AGGYEvery 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!
T MACGoing 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.
BEARCLAWI 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.
McGAZZAAfter 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!
LACONDEGUYFor my second run, I think I’ll just throw a grenade at the judges tent and fly back home...nah, I’m kidding.
CHUBEYIt’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.
NORBSIt 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.
STRAITWith 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.
ZINKAnother 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."
WESTERLUNDThis 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.
MONTGOMERY2013 Red Bull Rampage, I just wanted to survive it. For 2014 I'm going for it!
VANDERHAMThis 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.
BUEHLERI 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!
KINRADERampage 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.
ROBINSONOnly 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.
SORGEThis 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!
GULLYRampage 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.
CAM McCAULWith 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!
Why? Because they'll do it for free. F1 guys don't take a dump for free. Boycott!
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?
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
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.
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.
You are so on the mark with that comment! Are boys are real men that can handle the dangers of their sport!
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
I found that funny
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Good point made by one of the riders above that would the second runs have been wiped if Semenuk nailed his second run. Conspiracy! Well, interesting point at the very least
"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."
Feel proud dude, all of us were disappointed that the comp ended early, not in you guys
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 !
"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.
Shockingly good summary of the risks and challenges faced at Rampage
I think T-Mac should have taken 1 or 2, but Fairclough at least needs some more forum cred.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
I know they take down the tent and stuff like but i wonder if stuff like the canyon gap jump is still there.
He and TMac deserve way more recognition.
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!
We know who was there and who did what...