodate the building crews. They should hang their heads in shame
  • 195 4
 It's an absolute joke. Plus prize money should be ten times higher and every rider and crew member should be paid for their participation. We all know they've got the money, I was genuinely shocked about the prize money and the way Crew members are treated!!!
  • 26 2
 @gavlaa sorry, i meant to positive prop you!! I totally agree man. RedBull is a HUGE company and on top of it they are probably the biggest funders to any action sport around. They can surely afford more prize money for THEIR athletes to possibly win. and @bouldertom you are also very right, I was surprised when I found out that being part of a build crew there or anything of that sort was like volunteer work... talk about being dedicated!
  • 23 4
 I've always thought how can Red Bull sponsor everything when I never see anyone drinking it... I guess this answers my question. Shamefull
  • 62 4
 You can't get on the grid in F1 without a f*cking shitload of cash. You can run this event with piss all prize money and not even provide lunch to the guys that make it happen.

Why? Because they'll do it for free. F1 guys don't take a dump for free. Boycott!
  • 10 3
 @jaame absolutely. I really think at some point these guys need to organize, both for money/accommodations and for SAFETY. With all the money RB has there is no reason digging crews should have to be hanging off cliffs with chainsaws unsecured and on empty stomachs. I know it's a volunteer workforce, but if anyone at my work put on a build job like that they would be immediately fired and/or the union and OSHA would come down on them like a ton of bricks.
  • 9 0
 I think its part of the sport that riders and their friends/family/team build their lines instead of having corporate sponsored diggers. Im sure it wouldnt hurt if they had some though
  • 42 3
 For some reason you guys are under the impression that Rampage is some huge money maker for Red Bull.....Are you seriously comparing freeride mountain biking to F1 !?!?! I guarantee you that Red Bull barely breaks even on an event like this. The only way for freeride mountain bikers to start making serious $$$$ is for Red Bull to keep promoting the sport (having Rampage as an annual event is a helluva start). As popularity in the sport increases, so will the money.
  • 12 2
 I have a feeling F1 drivers or even football players or any athletes in well paid sports do it just for the money sometimes. In mountainbiking the guys don't get much money but i think they would still do it if they wouldn't be given any money. They do it because the love it
  • 10 13
 Lol, red bull cares about 1 thing $. plus that stuff tastes like shit.
  • 15 1
 @Mallet21- I hear what you're saying- but I personally wasn't talking about paying out a sh*t load of money- I'm talking about providing lunch!
  • 10 0
 (and safe working conditions)
  • 4 2
 All In All I Was Just Happy To Witness The Rampage Event (Even though On My Pc) I Think Everyone Did A Killer Job Out At Rampage! Cant Wait To See What Is Created For Next Years Rampage Event!
  • 5 2
 @gavlaa Agreed.....there's no reason they couldn't provide lunch (considering the venue location). I'm a little disappointed in the riders not understanding why or the costs involved with extending the contest an extra day and some of the guys going public with some somewhat petty gripes. Seeing all these negative comments from the riders now sorta leaves a bad taste considering what a kick-ass event it was.
  • 3 4
 anyone care to fill me in how the building crews were treated so bad?
  • 6 1
 From what I have read in other articles winning Rampage makes you rich behind the scenes, as in your worth more to sponsors and such.
  • 17 0
 Bad taste or not, as viewers who enjoy watching these riders compete should want better for them as well. And while I agree with Mallet21 on freeride mountain biking not holding any industry monetary weight relative to F1, clearly Redbull sees a huge promotional value in the sport... so much so that they've included this event as a part of a select few worldwide events to be broadcast on a major nationwide network during prime viewing hours. So it seems to me that there is more money in the event than there used to be but with Red Bull being the event organizer, promoter, and exclusive producer of coverage, they're just continuing to re-invest that money in their own enterprise rather than compensating riders and crews for their integral contribution to the show. Simply put, compared to 10 years ago, the event has larger feature budgets, larger production budgets, more helicopters, network tv broadcasts, etc. yet smaller practice times, smaller build crews, and little to no additional compensation/benefits for riders/crews. Doesn't add up. I think the riders have a right to bitch a bit.
  • 2 13
flag DylanHunter (Nov 14, 2013 at 9:28) (Below Threshold)
 quit your bitching lol
  • 6 13
flag sutakattack (Nov 14, 2013 at 9:42) (Below Threshold)
 These guys should unionize just like the NBA, MLB, NFL.
  • 26 0
 Couldn't Pinkbike ask its readers to donate a few bucks each to start a Rampage fund? Winner of the peoples vote would get a cash prize from it and you could also sponsor lunch for the riders and trail crews. Industry companies could donate swag as prizes for those that contribute so it would be an enter to win sort of thing. It could be a real win, win, win... and the Pinkbike people's choice cash may quickly eclipse the actual podium prize money!
  • 4 5
 if red bull can't handle rampage fairly just let's the others take care of it
  • 5 1
 Red bull is still a million times better than UCI so i cant really complain
  • 8 0
 Tickets are $20. I would def. pay more if I knew it was going to riders & crew.
  • 2 0
 While yeah it would be nice for riders and builders to get something out of it (and I'm not saying they shouldn't), what these guys do is what mountain biking is all about. And that is one of the things I love most about the sport. It's not a billion dollar industry like most other pro sports and it's not all about the money. While money is sometimes involved in sponsorships and the sort, that isn't generally a huge concern. Both pro and amateur riders alike do it because they love it. They love building, they love riding, they love the friendship and camaraderie that comes along with it all. I think it's safe to say we would all be out there digging and riding whether or not our sport was sponsored or on tv or anything like that. This is what develops the great friendships between all of those in the community and where no dig no ride rules come from that outsiders complain about who aren't truly into what the heart of mountain biking is all about. I think those guys should get food or something provided but I don't want mountain biking to become overly commercialized to the point where great events like Rampage don't take place unless participants get something out of it. That would ruin the sport for me and I'm sure many others.
  • 12 0
 To summarize the riders, what this competition needs is:
1. More time to build and practice
2. More prize money
3. A better way to deal with weather delays
4. Some support for the builders

1. I don't see why this is a problem. People talk about local advantage, but how about 2 weeks instead of 3 days? I think all the riders would happily spend 2 weeks down there.
2. This comp received some large coverage this year, and I think networks, sponsors etc have a decent amount to lose if people lose interest.It shouldn't be too difficult to drum up some more cash, especially from Red Bulls deep pockets. There is talk of having more of this style of competition which provides opportunity for efficiencies, better marketing etc.
3. This one is a bit of an issue. The only thing I can think of is to have the comp on a Saturday, and make Sunday a reserve day. If you are allowing more build and practice time prior to the event, then having it on a Saturday shouldn't be a problem.
4. I dunno about this one. In pretty much every sport, the competitor takes care of his/her own support crew. It is not up to the organizers to take care of them.

Any other useful suggestions?
  • 4 1
 ^this. Builders are taking risks being up there just like the riders. At least buy these guys lunch! Fantastic rampage this year can't wait till next years
  • 3 1
 put simply, if red bull was run by mountain bikers
  • 3 0
 Jamme, you have got to be kidding me. You think they should form a UNION. Boycott the event? Great idea! Awesome way to make sure it gets cancelled and never happens again. How about we all have to pay $50 to watch? That would pay the costs to put up riders and diggers... and then everyone would bitch about how they shouldn't have to pay to watch. Apparently a lot of these guys think there is some never-ending flow of cash to be spent on events like this. Sure, RedBull has done some incredible stuff, but Rampage will NEVER get the coverage that a guy parachuting from the edge of space will get. The truth might hurt, but there are accountants counting pennies and figuring out the balance between whether an event is financially worth going to the effort to put on, and even though us mountain bikers think love of the sport should be enough, these events are a BUSINESS. Sure, the diggers and riders are out there for the love of the sport, but still want more for doing what they want to be doing? I, for one, am grateful the RedBull feels this event is worth continuing so we can enjoy the amazing riding these guys do, but bitching about them not pouring more cash into it when it doesn't make financial sense for them is nothing more than being ignorant to the realities of what it costs to make this event happen.
  • 3 0
 Agreed, and most of the people complaining about the lack of pay watched it on the internet for free. I would go there on my own tab to help build for a friend because it's an amazing event to be a part of. But they do need more time to practice and build, and maybe have finals on sat, so you could delay it till sunday if weather is bad.
  • 7 0
 Pay up Redbull.....or I'll mix my vodka with Monster.
  • 2 0
 Protour +1
  • 1 1
 why no semenuk
  • 6 0
 hey i think Lacondeguy summed it up perfectly
  • 2 0
 i honestly think that the way that the event is filmed flattens it out way too much for the casual viewer, unless you know how big like a 10 foot drop looks in person ts really hard to appreciate how big these hits are, even zinks backflip looked kind of small from the heli, and after showing it to a bunch of my skie friends i just got a chorus of halfhearted "oh cools" when it is literally the biggest backflip on wheels. stuff like Hopkins' loam factory honestly was alot more exciting than the bland sort of coverage that rampage. in my opinion because of how the event is filmed, sponsors keep wanting bigger hits because you cant even see anything from like 200 feet in the air.
  • 2 1
 Dear Red Bull,
The build team and the riders are what make up this event. In the future, please fix these things, and house the Builders.
Until then, your new Company name is "Full of Bull"
-Lilshredman
  • 1 0
 I'm talking about feeding the people who build the lines. I would also go and dig for free to help a friend if they agreed to give me lunch on site. The point is, from what I gather it's in the middle of nowhere, not a 7-11 in sight. How are people expected to get their lunch out there? It wouldn't break the bank to buy 60 extra sandwiches and a few hundred litres of drinking water. I bet it would cost more to run a helicopter for two minutes.

Redbull does it to make money and promote itself. If the diggers didn't dig, it wouldn't happen. Therefore RB would lose that stream of revenue or exposure. I doubt they would can the event for the sake of a few lunches.

This is not bitching, it is a simple suggestion on how they could improve the event.
  • 1 1
 I am reading some of these comments and wonder how many of these people have been to the event.

Personally I have been to every Rampage up until 2004, I worked filming, photographing, as well as helped build lines, and rode a few days before and usually a few days after. It was never about money. It was about going out their and being a part of something that pushed the limits, and in many cases wondering if maybe this was a little too far.

In 2004 I remember being out there with Lance Canfield and Josh Bender, setting up the "Bender Sender". Nobody was asking for money to build. Nor did we care, In fact I have to give props to Red Bull, they fed us during the days of the event that they were there. They didn't have to but they did. Not to mention sent us back with a ton of product. Seeing Kyle Strait gap the sender was worth it.

I can't speak for now, but back then not a single spectator paid an admission to go to this event. Maybe if you want to drop $100 a person, like people do at many NHL games, the prizes would be bigger. Back then I am sure the prize money wasn't that high, but it was one of the first events to pay. I would say it was the father of many free ride events that we see now, and are a means for riders to make some cash.

I'd like to thanks Red Bull for bringing back the event. If it were to disappear, trust me you'd miss it, I know I did in 2005.
  • 2 0
 You can't compare these guys to F1 racers. F1 racers are a bunch of prima donnas. if something is "unsafe", they'll all protest and strike. These guys will do the opposite if something is too safe. If F1 racers really had any nuts, they'd go on strike until they had a race date at The Ring.
  • 1 0
 @SlodownU

You are so on the mark with that comment! Are boys are real men that can handle the dangers of their sport!
  • 1 0
 F1 drivers have brains! Not bieng funny, and I love Rampage, but Cam Zink flipping that gap when his shiela has a bun in the oven? I half expected to wake up and check the news to find he was dead or in a wheelchair. Totally irresponsible. Fiar enough a single bloke with no commitments or respect for life doing it, but not someone with responsibilities. It was awesome when he landed it, but I feel the risk wasn't worth the reward. But that's one of the reasons why he's doing it for a living and I'm not.
  • 106 2
 Looks like LACONDEGUY is angry with the judge, like I am!
  • 35 1
 HE WASNT KIDDING , HAHAHHAHA THATS FOR SURE ! Smile ))
  • 21 0
 He got robbed. Zink run should be fifth after andreu 3rd and tmac 4th. You can see zink keep promoting andreu sensus grip in fb.
  • 56 8
 Lacondeguy isn't American enough for the Rampage judges. Same old story.
  • 23 0
 chyu you couldnt be more right in my mind. What Zink did was truely incredible. But there has to be penalty for essentially skipping the last two airs in his run... if he would have sent atleast the last one i would still maybe say 3rd or 4th. He rode the gnar well but to skip his two "easiest" runs just bugs me.And what Andreu did, just doesn't cease to amaze me.. He rode Rampage better and faster than any world cup DHer ever and went bigger (yea better than Gee in 2004 and 2010)... So much style and the balls to throw DJ tricks on nasty dirt and wood take offs in the gnarliest terrain in the world. T-Mac's line was nuts but definately getting penalized for the dead sailors in his 1st run (Who can blame him that shit was nuts)
  • 2 0
 great truth justified
  • 8 0
 when i watched it streaming and i saw he didn't place i was absolutely shocked. i would throw a grenade at the judges too hahahaha
  • 3 0
 Strait to Zinc. Hahaha!
  • 4 3
 @yesok.. mcgazza isn't american enough either and he still took a podium spot. don't think that really has that much to do with anything.
  • 3 46
flag Mutiny5050 (Nov 14, 2013 at 10:00) (Below Threshold)
 Lacondeguy should have placed I agree, but his poor attitude and lack of sportsmanship should put him in last. as for the comment he is not american enough. he is just not man enough. poor sports need a reality check and I hope he learns from this in the future.
  • 18 1
 ^ i bet you're drunk
  • 15 1
 I met lacondeguy last weekend here in spain and you are totally wrong, he is a great rider in the same way he is a great person, He deserves that podium more than many others. I do not see where you get those comments from, you probably have never met any big rider so you dont know shit.
  • 16 0
 Poor attitude and lack of sportsmanship???? What rampage did you watch?.. obviously not this one. Lecondeguy deserved WAY better
  • 6 0
 Seems like there is a little bit of bias towards the american riders. But thats my opinion, and the judges have their own. And can you really blame Lacondeguy for getting mad? He had a run full of bangers and lost to Zink who stopped riding half way down (not downplayin the backflip here but its a contest you have to be on point all the way down to win). Also think McGazza should have won it (backflippin the canyon is just as gnarly as a No-Hander on the Icon Sender and his run was equally as flowy maybe not as fast), but again, that's my opinion. Comparing apples to oranges is hard haha
  • 1 0
 maxram7, sounds like you think these guys should also be judged on what you think about them as a person? "Man, his run wasn't the best, but he's really really nice, so I guess HE should win!" Hopefully you'll be at Rampage next year and will give us a good character evaluation of each rider so we can factor in what great people they are when trying to decide who had the best run.
  • 4 3
 I think it's fair to say someone is being a poor sport when they threaten harm on the judges, even if they are joking. Take your score like a man, quit whining, and do better next year. He probably isn't going to help his scores next year with that comment though.
  • 67 2
 Interesting to hear from the riders' perspective how they are feeling pressured for time and also how poorly some of the riders' support crews are treated. It's sad, like Gulevich says, how "people are getting so desensitized to us hanging our necks out there". It'd be nice to see Redbull step up and truly support the people whose amazing abilities are willingness to push their limits are earning their company millions from the advertising exposure they gain from an event like this. Perhaps it's true that things need to be simplified, costs redirected and the focus put back on the needs of the riders.
  • 4 68
flag MintsauceSouth (Nov 14, 2013 at 0:36) (Below Threshold)
 i dont agree
  • 19 1
 There were like 8 points in that comment, which part do you not agree with
  • 22 1
 It's a chicken egg situation I feel in that regard. There's not going to be any more money until the sport can be successfully marketed to the larger audiences via things like NBC and outside brands, but obviously right now guys are potentially killing themselves to end up walking away with less money than they showed up with. Hopefully things will change and this industry will be able to find some sort of influx in cash from the right type of marketing to broader audiences. When Tiger Woods has a $3 million dollar appearance fee to show up for an hour and hit golf balls across a bridge, and then some guys invited to this Rampage event had to have a fundraiser in the local bar to pay for their trip down, it becomes clear that there's a long way to go
  • 4 64
flag MintsauceSouth (Nov 14, 2013 at 0:50) (Below Threshold)
 all of them
  • 17 3
 Probably the least convincing troll ever, you joined 2 days ago, you have 0 posts in buy/sell, 0 forum activity, no pictures, 0 bike related activity whatsoever so please just leave
  • 8 0
 Well said, Liam. And uh, Mintsauce...not so much.
  • 5 47
flag MintsauceSouth (Nov 14, 2013 at 2:00) (Below Threshold)
 I don't want to leave. Bully.
  • 7 2
 i feel like skateboarding became huge after the tony hawk video games came out. If someone were to make a really well made bike game maybe it would have the same effect?
  • 3 0
 Maybe its time to get the cotton-candy-in-a-can-corp/big corp teams out of the sport and keep it strictly amateur and corporations are invitation only. We dont need them - they need us. Grassroots rules.
  • 10 2
 There was a great article in Dirt a few tears back that basically said for something to be "cool" is has to be popular enough to not be completely lame and viewed as an outsider but not so popular it is too mainstream and ruined by the masses.

I think most people are happy with where MTB is. We have (mostly) enough support to do what we love and see some of our idols do crazy things for the love of it but not too much big corporation stuff detracting from the soul of the sport. Do any of us want MTB to become like pop music and lose the creativity, freedom and expression? Probably not.

I don't honestly think MTB can profit from X-games and the like because honestly most of us are happier to not be so mainstream and that is part of the attraction to the sport. However, I do believe when big companies start dictating how certain events are run then the riders and teams need to see some reward for the additional risks being taken with shortened practice/ event duration dictated by TV costs etc. Too one sided by the sounds of it at Rampage
  • 6 1
 @BeardlessMarinRider - Who cares if MTBing is "cool" or not or does/doesn't become mainstream? The only way that would impact your "freedom and expression" is if you're just out to look the part. The only question to ask is whether you enjoy riding your bike or not.
  • 4 0
 But when the desire for Rampage to be more TV friendly and hence mainstream means the riders are have a lot of things taken out of their hands such as adequate practice, adequate time to lay down 2 runs, people risking everything on a crazy line to later be told it doesn't count, etc and a need to have a pretty good slopestyle background to do well with all the wood features as it looks better on TV (compared to the inception of Rampage where tricks were the exception rather than the norm and line choice ruled) then it is impacting their enjoyment of getting out and riding that particular contest. The issue is the big company pushing the direction of the contest/ sport rather than the riders/ passionate fans. The amount of discussion this topic gets is proof enough that a large proportion of people feel a lot of the creativity is missing from this particular event- an event where the whole point was more creativity and expression than any other contest. Does it affect us mere mortals? Probably not too much, but I like the smaller nature of MTB at the moment allows everyone to be honest and less corporate and we have a better sport for it IMO- I mean just look how openly the riders are talking above
  • 1 3
 No one is forcing them to go out there and huck off of cliffs! They are pushing each other to do next-level stuff, and Redbull is willing to go out and put it on T.V. to watch, so stop bitching about not getting enough "support"... especially when a lot of these guys say stuff like "we would be out there riding anyways!". We all love mountain biking and think it's amazing to watch an event like this, but the general public watches to see guys eat shit, not to appreciate how much time and effort the rider's friends put into digging lines. It's a sad fact, but the rest of the world doesn't have the same appreciation for this sport as those of us who spend our lives doing it.
  • 3 0
 Easy there, Tiger. I'm not sure a lot of the very valid points people have been discussing quite qualify as "bitching", so lets not get insulting. Granted, they probably WOULD be out riding anyways, but "feeling pressured for time" and thereby into taking unnecessary risks by a company who is trying to rush things in order to save/make more money is another issue which I, and obviously many others here, hope to see change. A change which, based on how the riders describe things, would potentially not even cost Redbull a dime since the riders seem to be there at their own cost, for the mostpart. Furthermore, I don't get the impression that anybody here is necessarily asking for millions that are lavished on other, more high exposure sporting events. We get that our sport doesn't have the worldwide appeal of other sports, like Formula 1, but a company like Redbull not being able to give a dig crew a couple sandwiches on their lunch break is not what I would call acceptable.
  • 3 3
 "i don't want to leave. Bully."

I found that funny
  • 56 1
 "For my second run, I think I’ll just throw a grenade at the judges tent and fly back home...nah, I’m kidding." Pretty sure he wasn't kidding, anyway, Andreu's line was so intense, going faster than anyone. The top of his line was one of the best sections ever in Rampage, f*ck judges and everything behind them!
  • 5 0
 TRUE
  • 2 0
 amen. run was totally insane. vanderham touched on my sentiments exactly. T.Mac, Andreu, Aggy (if he woulda stuck it)... most insane runs in my eyes. and still McGarry on the warpath too. such is life i guess tho.
  • 27 0
 I have to say I think redbull need to have a long hard look in the mirror in regards to what is expected of this competition. Redbull invests in so many different sports which is such a cool thing to do, but when it comes to the one sport I love above all else I think it's pretty clear the riders are being let down, and we all know it. No crew support, no lunch breaks for the crews, a very small time scale coupled with the expectation for riders to risk their lives for what is essentially a pitifully small prize purse ( x-fighters is $1,000,000 +)

I would look at formatting the event over a longer perdiod, with more dig time and definately crew support from redbull, make it a team event where the crew gets props/small prize purse too. More focus on what lines are being dug, altered or sniped. And most definately a two run format, over multiple days if needs be, heck even a three run format with another riders' line pulled out of a hat a few days before, see who can step it up on someone else line yeah!? That would separate the men from the slightly lesser men.

A the moment I feel like this event is becoming more of a media circus than an actual 'tip of the cap'to the best riders in the world. The injuries are shrugged off and forgotten and anything other than the most insane trick and winning run are all too quickly left in the Virgin dust.

Long story short, I think the support and prizes don't reflect the gravitas of what the riders are willing to do, let alone actually achieve, and for that reason I think redbull fall pitifully short of the all encompassing global 'extreme' sports supporter it claims to be.
  • 4 0
 Very good points. I like the aspect of including the builders more in the overall media exposure and the building aspect of the competition as this is what most people would agree is the spirit of Rampage.

I feel it has to go one way or another... either keep the original roots of Rampage and keep as much man made as possible and make it about riding damn scary lines, less slopestyle, which is great for us pure MTB lovers but less good for TV exposure i.e. less incentive Red Bull to put up prize money and support but the trade off is a "proper" Rampage.

Or second route, is let Rampage to develop as a media spectacle with wider appeal with a mix of wood/ dirt and a push towards tricks that look good for TV rather than just some dudes riding crazy steeps that the average person at home wouldn't appreciate. If this is agreed to be beneficial for Rampage then by all means let the tight deadlines of TV filming and costs dictate when and how the contest is run BUT not without putting the extra funds coming out of this less pure but more media friendly event in to prize money/ build crew support/ etc.

Red Bull can't have it both ways. If you compromise the soul of Rampage with higher media exposure with high cost filming that dictates how long the contest is run for and when it gets cut off and starts making Rampage more slopestyle with trick friendly features for viewing pleasure then there has to be a trade off in supporting the rider and builders better with the new found income from the event. Don't just make more money then sh1t on the guys that make it what it is!
  • 2 1
 I agree about the prize money, support for the riders/crew etc. But isn't the shortened window to build part of what makes rampage what it is? Along with the limit of 3 build few? I thought that was part of the point that they dont want guys building too much.
  • 1 0
 Yes sino, but if they are restricting the building and keeping small TV friendly time windows then not rewarding the tradeoffs in practice time/ build time that put the riders at risks with some kind of financial reward is all in Red Bull's favour and nothing in the riders favour. Very one sided which is what seems to come out in the rider quotes above. Going one direction or another is fine so long as there is balance for both partys which seems to be lacking.
  • 2 4
 This event has unfortunately become a freak show. The average Joe Public is not interesting in the riding, they want BIG CRASHES and injuries. Its sad.
  • 2 0
 I don't think that's true at all. I think there might be a small population of idiots who just want to see carnage but I think most people want to see awesome shit, not crashes.
  • 1 0
 Quickest way to see this event cancelled is for everyone to bitch and complain about how Red Bull runs the event and how much money they can afford to spend on it. I think it's awesome to see the sport I live for get a little TV coverage, but I'm not kidding myself about thinking the rest of the world sees mountain biking right up there with F1 racing.
  • 1 0
 Good point! Yeah, there are some delusional kids on here.
  • 1 0
 Watch the advertisements and see what they focus on!!!
  • 1 0
 Man, no one seems to be looking at hard line costs here. People out in the dirt, food, water, hotels, quads, wiFi, with cameras, outside of the LA radius is big $$ every hour (double time on a weekend) period. I am pretty certain that after weeks of footing the bill for ground crew, advert, and food/booze bill for all of the Redbull support crew not a dime gets made. Look at the economics folks. There is no "usual" ad revenue for doing this...Redbull is IT, they can't sell ad space and last time I checked, THAT'S WHAT MAKES THE SORTS WORLD GO ROUND. Grow up folks, MTB isn't there yet. Will it ever be..? I hope not.
  • 1 0
 Yeah, that's alot of money they are investing, and it's not like other sports where there is a stadium to park at and hold the event, Red Bull has to plan all the logistics, get the permits, get everything on site in the desert and get a bunch of stuff up the hill and then clean it all up after. They are the one that created the eventand it's not like other events where other sponsors help out alot, it's all on Red Bull.

It's why they are the king of energy drinks and the rest are just pretenders with cheaper less natural ingredients. What has the white trash marketing Monster or Rockstar done for the sport of mtb? Hardly anything by comparison.
  • 1 0
 Protour/Waki y u do dis??
  • 1 0
 If a dime didn't get made, they wouldn't do I. Do they make money off of the event itself? It's unlikely. Does it improve revenue and product awareness? Of course it does. Red Bull is not a charity!!!!
  • 47 24
 cam zink sounds like a dick. "we had the winning line and strait could have beaten anyone else even riding their line.
Really? seems like you did next to f*ck all on your run and didnt have the bollocks to do a second run, that also meant you finished higher, coincidence?
yes youre shit hot on a bike but dont belittle the other competitors, andreu, kelly and tyler made you look second rate.
  • 21 4
 Strait is his best friend and I think he was just sticking up for him. He said that in response to the 'judging discrepancies' by which he means all the arm chair/internet commenters saying Strait didn't deserve to win. I have no problem with him saying what he did.
  • 8 19
flag chyu (Nov 14, 2013 at 3:57) (Below Threshold)
 They were delaying at the top coz they wanted to defend their podium. They knew others would have risked it with or without the wind.
  • 19 1
 Dude regardless of your view re Zink's comments, to say he didn't have the bollocks to do a second run is ridiculous in the extreme. Whilst I agree Cam threw away the second half of his run that backflip was arguably the highest consequence move ever done on an mtb. I'm not commenting on whether he should have placed differently or not but I'm saying that you accusing him of not having the bollocks is plain rubbish.
  • 10 3
 But this is one of the same big name guys saying riders like Pilgrim had no balls for opting not to ride in the X-games wind... Same with Westerlund. If it is Zink not wanting to ride Westerlund says "I think it was super smart and mature of everybody to make the call to tap out" yet if it is Pilgrim and Soderstrom not wanting to risk the high consequence poorly linked up features in X-games he says all the guys have a duty to ride and show the world what MTB is all about. Some double standards going on there!!!
  • 11 7
 ah right, im guessing kellys canyon back flip was small then, with no consequences? it just seemed to me that both zink and strait lingered at the top to wait for perfect conditions where as t mac and andreu just got on with it. zink and strait should have stood to one side and let those riders who wanted to do another run to get on with it. both putting in better runs than their first. i think those that did a second run should have had their scores counted after risking life and limb.
  • 2 2
 Hear hear!
  • 5 1
 Anyone who thinks that calling the event when they did was a mistake is just straight ludacris. Should it have been ran on Monday, yes, but they made the right call at the time. And gingerninja, how about you go hit big girl in those conditions and tell everyone how many bullocks you have when you miss the landing entirely... Those kind of statements just show the lack of knowledge on just how bad weather can affect riding, from temperature to wind... We ride 26'' sails, you will go down in the high wind, and with those drops, cliffs, and speeds, its game over for all invovled. Much respect to the Riders who made the grown up choice to call the event and even more respect to the ones that made it down it down in the wind.
  • 6 4
 He did sound kinda douchy when he said that. No real respect shown to the other riders out there; and it being such a small, niche group, you'd think there'd be more of that. I guess he just thinks him and Strait are that much better than everyone else; which is def not what mountain biking is all about.
  • 11 3
 This has to be the most idiotic threads I've ever read...
  • 5 10
flag phobospwns (Nov 14, 2013 at 5:11) (Below Threshold)
 Speaking of douchy, Lacondeguy came off the same. Doesn't seem very mature... even if he thought he got robbed, it would have been more respectable to give props to other riders, and the event, and say next year he'll leave no question he's the champ. He's a pretty young guy, right? Needs a lesson in staying classy.
  • 1 2
 No doubting wind was a factor and was unsafe but the double standards at other events in the year when lots of the big hitters in the sport were calling others out for not riding in similar circumstances is not cool... Wiping scores from second runs is also super tough for the guys risking life and limb in vain
  • 6 0
 I'm not sure comparing Xgames to rampage is apples to apples. While the Xgames course had some big stuff, comparing anything done there to something like flipping the icon sender is a little ridiculous. Xgames guys were perhaps risking injury. Rampage, guy in some cases would have been risking their lives by riding in that wind. Also, was it even the riders call? People are acting like Zink and Strait were the ones that held everything up by not wanting to ride. Was this actually the case? Or just more internet speculation? My understanding was that the contest organizers make that call, not the riders. Read Beuhlers comments, he says right there they never had a meeting with the remaining riders to discuss the options.
  • 2 0
 @gingerninja- Zink has a baby and a wife, that is how his risk is higher.
  • 3 0
 Absolutely no one who is sitting behind a keyboard has the right to call any of those guy's riding into question. "F**k all on your next run?" OK bro, you can head down to Virgin today, push on up that face, and pick any line you like. It's open to the public. If you can do that without getting scraped off the hill, then spray all you want.
  • 1 0
 Did I say mcGarry's run was low consequence? No I did not. It had massive potential consequence. But that wasn't the point I was making. I was simply taking issue with your claim that Zink didn't "have the bollocks" to do his second run. I think it's fair to say Zink (along with everyone else who rode there) showed immense bollocks. The guys was in hospital for practically the entire previous day FFS.
As for this notion that Zink and Strait somehow conspired against second runs, that's laughable. Read Zink's piece about the x games to get a sense of that dude's willingness to put his body on the line despite conditions or even his own health.
  • 2 0
 The ability/risk level of these guys is insane, but have to agree- what a douchy thing to say about your competitors. What I'd expect though after seeing those 2 march into a bar last year and yell out "everyone outta the way, world champ coming through". I get that it's probably hard to keep the ego in check when you're the shit, but there are so many other more well known "world champions" that seem to stay humble.
  • 2 3
 dualsuspensiondave, you an idiot? A wife & a kid? I don't see any increased risk there, but what I do see is maybe another good reason for Zink to get the f*ck out like he should've done 5 years ago instead of milking an arguably undeserved reputation built mostly on hype. andytheaussie, it's arguably not the biggest consequence move ever done on an MTB, it's just one of the biggest spectacles. I don't doubt Zink would've had the balls to go again, I also don't doubt that he has the wisdom to know he probably would've failed, & I sure as hell wouldn't put it past him to try to hold things up to hold his spot if there were enough coincidental factors to help him do it.
  • 2 0
 Are you high?
  • 2 1
 im not a professional mountain biker. i dont get paid to do the things they do. when it comes to doing my job i get on with it regardless of weather conditions lol. in life behind bar when brendon is in Utah waiting for the wind to drop but it doesnt so just gets on with riding. that takes bolloks. yes it takes immense skill to ride rampage and props to anyone who has a go. but you have to remember these guys are pros and this is all within their abilities, or they wouldnt be sponsored or even there. i think zinks 360 off the icon sender the other year was much more impressive and skillful. backflips in most sports are seen as a crowd pleaser and dont require that much skill. as for andreu sounding duchey, i think he has every right to be a bit pissed off after risking himself riding in conditions others were scared to only to be told it didnt count.
  • 2 2
 I think Zink was just joking around saying Strait could have rode anybodys line better than them. I mean come on, he said he trained by eating only salad for a week. You can't take it that seriously.
  • 15 1
 I have nothing against Cam Zink, he's a badass dude and always seems like a down to earth guy but his comment makes him come across as a little arrogant. I highly doubt Kyle Strait could have ridden everybody's line better than them, could he match aggys dumped 3's? Nope. Semenuk's gnar factor and trick ability? Nope. What about Lacondeguys one handed superman seat grab? Hell No. Fairclough's speed and precision (on one of the most insane lines I've ever seen), nope again. I think everybody (even Kyle) knows thats a pretty ludicrous thing to say.

On another note, I don't understand how brendawg can show up and ride one of the most technically insane lines ever built and score so low? I doubt many riders would of even attempted his line. Lacondeguy does tricks that no other rider does and on top of that he added insane speed and fluidity and still he comes in behind Zink? I agree what Zink did was insane but it was just a one hit show. He literally missed half of his run, it just doesn't make sense to me. I guess it's easy to nitpick and be a couch-expert behind a screen, but there seems to be a discrepancy as too what the judges actually want versus what they say their looking for.
  • 2 4
 spectators got robbed
  • 4 0
 Dude tix were $20. You can't even walk into a pro sporting event or buy a round of beers for that much. Ask anyone who was there how robbed they felt seeing the biggest airs ever in history get landed. Oh, what, you streamed it for free? Yeah, "robbed".
  • 1 0
 It's a good point mmakuch. As to Zink's statement - as others have suggested - I think we can't read too deeply into it. To me, it's clearly banter/trash talk that shouldn't be given any real weight, and it was likely in response to those who say Strait didn't deserve to win or was less than winner material. Indeed, he's the only other person that knows how hard Strait's line actually was. As to Brendon and Andreu, it seems clear that doing something that really progresses the "freeride" "go big" aspect of the sport, like the biggest backflip off the biggest drop ever, or a backflip over a 70 foot canyon gap, is going to win more points at this event than even an incredible and perhaps unmatcheable (in this field) display of technical skill, speed and fluidity. Whatever one may think about it, it appears to me to be an accurate observation (and it's only an observation).
  • 18 1
 No comments from Semenuk?
  • 6 1
 Did you see any non-positive comments from Red Bull riders besides Andreu Wink

Good point made by one of the riders above that would the second runs have been wiped if Semenuk nailed his second run. Conspiracy! Smile Well, interesting point at the very least
  • 1 0
 @ Beardless second runs would have been wiped even if the wind call was made with one or two left to go.. don't read into it too much
  • 1 0
 for me brandon's smile more worthed then his comment
  • 3 0
 @joeyjd- direct quote from Sorge

"No way in my mind should any runs at Rampage be wiped clear. If you risk your life putting a run together there should be no way someone can take that away from you. That rule might work for dirt jump comps and slopestyles but it shouldn't be for Rampage.

If Semenuk or Aggy would have landed their runs I am almost positive that wouldn't have gone down."
  • 1 0
 I don't think second run scores should have been wiped. In the end it was up to the riders up there to not do it given the conditions. Everybody has a choice, and certain people chose to ride a second time, others did not. I think a DNS for people who didn't ride their second run is more fair for these sorts of events. Especially since the riders who rode twice were judged twice.
  • 12 0
 Insane that Buehler feels embarrassed about missing his second run!

Feel proud dude, all of us were disappointed that the comp ended early, not in you guys Smile

Really interesting to see the rider's views on funding, organisation and reward for their investment. I love the honesty and integrity in this sport Smile !
  • 7 0
 Absolutely. The integrity shone through in many rider's pieces.
  • 5 0
 There are a lot of us in the MTB community who wish you a successful conclusion to any changes you can make to the event gents. I am one.

"Rampage: (noun): a period of time in which, typically, a large group of people behave uncontrollably."
From reading the reports recently on PB into this year's event, from team managers, and now from more of the riders, there is a hopefully a significant amount of disquiet amongst those with most to lose to try to exert some control over events.

The large group of people behaving uncontrollably looks to me to be the "desensitized" online onlookers and commentators calling for increasingly "bigger" lines and free streaming entertainment as a "insert deity here"-given right; voices that would do well to desist or at the very least be dismissed out of hand relative to the voices of those who are putting livelihoods and lives on the line. You have my support gentlemen to do what you have to do to protect the same.
  • 1 0
 Couldn't agree more!!!!
  • 4 0
 Hollywood should make a movie like they did with skateboarding, snowbaording and surfing back in the day.Plot should something like small town BC boy enters a contest like rampage or xgames slopestyle, trains hard, gets injured, comes though adversity (with the help of a stunner, of course!) and goes on to win. People eat that shit up! anyone writing a screenplay?? that will get the sport to the masses and create exposure.
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 Like RAD or Thrashin' or North Shore? Sweet idea!
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 Go Pro needs to take this opertunity and create a similar Rampage like event and have a better prize, better support, ect.
  • 5 0
 I don't have any argumentative BS to share. However...Great choice in putting Cam's piece as the closer. He's a stand up dude and he does a better job representing our sport than most others.
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 Pull out that stupid wood, give riders seven days to tune lines and then ride on a day when conditions are good. And if you want to force a schedule, pay to support the riders and crews in a more meaningful way than spraypainting logos on rocks and building goofy monstrosities that don't make the event any more impressive. I was pretty shocked to learn that the crews aren't even getting food. WC teams get more time too look at existing tracks then these guys get to build them.
  • 3 0
 "WC teams get more time too look at existing tracks then these guys get to build them."

Shockingly good summary of the risks and challenges faced at Rampage
  • 3 0
 Could someone, anyone agree with me that Brendan Fairclough deserves some recognition for how he threw down? His line was raw and fast and his own personal gap was huge consequence to sketchy landing.
I think T-Mac should have taken 1 or 2, but Fairclough at least needs some more forum cred.
  • 2 0
 I don't think many would disagree with you! Why would he bother come back next time after all the effort this year for zero reward? Barely mentioned even in the round up articles afterwards.
  • 4 1
 A few thoughts....

RedBull needs to step up, their provisions for this event are horrible. They really don't do much apart from turning the venue into a billboard and bringing in the heli for filming (which if you have spent time at the event you know that heli delays waste just as much of the good weather windows as injury delays). Everyone is there on volunteer time, all the builders and essentially the riders unless they podium, it's pathetic. Last year I worked the bike valet and RedBull provides the crew that volunteers nothing, they have a phenomenal local shop, OTE in Hurricane, round up volunteers and give nothing in return to the shop, local riding community, or the volunteers On site at 5am, valet of a few thousand bikes, guarding them all day, and returning them to the spectators at the end of the day= no compensation, no swag, nothing.

As far as weather goes, yeah, it's the Utah desert in the late summer. It's going to get windy and storms will pop up most afternoons. The only features that have major issues with the wind are the massive wooden built garbage they put out there. Look at the lines TMac, Semenuk, Lacondeguy, and Fairclougth were able to throw down in the wind, seemed pretty damn good right? Icon sender and the canyon gap to a lesser extent are the only problems and the event would be just fine without them. Even Strait's run would have been a sick line without the sender in the middle and I guarantee he would have dropped in rather than having to dick around at the top for 2 hours waiting for wind to stop. Oh, and maybe there would be a hell of a lot less delays if they weren't having to spend so much time scraping up broken riders from the bottom of the sender too.

Awesome event to watch and a great spectacle for the sport but I think someone needs to hit reset on it and rethink how riders, builders, volunteers and spectators are being treated right now. The direction it's going right now isn't going to end well for anyone.
  • 1 0
 props tp you dude..cool story
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 A agree that the riders and the workers should be treated better but i think the wooden features helped make this years rampage more exiting. Yes maybe they went a little overboard with them but you just can't go as big without them. Without the sender you wouldn't have the biggest backflip drop in history and I thought Kelly's backflip over the canyon was the coolest thing to ever happen at rampage.
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 Holy shit, you'd think reading these posts that mountain biking was as lucrative as the NFL and Redbull is just too stingy to throw massive wads of cash that the CEO sleeps on every night at Rampage. This is MOUNTAIN BIKING. Most of us love this sport, in part at least, because it is far from mainstream and makes us individuals. So we should expect mainstream event money, support and coverage, but not give the people pouring the money into it any say in how it goes off and then bitch about what they DO contribute? I think what Rampage does for the sport is great, and I am greatful that Redbull thinks it's worth spending any money on. This whole thing boils down to a bunch of spoiled people who expect everything to be free (especially watching the event) and then bitch about how it's done. The phrases "Having your cake and eating it too" and "Biting the hand that feeds you" come to mind. If this event DID get so much money that they are feeding and housing not only the riders, their dig crews (posse of friends essentially), and however much prize money the riders think they deserve, everyone would be complaining about how mountain biking is just "too mainstream".
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 This is sad to hear... seems all comments blame Red Bull but the onus goes to H5 the event organiser. It's up to the Bull to take the horns and save this amazing event.
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 Respect to all yall, I lost my voice cheering at the tv screen
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 Tickets were $20. I would of def. paid another $10 if it went to riders and diggers. In fact, it would have to be a seriously steep price to keep me from going again. "Spectators robbed" is a twat comment. It was hands down the sickest thing I have ever witnessed. Nobody needs to or should die for my entertainment. And certainly not for spoiled little brats who have absolutely no appreciation for what these guys are doing.
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 Man, I really like Zink, but I'm astonished by how arrogant his comments are!! Seriously, saying him and Strait had the steepest line? Brendogs was just as steep if not more so. The biggest drop? I'd argue the TMAcs is bigger and 'homemade'.. But the last bit, saying that Strait could have ridden anyone's line better than they could is just downright f*cking ignorant! For a start, Strait can't flip, so He couldn't have better TMAcs line, he 'maybe' could have ridden Brendon's, but I doubt with nearly as much speed, He couldn't flipped the canyon, he couldn't have 360'd Aggy's line.. Seriously wound me up to be honest and, and totally unjustified.

As for Andreu, boy got robbed, BIG, and his comment is short and sweet enough to know he feel's the same. TMac, is also clearly unhappy about how his technical man made line was judged. And to think he was the guinea pig for the wind, to only get his first run sucks.

As for the controversy about the 2nd run scores.. That's a tough call, to be fair to all riders, you can't count only half the guys 2nd runs (when they up their game after knowing what's required) when the guys who couldn't run never get to push their level, so therefore would be totally unfair. I know it sucks to push your limits for what feels like nothing (and with that prize purse. ain't far off!), but like Cam McCaul said, they are doing this for themselves as much as anything, so they still prove to themselves what they can do.
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 I still think instead of moaning about it why dont you go and ride the rampage course these guys do it for progression of the sport not money freeriding like that is very young compared to f1 or football so prizes will be lower but even now its grown to s point where ive met local joeys eho want a sponsorship because they want the free bikes and money. Lets all remember our love for FR is born out of our passion to progress not out of want of money
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 Most of these comments are forgetting the simple economics of this competition. I too was shocked at how little the prize money correlated with the danger of the event. However, look how many riders there were! All the best guys came, and they are all looking over their shoulders worried about the next ten up and comers. Red Bull doesn't pay more because it doesn't have to. Plus, the riders will build it for them. Mountain biking is my favorite sport, but it's mostly a participative sport not a spectator sport. There is little marketing clout possessed by the riders.
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 i think our sport can get bigger if fmb format like moto gp or f1.. riders on team, creating opportunity to get sponsors and coverage from medias..
  • 5 0
 Total respect for the words from Vanderham and Kinrade.
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 I think all the riders rip. Most of them would be there regardless of prize money (obviously there was almost none). Redbull and other sponsors like them make these spectacles possible. We all enjoy them. All of the arguments made about support for the volunteers and or the riders or the amount of prize money are possibly valid, but that was the deal going in. I'm sure redbull didn't promise anything they didn't deliver on, a deal is a deal. What I think was truly wrong was, going in it was a two run format and it didn't end up being that way. A two run format creates strategy- put a safe run in to get points up and send it for the second or whatever. I don't think any of the athletes should be forced to ride in the wind but another weather day at least should have been in the cards. To many, it is the biggest event of the year. The conditions (wind or whatever) should be deemed safe by the competitors and the event sponsors should honor that and give them at least one alternate day. A two run format going in.... a deal is a deal.
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 You athletes at rampage are the pioneers. Where does our beloved sport need to go? I don't know. But if there is a day when mtbers are sporting lucrative contracts & worldwide acclaim, it will be upon the foundation that your are paving with your risk & passion & commitment.

I don't know what's best for mountain biking, but I thank you athletes & diggers for the engaging inspiration. You've helped me dig deeper within myself. Take care of yourselves!
  • 1 0
 Lecondeguy and tmac both got assfu*ked by the judges. Should have been those 2 on the podium w kyle. There runs were super technical like kyles and flawless top to bottom. Zink and mcgarry went huge but overall runs were not there. Remember this is not a best trick comp... Also there should be no such thing as wind delay. Riders should have backup lines for high wind situations. If they choose to still go huge more power to em. We know that history favors the bold. The riders are already risking their lives in perfect weather
  • 1 0
 On hindsight, after reading the riders comments, perhaps they should have given the riders who have completed the second run recognition too. It would be a win-win for everyone. Like everybody seems to agree that Rampage is a truly high risk event like no other. Perhaps they could have given podiums for the two runs separately. For example, there would be a 1st place for the first run. And there would be a first place for the second run. Similarly, there would be two 2nd's, and etc. Also no rider can be on the podium more than once. The riders who had gone in the second run were already judged. Due to the special circumstances, since they had to cut the second run short, (and the riders were originally told that they could have 2 runs plus riders were risking life and limbs big time), I think this would have been more fair. I think giving the riders (and their sponsors indirectly) who had gone in the second run recognition is important to the riders. And then let the fans argue among themselves who was best overall.
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 The only thing I'm still pissed off about rampage this year was the results, man they were so wrong. And I really hate it when people say that tricks don't count. Like shit they don't, that's why we call it free ride, because you put anything you want in it. If you want to make the smoothest ride (strait) go make a downhill race, not freeride
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 Tyler, i was dirrectly under the 50 foot or what 70 foot drop right after your backflip stepdown, the perspective i saw of you flipping that shit, landing on that 50 degree slope, leave a gnarly s-turn scar landing, roding for 20 or 40 feet and dropping that huge fucking cliff. the rampage video highlights have it but it does not give it status it deserves. that was the GNARLIEST thing i have ever seen. and being just below it, shows that the shelf of the huge 2nd step down was Tiny! you just poured off that drop like water, and screamed right past us. After that me and my friend who aspire, sorda felt totally sick to our stomachs, A. Garcia sat down, i was all woosey, it was fucking weird, and that was only moments before logan crashed, and that right there, made me unable to yell rampage for like 18 hours untill i found out he didnt break his back or neck, but a femer is worse than i thought. for those 18 hours i didnt know if i wanted to support that sorda shit for my favorite riders.. I hope Logan is doing OK.
  • 2 0
 Thank you to all the riders. After hearing the comments above it really highlights the poor risk to reward ratio in mountain biking. I hope more of the money coming into the sport goes to those taking the risks.
  • 1 0
 Wow, lots of moaning about the time frame and the budget! I think redbull should really analyse whether giving everyone more time to build/practice would not result in even more spectacular footage that they could use for advertising. Presumably a lot of the expense is down to the live stream, but I would be very happy with a Highlights type show or like in DH record the first runs and edit them a little, then show the recorded footage and follow up with the second runs live.
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 I don't think the actual live stream is the costly part. I think its the actual filming and production which would be needed whether its streamed live of not. Even if you tape delay it you still need the camera's the setup, the helicopter, camera equipment etc. I'm not sure the actual live stream accounts for that much of the cost.
  • 1 0
 I Think Sorge nailed it on the head here, I had the exact same thought - If Semenuk had nailed his 2nd run, or even if Zink had nailed his 2nd run and they were sitting pretty at the top of the podium, there's no way the event organisers would have scrapped their scores and said second runs don't count! The whole event seems incredibly bias in its decisions, like the judges are just a bunch of Pinkbike fanboys or something.
It would have been much fairer to say to the riders who didn't get their 2nd run: "Sorry you didn't get a 2nd run due to weather, tuff luck!", than it was to pretend that Andreu and Tyler's runs simply never happened, or Bingelli broke his femur for nothing. You can't just ignore this, their runs went down and happened, their scores were real, hell Redbull even released their 2nd run go-pro footage for its own marketing purposes! They should have kept their scores and hard luck to the riders who didn't get to do their 2nd run, this would also have shown proper respect to those riders who injured themselves on their 2nd runs. Possibly one of the worst decisions ever made in the history of mountain biking!
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 As for prize money... Rampage attracts interest all over the world on tv and youtube, even from people who have no usual interest in riding. If sponsors & bike brands wanted to advertise their logos and brand on this scale normally, it would take a global advertising campaign that would cost millions - so why aren't the riders being paid this much for essentially being their billboards!?
Bike brands and sponsors are taking extreme liberties with professional athletes lives and well-being in exchange for easy brand exposure, its not right by any means but only the riders can fix the issue! As much as they love to be paid to ride, they need to stand up for themselves and demand a fairer cut, by the time they are 40 most of these slopestyle riders will be half crippled and racked with arthritis due to all their injuries, they need to have a retirement fund to support this eventuality, they need to start demanding more from their sponsors and stop being robbed - if the prize money or event organisation isn't right... don't turn up! It will only take a few times of this happening before sponsors buck their ideas up or make no money at all!
  • 1 0
 Random question, can anyone remember which DVD it is that Kyle Strait rides a scooter through trails when he was a young lad? I've had the tune rattling round my head for days but can pin it down!
  • 1 0
 Kranked?
  • 1 0
 lets all shit piss and moan about red bull. next year the riders can starve along with their crew. the event won't get televised and you wont see a whole bunch of guys risk their lives for nothing.
  • 1 0
 as much as i love brandon, he should just stay with slope style, downhill isnt his type of riding style and he's been crashing out for the last few years. not hating, just stating.
  • 1 1
 Cam McCaul, you sir are a true professional. Andreu, bring a grenade for Oakley too will you? It looks to me like the contest went the way it did so they could have their boys on the podium. Maybe Strait belonged there somewhere, but (I hate to say) probably not first. He probably won so there could be a repeat winner. There was talk of him on Pinkbike being the one to get it done & it's a coincidence that might not be just a coincidence. One-hit wonder boy didn't belong up there that's for sure. I'm not convinced Strait could've rode anyone's lines better than anyone else, but I have no doubt that he could ride yours better than you, Zink. It's funny how Strait, a guy with a pretty mean bag of tricks, confessed to using a very unrespectable strategy, claiming to basically be a stagnating rider & Zink is really the one doing that in every single f*cking contest he enters!!!! Just get the f*ck out you holier-than-thou prick. You were decent a decade ago. You're nothing more than a backflip or a 3 over the biggest thing on course now, preceded by a shit ton of hype. No wonder the only frame sponsor you can get sells bikes in department stores. "Hyper" is kinda fitting though no? Since that's you (Zink) in a nutshell. A "Hyper". Hyping every backflip you do. I saw Andreu do something at Rampage I've never seen in this sport before, & you made the podium AGAIN, with a stupid f*cking backflip?!!!! Go join the f*cking circus. You're like Robbie Knievel trying to compete with the likes of Robbie Maddison. You're a smug, snobbish douche-bag just like Knievel, doing the same basic thing over & over & making a big spectacle of it. The difference is, the judges in FMX wouldn't give Craptain Knievel the time of day, nevermind a spot on any podium for what little he can do on a bike, if he bothered to try. Guess you deserve credit for trying, but you don't deserve no f*ckin' podium!
  • 1 0
 Instead of red bull spending thousands and thousands of money on advertising through extreme sport to promote the drink. Why dont they just spend the money to make it taste better? If tastes good i'll drink it !!!
  • 2 0
 Andreu is my winner, would love to see him more often on a big bike, he rode it down like a wild beast and that style...wow that was just what the moutain needed
  • 4 0
 lacondeguys still my winner... that flow
  • 1 0
 Do they keep all of the jumps and built features up after the competition?
I know they take down the tent and stuff like but i wonder if stuff like the canyon gap jump is still there.
  • 1 1
 Kinrade? Go back to the riders? The riders have been calling for that? WTF dude....it's how it gets paid for dude...it's how you all get paid. If you don't like the hype, commercialization or whatever you want to call it don't accept the money, the bike the jersey the hotel room etc. your old enough to get it. Your pro enough to get how it works. Get with it champ.
  • 4 1
 respect to the OGs, forsure some bike name legends
  • 4 1
 yeah man no doubt !...
  • 3 0
 can't wait for 2014 rampage
  • 3 0
 Didn't Pinkbike want a comment from Brendawg???
  • 4 0
 Or maybe Brendawg didn't want to weigh in? When you think about it what was the point of him going to all that trouble to build a massive a unique canyon gap and nail a beautiful line down the mountain just to end up no where. Him and others nailed what Rampage always used to be about and got f*ck all recognition for it! The WC racers really shake up Rampage and show everyone how to ride fast and flowy lines but what incentive to they have to risk everything in future years with all the TV friendly slopestyle stuff appearing and high costs just to get there and ride for zero returns???
  • 7 0
 He had, imo, the hardest, sketchiest 'line' in the event. Zink is full of it with regards to his comment on his line. Not a single person tried Brendan's line, and judging by how exposed it was, and how fast he hit it, I doubt many people could have. Oh well. It is what it is, a popularity contest......
  • 2 0
 I'm in complete agreement. Brendawg was SO FAST over seriously sketchy "trail". His canyon gap and that landing were insane!
He and TMac deserve way more recognition.
  • 2 0
 Agreed, seemed like the natural lines almost had a handicap on them, I bet TMac would have scored better if that had of been the big wooden Oakley sender in place of the big natural drop (which I thought was pretty awesome). Not trying to be an ass about it, it was still an awesome event and fun to watch, I just would like to see the natural lines on more of a level playing field. I totally agree with what Vanderham said too, seemed like the riders who put it all on the line in a second run pretty much got screwed. Especially Bingelli, felt bad seeing him break his leg in a run that didn't count.
  • 1 2
 I don't know if you noticed but my drop was bigger than his and since I went first and it was really windy I think I'm going to have to sue red bull because clearly I should have won. I just put that bit more effort in than the other guys ya know? Props to the winner, I just have that extra experience and that's all I need. I don't have a big crew behind me, I let my riding do the talking and I think you'll agree it makes a good argument.
  • 1 0
 So I heard from Kyle Strait his diet was actually 3 packs of beef jerky and then he dropped in. Likely why he won. Take note ladies and gentlemen.
  • 2 0
 Lacondeguy's grenade should go to redbull. Nah... Just kidding
  • 1 3
 Not sure why Norbs got robbed as he looks like Vettel...

RedBull and the judges SUCK BIG TIME!!!!!!!

RIDERS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS SHOULD BE THE CLAW RAMPAGE!!!!!!!

Grand prize 100 000$ for the winner! and a car!

RAMPAGE NEEDS REAL SPONSORS!!!!!!!!!! OBVIOUSLY RED BULL DOESN'T DELIVER.
If Red Bull continues like this, the Claw needs to make THE CLAW RAMPAGE!
  • 2 0
 Red Bull ! Pay these guys and their support crews what they deserve.
  • 2 0
 Went Strait to Zinc...
  • 1 0
 And i still think Kelly and Andreu got robbed Big Grin
  • 1 0
 hello...did you guys forget doerfling?
  • 1 0
 Doerfling rules
  • 1 1
 I can honestly say this is the best article I have ever read, thank you Pinkbike for such an in depth view!!
  • 1 0
 wow! if you have started read it, no other way than finished it !
  • 1 0
 The sport would not be where it is without Red Bull.
  • 1 0
 True but that doesn't mean they don't have to compensate the riders and builders fairly.
  • 1 0
 the risk to reward ratio is never in the favour of the riders
  • 1 0
 Hey...what happend to Sam Pilgrim? There are no vids and nothing...?..:S
  • 1 0
 I'm gna have a salad for lunch! (Then try some no handers)
  • 1 1
 There should just be fewer guys competing. Like maybe 10.
  • 2 3
 I dont care! all You problems are so boring!
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