Official 2013 Oakley Icon Sender Reveal

Sep 24, 2013 at 22:25
by Julian Coffey  
Every year since the Oakley Icon Sender’s 2010 inception into the controlled-chaos that is Red Bull Rampage, it has been one of the largest, most mesmerizing features created by the build crew. Consistently, the Icon Sender has challenged riders, forcing them to year-by-year determine new lines down the mountain while navigating monster drops and pushing their personal performance boundaries, which, in turn, increases the overall wow-factor of the event.

2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender render by Scott Dickson
2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender render by Scott Dickson

Taking into consideration the limited space on the cliff-side and a crowd-sourced design inspiration via the Render The Sender contest, the team of designers at Oakley collaborated with riders and builders to come up with a feature they collectively agreed would produce the most thrilling spectacle possible. Countless designs were sketched and considered, altered and canned, before the team came to a consensus on what will be on display on the day of reckoning – a design that pushes the ever-evolving envelope that has come to be expected of the Oakley Icon Sender.

2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender build at Red Bull Rampage
2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender build at Red Bull Rampage

The 2013 Icon Sender is a mix of bold and technical options, which will offer riders who choose to incorporate it into their lines a way to showcase their strong points in a critical part of the course. This years’ Icon Sender includes five takeoffs (three of which are new) with three landings (one new). Without going into detail, understand that there are just varying degrees of heart-stopping possibilities on offer, allowing each rider to choose which best suits his abilities and intestinal fortitude.

2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender build at Red Bull Rampage

As a crucial navigational point on the course, the Icon Sender presents the H5 build crew, led by Jeremy Witek, with its greatest construction challenge – one which required equal parts strategy and execution. With additional necessary construction compared with prior years, the build crew had its work cut out for itself. Uprights had to be embedded in the cliff side, a new landing required an exacting assessment of trajectory and slope, and of course there’s the always-daunting challenge of maneuvering a massive piece of machinery up a considerable slope on soft soil.

2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender build at Red Bull Rampage

Rock-retaining walls were hand-stacked and countless wheelbarrow loads of dirt dumped from the top of the feature in order to fill in the slope. Then it all had to be levelled in order to complete the landing - nothing was easy in the entire process. And yet every year, it happens without complaint. The key is to continue to build the legendary freeride structure in Utah, something that the riders, spectators will enjoy and remember for years to come.

2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender build at Red Bull Rampage

While all of the exciting new launch options are massive and trying, the builders have taken extreme care to make sure the nuts and bolts of the construction of the course are precise. Builders stood at different segments of the features, constantly consulting one another to make sure takeoffs and landings match, and that expected trajectories will carry riders to where they need to be. The amount of collective thought, consideration, and collaboration from riders, designers and builders that has been put into this year’s Icon Sender has created a truly unique focal point of the course that should result in some all-time shredding.

2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender build at Red Bull Rampage
2013 Oakley Icon Icon Sender build at Red Bull Rampage


oakley
redbull.com/bike
Scott Dickson





Author Info:
JulianCoffey avatar

Member since Aug 9, 2010
158 articles

263 Comments
  • 399 54
 While It looks really good, I always loved Rampage for the raw riding, and putting in all these wooden parts, and having such built lines is starting to dampen things down a bit to a gnarly slopestyle course.
  • 40 6
 Tim Taylor and Al Borland would be proud! Love the multiple lines that looks sweet.
  • 162 2
 That top one is so massive O.O
  • 13 3
 See if anyone going to flip those drops.
  • 124 6
 True, but as long as it's one feature and the rest of the hill is natural, why not?
It's like in Formula 1; everyone complains about too many city races but nobody can imagine it without Monaco.
  • 52 76
flag Brenmaster (Sep 25, 2013 at 1:45) (Below Threshold)
 I don't get why you would put that wooden bulls**t in an area of natural beauty like that. What the hell is wrong with dirt ? and riding the beautiful dirt that is there. Own Goal Oakely
  • 41 9
 I simply think there should be 2 rampages, evo in the form we know today and classic, where riders would be given a day or two to build lines, no wood or sand bags allowed, another day or two for practice with couple of hours allowed to tweak the lines and big day of competition. Now just convince Redbull to make it happen Smile
  • 93 7
 anyone else think 'F*ck. that.'
  • 15 71
flag Barbour1994 (Sep 25, 2013 at 3:54) (Below Threshold)
 This is gonna be Cray! This is gonna be 50 Shades of Cray!
  • 28 6
 Next year's Oakley drop will have a full size half pipe as well as a loop-d-loop in it...
  • 34 1
 Hucking Fuge
  • 9 1
 Its Realy HUGGGE!!. The big drop is about 40-50 feet. HOLY SHIT!!
  • 9 46
flag aussiebrock (Sep 25, 2013 at 4:33) (Below Threshold)
 The only possible person to flip any of those drops would be semenuk
  • 23 1
 @Aussiebrock, even though Zink holds the record for biggest backflip off a drop?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dw1d0RfOt-4
  • 55 2
 They just gonna stop when someone die
  • 13 24
flag trailstar2danman (Sep 25, 2013 at 5:27) (Below Threshold)
 Bring in the concrete...rebars, whats nexr anti-gravity bikes, wheres the Rampage Red Bull i knew, they should get out and let Oakley Rampage take over, Frown
  • 15 12
 @DemoB - I was thinking the exact same thing. this isn't rampage anymore. just a slopestyle contest.... perfectly machine groomed landings and more wood then an indoor skate park. that's not rampage at all. not denying its going to be wicked to watch, but its just not what ive been looking forward to, like the classic rampage.
  • 9 0
 That huge drop looks terrifying as hell Eek
  • 13 6
 Yeah they have f'in construction equip out there now? Backhoe's ? Give me a freaking break....
  • 34 12
 Hmmm... I wonder how many people hating on ONE FEATURE have been to the actual site and checked it out...

Yeah, that's what I thought but thanks for the laughs. The part about it becoming another slope contest really made my gut burst, haha.

Now I know that someone spinning off the top drop may not happen but what's with the posts on the sides? Wouldn't there be a chance of someone catching a rear tire? I do love the simplicity of the build, though.
  • 11 6
 Sorry zink slipped my mind there. And for people to say its turning into a slope course because there's a bit of timber and a few ramps is hilarious , I call that keeping up with progression
  • 14 3
 I know it would be nice to have everything natural but you have to keep in mind this is a contest, and it has to be held within in a limited area. That puts a limit on what can be done on 'natural' terrain as there may not be an accessible natural spot for such a big drop within the contest area. You can't just roll up and start riding off cliffs. There has to be a run in, proper distance, right pitch of landing etc. Same goes for the larger jumps. There are limits to what can be done on natural terrain. If it takes a few wooden features here and there to raise the level or riding than I'm all for it. 90% of each riders run will still be on the natural stuff.

And Scott - I think if someone were to catch a rear tire on one of those posts doing a spin off that big drop they'd be royally screwed regardless. If their back wheel is anywhere near those posts they have no chance of making the landing. They'd have to take it much farther out.
  • 2 0
 Yeah I'm curious just because you can't really tell how well lined up the drop is for the landing... the previous sender you had to be pretty far right. If it's a dead-center takeoff I'm sure those posts won't pose a problem.
  • 12 0
 as cool as this is i hope we can see other zones around the world for rampage in the near future. it may be difficult to scout a future site that would even allow for an event as heavy as this but it would be amazing.

time for a "claudio" style rampage line preview edit!
  • 1 4
 @Extremmist Monaco has produced very dull racing for years and I think its time to loose it as it is now just pandering to the rich and too self-absorbed to be truly interested in F1. As for the ramps here, pretty spectacular!
  • 20 25
flag freeride-forever (Sep 25, 2013 at 9:31) (Below Threshold)
 WTF? How much of this stupid wooden bullshit do you see on a freeski course? This isn't slopestyle Oakley, so f*ck off. All these drops & booters can be made without the wood, in the dirt, the way it's supposed to be. The riders are supposed to pick their lines & build them on their own or with their own respective crews, not just come out & jump off some big "canned" bullshit. If I were a judge I'd subtract points for hittin' that junk 'cuz you're too lazy to build your own line. I'm glad to see big sponsorships & investment in the sport, but I'm not happy to see it defiled. Find another venue or make your own & stop spoiling Rampage. Go Claw!!!!!
  • 40 3
 Way to go Oakley. You really pissed off Freerider-forever on that one.
  • 6 3
 Umm quite a bit actually considering all rails and wallrides are made of metal and not snow. Also did you not see the wooden features and boner logs in previous claw invitationals? Its much easier to engineer this type of thing in the desert with wood and not dirt.

Everyone should stfu and wait till you see guys flying off this thing before opening your mouth. This is a big mountain/freeride contest not slopestyle btw.....
  • 3 1
 freeski* not slopestyle lol ooops. Still skiers dont need to work out their lines either before skiing they just look at them and go. biking is a tad different.... Apples and oranges
  • 4 2
 He was talking about freeskiing, not slope. There's almost never any manmade anything in a freeski/big mountain comp, save maybe a cat track or something.

Rampage is still all about the judging. If judges score well for natural lines and make them a viable option we'll have an amazing comp, end of story. And no matter what it's going to be a spectacular show.
  • 7 2
 ZINK TO FLIP THE BIG ONE!
  • 11 0
 That drop is 75 feet of nope
  • 20 0
 when are they gonna build a hospital there?
  • 5 1
 I think its hard to compare big mountain skiing to big mountain biking. Yes skiers scope out their lines but for the most part they don't have to build them. Everything is covered in snow, its all ridable, and the landings are soft. They pick a line and just hit it. You cant do that on a bike. You can just climb to the top of a mountain with a bike and just blast down. Bikes can't just blast through everything in the way. Lines, run ins, lips, & landings all need to be walked and worked, cleared of debris before riding. I still think calling this thing a slopestyle contest is ridiculous. Watch the riders. At most they hit one or two man made drops or jump per run within their line down.
  • 7 1
 I went to RBR 2012. Don't knock it...UNTIL YOU STAND ON TOP OF THE OAKLEY SENDER AND LOOK DOWN AT THE LANDING. Seriously. IT IS INSANE. And yes, I actually did walk the course afterwards with permission of the crew cleaning up after the event, stood ontop of the sender, looked down, and began to feel very dizzy
  • 3 1
 let me know next time you see anything that big in a slopestyle contest. what it really comes down to is progression of the sport, and that's what rampage was about to begin with.
  • 7 2
 A lot of people complaining about stuff being groomed, buffed, built with various materials and constructed by experts....
Think about the safety of riders... You can't build massive features without some serious work... What riders are gonna put themself at a much higher risk by something that is unnecessarily sketchy.
There will be plenty of natural rider built lines, stop complaining about making a few massive, calculated features. You want progression and huge stuff but complain when they do what they can to make things safer? Do you have any idea how huge this stuff is?.........
  • 2 0
 you gotta ask yourself.. would you boycott watching it because you didnt like the built features? not me! that one tall sender is getting close to basejumping territory where they're gonna need chutes!
  • 6 0
 I ran one of the best pictures to scale from through a program I use for work to see how big the top drop was and came up with. 47' DROP 77' GAP if i am looking at it right and those numbers are going to be off some because the picture is not a perfect side shot. www.pinkbike.com/photo/10138112
  • 1 0
 I just hope nobody will fall chin first on the "pikes"... I guess there's no chance of doing that though... Even if we would be surprised what people are capable of Big Grin
  • 4 3
 If Zink 3 this... I won't believe in god anymore, but in ZINK! Because this would be holy!
  • 1 0
 where is the bonus rings, for extra points. the drop is big, but the landing will be even bigger.
  • 1 1
 You made some canadians and brits mad! How dare you not agree with the collective! You will be assimilated
  • 1 0
 I did that's why I bought a ticket, that and because I will never be as good as these guys!
  • 1 0
 I'm proud of all the PBers that are against the wooden ramps at rampage, although they do make big hucks, I'm sure there are lots of places on that mountain to huck oneself plenty far without the ramp. My favorite part of rampage is seeing those guys ride straight down off the side of a cliff.
  • 7 3
 Jimmy- That's a really strange and stupid thing to be proud of. I guarantee you that a majority of the kids complaining, including yourself, didn't watch or even know about the Rampage's existence back when they had it at the old site from 2001-2004 (the only times they didn't use wooden features). Judging from your profiles, the ones complaining were 10-12 years old when the LAST Rampage occurred, when they announced it would never be returning.

You kids are such bullshit artists. I have to say, my favorite is bike-person up there saying how he misses the "classic" Rampage... hahaha, good lord.
  • 6 1
 This is a ridiiiiiculous amount of controversial blabber. It's gonna be an absolutely awesome show!! I, for one, cannot WAIT to see everyone throw down.
  • 3 6
 Norbs will still get robbed.
  • 1 1
 I would've been around 13 and I watched the shit out of it.
  • 3 2
 semenuk can flat flip drop zink used a lip
  • 3 0
 Bigbossman, i couldn't of said it better, let the dirt fly!!
  • 4 0
 I agree. That's the point most are missing. It's not about well how can you go that big without ramps and constructed landings? Well you cant, but id rather watch a natural line. Rampage is cool because it's a raw big mountain free-ride comp. I would like it to stay that way. It seems every year now there is more and more wood and dirt hauling going on and it concerns me.
  • 1 4
 Bigbossman- The Rampage, since it's being televised with such a big viewership and the new way judges watch the comp, (they're not sitting on a couch that's propped on a ledge where they can see everything) cannot be run in a way where no-one knows what line they're taking... even still, it's hardly predictable since you only know which one of the ridges they're starting at for qualis. Finals runs you have no clue unless you know personally what a specific rider plans to do or you're "in" with the people independently filming or the event workers.

The step down Straight sent was called the Bender Sender and just to let you know, the Oakley Sender for this year is higher with the same distance out. Also the Bender Sender's takeoff and landing were very much smooth. It was gnarly because of the insane speed to had to take into it in order to hit it and ride outta it... which seems to be the case for this year's edition of the Oakley Sender.

The judges always favor those who take the more original lines, nothing has changed in that aspect. I think you people really need to let go of the original bare-bones idea of Rampage and just be happy that it's back and way gnarlier than what it used to be (the natural stuff up high is VERY gnarly).
  • 4 0
 you have a point on strait's sender bigbossman. that's like 10yrs ago and strait was what? 16-17yrs old?!
  • 3 6
 Umm... no one has ever said the Bender Sender is over 80-90ft... do you know how massive that is? Most people agree that the Sender is about 70ft. out with a drop no bigger than 25-30ft. (still so insane) and the landing not roughneck terrain at all, haha. It's not as pristine as the Oakley drop but it's a good run out... last time I was down there, these kids that were prob. 18-20 years old invited me to go hit it with them. I don't know if those kids were just insane loc dogs but I wouldn't imagine them doing the same if the new Oakley drop was left up.

Go google some images of it real quick and compare it to last year's Oakley Sender... notice how small the riders are? Now imagine them taking off from that point of rock to looker's left and landing on the point of the ridge below... yeah, that's way bigger than what anyone could produce "naturally" out there.
  • 2 2
 thinkin about these senders is causing shrinkage. i think as spectators it is ALL equally scary. safe flights for all of 'em!
  • 3 1
 35 foot your crazy! Anything with Bender's name on it is 60 foot minimum. That drop Kyle hit when he was 17 was bigger in every way, out+down+landing was hectic. Oakley did a great job supporting this event but hopefully someone sends the real big drops that are everywhere.
  • 2 2
 ^ apparently you don't know how large 30ft. vertical is either...

You guys can believe what you want but that's not the case. As fullbug said- it'll be enjoyment and the most insane riding regardless.
  • 1 1
 Ah... you're right. I should tuck my penis in shame at how big of an idiot I've been Frown
  • 2 2
 does anyone here understand how big i foot is? because a 90 ft drop is pretty much death
  • 2 2
 ha just thought. you are probably the people that talk about the ganrly 40 ft booter you just built when in reality its closer to 10
  • 3 2
 Thank you, wilkey... I thought I was taking crazy pills for a second... a very brief second. It seems there are a lot of people out there that severely overestimate pretty much everything.
  • 2 2
 This is how freeride is and always will be. Making drops out of wood works just as good as dirt, and is easier to Red Bull and Oakley's concern. Why would you let this affect your enjoyment of the event.
  • 3 0
 @aussiebrock
c'mon. According to the spray we regularly wade through on this website, every keyboard badass on Pinkbike could double backflip that drop while drinking a beer. In their sleep. On a hardtail. In 50 MPH winds.
  • 1 0
 Oh sh#t , yeah forgot that about all the pros on this site lol I just say bring on rampage and let the riders and there runs do the talking .
  • 53 2
 this is next level
  • 35 0
 the big drop, holy shiiitttt
  • 8 1
 You tell them Riley
  • 54 0
 Yeah you probably need a pilot license for first drop
  • 3 4
 This is great because It's pinkbike user designed, but I think it is no where as cool as last years.
  • 2 0
 are there any building codes for this....this..looks...AMAZING!!
  • 1 0
 It would be nice to see a photo of the lower line that was designed by the winner of the contest... the only finished view seems to be the drawing above.
  • 1 1
 So give us some stats!! How far of a drop is each one and how far out do the landing??!? WTF!?
  • 1 0
 Its opens up way more choices than last years. Big improvement imo.
  • 1 0
 to the ER! better have a good insurance policy.
  • 28 0
 I don't get why everyone is bitching about this bring a big slopestyle contest. Take the canyon gap, that would take way too long to build with dirt. But if someone did build it with dirt, why would that be huge progressive freeride, but thr exact same lip out of wood is slopestyle? Building material doesn't matter. How big riders are going matters. Without the wood canyon gap there, riders wouldn't use that side of the course. Sometimes wood is needed.

Also, everyone poops their pants over chatel mountain style. Oh it's the only other big mountain contest of the year? (usually). Well that's way more wood than rampage, so if that's big mountain, how come less wood at rampage makes it slopestyle? holy shit people just be happy. You aren't riding this course, and the riders collaborated on this, let them decide. I think stuff like this pushes the sport beyond what 100% raw terrain would.

Stoked to see people send it. Good work oakley. Thanks for trying to push the sports limits.
  • 5 0
 People just see these pics and tend to forget that the other 90% of the course has no wood at all and is still pretty natural...this just adds the 'wow' factor like the big finish line jumps at any DH race.
  • 2 0
 I have been an obsessive rampage fan since it started (and yes, I am that fat and old). I got a chance to go to Utah last year and what WRT line choice, and feature selection, a lot more people than ever before bit the sender. It stood to reason that the feature would be rebuilt to make it harder, taller, faster etc. the sender is about mid way down and riders have it as part of about 6-7 major line choices by the time they get that far down the course. And that's the thing. It's a choice. And how it fits into their overall run is what's gong to matter. Last year messere and norby got masses of respect taking extremely hardcore lines and crashing out. So many people hit the sender that it more or less didn't feature onthe podium.

Moreover, cam McCaul totally blew me away with the canyon gap. I'm expecting big things this year.

I'd like to second the motion to thank Oakley. They didn't have to spend an ass load of money rebuilding thae sender. If a bunch Of guys came to your trails to build bigger stuff, and asked you what you wanted, the came back a year later or two, and made it better, would it be reasonable for one to be so rude?

Building this junk is hard, and most of us have jobs or school. Maybe we should be glad people invest in outsport, rather than letting it go stale.
  • 33 11
 Very-very big slopestyle course that has nothing to do with the concept of first Rampages - RAW freeriding
  • 27 4
 I think this sport has passed just raw freeriding. Now you have to build these huge features to show what athletes are capable of. Its hard to do that in just raw environment.
  • 9 1
 Semenuks dirt step down was the most impressive feature last year, and the steep lines Sorge and others took scored big. The best action is in the loose dirt but I do want to see some guys huck the huge line.

What is the record for biggest vertical drop for mountain bikes? Bender at 60 or 70 feet?
  • 6 0
 I don't mind the Oakley Sender so long as the locations are not select simply for that feature alone. I think back when Rampage was still "raw only", the drop lines were selected based on the wide selection of raw features. If they start saying "man this spot would make an awesome sender", we risk getting a show that is only the sender and all the raw lines look weak.

Scoring should reflect both the riders ball's and his creativity in building raw stuff.
  • 1 0
 I know the structure is perfectly stable but does the biggest drop look a bit rickety?
  • 22 4
 Awesome stuff but I feel it kind of detracts from the point of Rampage. Theoretically you could just rock up and hit a line someone else made which isn't really the point of it from what I undertstand. Gee's line from 2011 and Semenuk's line from last year took a ridiculous amount of build effort and I feel they get cheated out of their dues in a way by the people who decide to huck the big line the sponsors want to see done. Once again it's ridiculously cool to see this stuff made but I'd rather see the playing field level as it were.
  • 10 5
 Semenuk crashed, buddy. He wasn't cheated out of anything and neither was Gee... you nut.
  • 1 0
 Throwing a backflip off a drop that huge aint nothing to sneeze at. Especially when a non-slopestyle guy like Binggeli does it. I would agree though the competition needs to be scored based on combination of "raw feature/creativity" and "built feature/balls" scores.
  • 1 0
 "Gee's line from 2011" was actually a more low key approach to Romaniuk's line from 2010. No Rampage in 2011. Romo started from higher up than Gee did and smashed himself up on landing in qualification....not guts no glory and that is from one of the best Git R Dun guys out there....miss him at Rampage.

Just noting that Romo's line was the gap to wall ride out that many others have used since....gotta love his crazy self for thinking it up.

www.redbullusa.com/cs/userfiles/file/3_Rampage_Sequence_SteveRomaniuk.jpg

I've been to Rampage to support crews a few times and it is impressive and humbling. Props to ALL the rippers who send it there.
  • 1 0
 Scott buddy I'm not disputing results or people getting cheated from scoring here I'm really just saying that there needs to be incentive to build a line yourself, cos that's where the magic of rampage really comes from. I used semenuk as an example (perhaps a poor one I'll admit as he had a pretty big build crew to help) but he moved mountains to make that big huck line built with sandbags etc.
  • 1 0
 Sorry but you can see why I was unclear when you wrote, " Gee's line from 2011 and Semenuk's line from last year took a ridiculous amount of build effort and I feel they get cheated out of their dues"... didn't really make any sense because everyone was judged correctly (except Norbs lol) and I felt like "props" were given to those riders that put a lot of work into their lines.

There are plenty of lines that people have built themselves, to the point where there are not many options left. I think people are overreacting horribly to the pre-built features that take up 5% of the course. The simple facts are; they're within a limited area, this is the 4th year in that area so most conceivable lines have been built, not every rider can spend the previous week, 2 weeks building their lines and the comp. format has been changed so they don't have as much time to build like the original Rampage years. There's only so much the riders can do on their own.

Simply put, the only original, rider-built lines you will see are those that were built last year but the riders were hurt or not able to rip. The event is nothing like it used to be with the larger audience and it being TELEVISED so really I think people should just be happy that it's back... then again (not you necessarily) they probably don't remember how much it sucked to have it end.

It's such a small thing to complain about that I think makes the comp. way more exciting. Think of it, if the Rampage was as it was, Zink's 360 and the canyon gap never would have happened. Also every rider chooses their line based off their riding styles and not off what their sponsors tell them Wink
  • 20 0
 If I ever need to sharpen my giant pencil I know who to ask.
  • 2 0
 No shit... hey... lets make this as intimidating as we can... never-mind the drop, watch the spears.
  • 1 0
 I hear one of them is made from the tree Gee Atherton hit, Stevie sent it over to them for the giggles
  • 14 1
 I like the sport and I want to see it grow. I get the "keep it real" thing but sponsors like Oakley wouldn't be kicking out big $$ if it was still a handful of hardcore guys hucking rocks in a desert with a few of their friends standing around watching. I love that it's on NBC. I also love that somewhere in a corporate boardroom there are a bunch of old guys saying "I think it's a good idea for us to pay thousands of dollars to build some big ass jumps for guys to ride their bikes off".
Natural? go ride your bike through some woods not on a trail and see how natural really feels.... Thanks Oakley! and RedBull!!
  • 5 10
flag Auxx (Sep 25, 2013 at 6:48) (Below Threshold)
 I live in a country where there are no bike parks, IMBA, trail systems, etc. Natural terrain is effing awesome! You, Americans, became "kids" - clean parks, calculated lines, medical assistance in 5 min time... I'm pretty OK without all that.
  • 8 0
 The sport I am talking about is freeride mountain biking. What is the definition of natural? Look at the early videos of the pioneers of the sport. Hand built trails with jumps and wooden features. It is my opinion that Rampage is a good mix of all of them.

The more money that comes into the sport means more innovation, technology, lower production costs, and paychecks for the Pros. When I was growing up, jumping a bicycle was not a career choice. Now it is. That's really cool. I hope it continues.
  • 5 1
 @Auxx - obviously you've never ridden out here.

I'm fine with the wood features so long as they don't become mandatory to win.
  • 8 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/8760849

I think this explains everything...
  • 2 1
 That's a good point. I like the sender so everyone that doesn't can bugger off. But I agree that it shoudln't be mandatory to win (i.e., automatic x points if you hit the sender). I know it's not that way officially, but judges should be careful not to knock points for another line unless the other line is just not as challenging/cool.
  • 2 1
 @hotrodmarlin couldn't have said it better myself....if it was 100% natural like some people are suggesting, it just would be the incredible event that we all know it as today...I'd like to see someone find a natural drop that size (50ft or so) that is actually possible to ride
  • 1 0
 look back at the early rampages, they were awesome in their own right on very roughed in lines To me a natural trail is; brush and debris cleared from immediate path as NECESSARY, natural camber except for lips, natural organic and inorganic soil rocks roots stay.
  • 13 2
 Funny he said they first built this thing to help CG come back from injury... would make more sens to build something like that to be able to carpool to the hospital...
  • 8 0
 In 10 years I have a feeling we'll be reminiscing about how quickly the Rampage contests progressed each year and how it's a shame it all came to such an abrupt halt after _______________ died... Just like with ski-base-wingsuit-jumping. It just kept progressing and progressing until Shane McConkey died, now everyone's realizing it was rad pushing the limits until our favourite hero lost his life doing it, and it actually wasn't that worth doing in the first place...

It's an unstoppable machine; the people (riders, sponsors, fans, everyone) just want more more MOAR without realizing the consequences for failure have reached well into the death zone.

Good luck riders! Ride safe and come home healthy!
  • 2 0
 i agree but i trust these guys know what they're doing, they're the best riders of the world for a reason
  • 3 0
 MCConkey was the best too going back to my skiing example. There's a lot of young guns trying to prove their mettle and a lot of aging top freeriders that may decide to push it past their limits to hold on to a declining career. It's a lot of risk. I hope things continue to go as well as the have in years past, I'm just pointing out that the penalty for failure is getting ridiculous #gladIgotoutwhenIdid
  • 9 0
 I showed my girlfriend these photos... She said:
" wow... Wouldn't that break your bike? Or your a*shole?!"

Lol, pretty much, yesSmile
  • 9 0
 So glad to see the guy with the chainsaw is wearing the mandatory safety gear of a floppy hat and shorts Wink
  • 3 0
 Yeah i was gunna say OSHA must love that pic no fall protection or anything.
  • 1 0
 OSHA can go fuck themselves...safety freak bastards
  • 4 0
 That must be bigger than last years? Sorry to be a misery guts but it seems every rider that features in photo's on these main page posts is wearing a helmet, so the dude in the last two photos should be wearing protection while operating a chainsaw shouldn't he?
  • 3 0
 Different culture i think mate. I also noticed no hard hats or high viz, wouldn't happen over here but then we probably couldn't do something like the rampage anyway due to H&S.
  • 2 2
 You do realise all the British Health and Safety Bullshit has come from the US don't you? Their, sue everyone for everything attitude made the UK nervous of similar trends, which were happening a lot due to the rise in 'No win, No fee' lawsuits.. As a result you can't take a piss or scratch your ass without some kind of warning notice. Hell they even tell you how to wash your hands!
  • 4 0
 i dont get what everyone is complaining about there is just a few wood features its no slopestyle thats for sure the majority of the course is raw alot of lines dont touch wood and so what theres one wood feature in someone line this is still a true big mountain comp and its cool to see these massive wood features
  • 1 2
 ya the wood is OK whit me ...but I am not a big fan of using big machines to build up the landings ...use whats there and be creative !!!
  • 4 0
 what's next, wood ramps, pavers, at whistler, mammoth, leogang...?
Dah, I love riding that stuff at all my fav resorts.
This is the ultimate representation of wc dh mixed w/ freeride tour, and all coordinated for tv!
Thanks to redbull and oakley..athletes, et. Al.!
  • 3 0
 Slope style needs to progress but 1 serious injury will set everything backwards. Bigger isn't always better! It will be fun to watch but the chances of bad crashes are getting bigger and bigger. And my kid wants to be there soon? Shit that looks crazy
  • 3 0
 What the hell! That top sender is beyond massive! I don't see anyone but Zink/Strait/Claw or maybe Andreu (or Brendog seeing as his line was basically monster hits last year) trying it, and I'm going to be pooping my pants just watching it. It has to go right or it will go very wrong, I guess if it's there after all the athlete input it means they approve, but in that case, quoting the great Rob Warner, "I don't know how they walk with balls that big".
  • 1 0
 or that they will all be releasing chocolate hostages
  • 1 0
 Brilliant, and may well be true.
  • 4 0
 Who decides these things, do the riders have any input? It's one thing being bigger and better than last year but what happens if you cock-up on that massive drop? 'Do or die' springs to mind!
  • 6 1
 redbull calls the life risking process of exceeding the athletes limits "progression". people actually died while they were "progressing" in front of a redbull cam. i dont want to hate and im really grateful for the DH coverage on the internet, but I am also afraid that some day someone will not just walk away after a massive crash at rampage.
  • 1 0
 yeah, its true that its very dangerous, but the athletes are not forced to do anything and they know what they're getting into. biking IS a dangerous sport no matter how good your bike is or how well you protect yourself, and everyone who rides mountainbikes should know that. these pro's are pro's for a reason, they are really good at riding bikes so they know they can pull it off before they try something.
  • 2 0
 @tode word. As much as I love to watch this stuff and freeride skiing and all that, what athletes are asked to do in the name of "progression" is a little off-putting to me sometimes. It's almost like watching gladiators at this point.... the money doesn't flow unless someone is wantonly risking their life for our entertainment. Idk, I love to watch it but at a certain point I kinda feel guilty knowing what these riders have to risk for my amusement. Seems like the drops are just gonna get bigger and bigger until someone doesn't walk away, like you said. I'd be perfectly happy watching people shred the "natural" stuff on the course, and it's not like that isn't dangerous enough already. Yikes.
  • 1 0
 I'm pretty sure none of those riders are forced to do anything. If they don't want to do it, they don't. Just look at what happened at X-Games. Everyone has the freedom to do anything they want. These guys choose to ride bikes for a living instead of pushing a pen across paper all day.
  • 1 0
 Yeah I know nobody is forced to do anything, it just seems like the danger is a bit gratuitous is all. Just because someone is willing to do something more and more life-threatening each year doesn't mean they should necessarily be asked to do it. On the other hand, it's not like I'm not gonna watch the contest and drool over the action, so I guess I'm a little hypocritical.
  • 6 3
 Wooden jumps in a desert look weird. Bring back original spirit of Rampage and don't try to make it slopestyle event, please. Anyway props to builders, seems huge.
  • 3 0
 If its going to be RAW riding then chage the location because this one is used, but as we know there is not many other places to go.
  • 1 0
 no no! not needed. it looks massive, but the wood belongs to forests and bikeparks, the desert is just dirt and rocks, every freerider has enough creativity and tools to build epic trails for them ride. im sure we will some riders, to bypass icon sender, like Niko Vink did last year.
  • 1 0
 BIG Mountain, BIG BALLZ!! Theres the canyon gap that has a ramp. Who cares, it's Pushing the Sport & gonna make for an Insane Contest.
Stop Bitching some of y'all! Theres still plenty of room for natural line choice, i think these features only enhance the experience.
Rock on!!
  • 1 0
 all the riders doing this event have BALLS! regardless if you're pissed that it's a "slopestyle" event or whatever. my only concern is, "when is it too big?" i just hope when the riders eat it, they don't get too jacked up....i guess being 42 years of age gives me that perspective....
  • 1 0
 How can anyone complain about someone sending the big drop??? It is going to be soooo sick to see I can't wait for this! I was stoked when I was able to hit a 15ft drop and these guys are going to do drops 3-4 maybe even 5 times that size... With tricks haha! Incredible
  • 3 2
 As bad ass as it looks I can't help but think this is a shortsighted mistake. I know it gets torn down afterward but when the hillside starts getting excavated with heavy equipment, is it not just a matter of time before the BLM says no more, too much permanent destruction of the land. Go 5 hours east to Moab and they sh!t if you veer off trail a couple inches for the cryptobiotic soil.

How many sites are there like this in the world? Are there even any others? I've never, EVER sided with the tree hugging greenies before but this raping the landscape takes it to another level IMHO.

Incredibly the BLM and the city have given an inch and the MTB community is taking a mile...I fear to our future detriment.
  • 3 1
 Your sir, live in a bubble. What once stood where cities are now? What did the US look like when Columbus first set eyes on the coast? This is very very small damage my friend. Very very small that all will re grow in a short time. Go yap at the mayor of your nearest concrete jungle if you want to bash someone for destroying nature.
  • 2 0
 AFAIK, the Rampage site is private property. Don't think the BLM has anything to do with this. The BLM won't even allow us to put on a mountain bike race where I live.
  • 1 0
 Um, it's private land, it doesn't 'just get torn down', and the whole course is about 3 miles square. This *is* the second site /in Virgin, Utah/, so it seems likely that if there are billions of planets orbiting stars, there might just be another site or two worth grooming for big mountain action.

The meaningful question is; what are we gonna do when benders gone? Someone's gonna have to keep this alive, and at the moment, this event is basically all his fault.

Go figure.
  • 5 0
 my balls hart
  • 1 0
 Same haha!
  • 22 2
 Then you two should spend less time together!
  • 4 0
 hahahahahahahahaha that's the reply of the year!!
  • 3 0
 err what is up with that flat drop up on top? The landing for that must be 70+ feet out/down....
  • 3 0
 That top drop made me poop just a little. That said, bring back the old D.I.Y factor.
  • 3 1
 All this is will look year to year until someone has a really bad accident one day... I think they are going too big to be in a bike that weights 18kg
  • 1 1
 Looks like Virgin, Utah is no longer Virgin - The machining and wooden features takes away from what it was - big lines down incredible tough sections - the wooden drops and machined landings, while big, take away from the natural element - it just makes it a controlled slopestyle section.
  • 1 0
 I wonder if the popularity of Rampage will jump start long travel bikes to become more "freerideish".
Little higher bottom brackets, not so steep of head angles, stronger and heavier, etc.

I really hope so.
  • 1 0
 Those moaning about the course now having a few "Man made," sections, well the average course is long and the riders pick there own lines. This is only small and too be quite frank a crowd pleaser
  • 4 0
 Massive !
  • 1 0
 My head is just spinning wondering what theboys are gonna be throwin out this year,big 3s and flips i think will seal the deal!
  • 1 0
 I can't wait to see some loon sending that!! I just hope the judges reward riders equally whether they hit the Oakley sender in a run or ride they're own creative lines.
  • 2 1
 WHO is going to jump this?

It's more than twice as high as last year's Oakley Drop...
22 Meters... i think they overacted this time.
  • 2 1
 Everyone should stop hating. Bunch of squids. This is awesome and I am only a couple hours away so I get to see doods get wicked gnar bar. In your haterade faces.
  • 1 0
 Oh yeah, lets hope the Thieves that robbed Norbs aren't there this year!!
Does look a bit Cheap too. Maybe they will dress it up for the Day?
  • 2 0
 Hopefully Oakley buts up the square O this year, I feel like the oval one is pretty old school.
  • 1 0
 Ballsy to huck the drop, more dope seeing the worlds top riders cut a unique line they envisioned n tear up. A showcase once a year of natural steez.. fuck ya.
  • 1 2
 Chop that nonsense down! It COMPLETELY defeats the purpose of Redbull Rampage. You don't see them putting rail slides and half pipes in an extreme skiing competition... This makes NO sense! It should be natural terrain only. We have enough SS comps to watch all year we don't need rampage to turn into one. Bums me out to see this.
  • 1 0
 I hope they stay ghetto looking and not all pampered and pretty like the past few years. Fits the old school hucker style that Rampage is!
  • 2 1
 Is it just me or is it just as tall as last year but much longer? They are going to have to hit it a lot faster if that is the case.
  • 3 0
 wow so now its way bigger if you go from the top ramp... awesome!
  • 1 1
 Doesn't matter if this is contradicting the "natural" aspect of Rampage, somebody had better throw down an amazing run to win without hitting the huge drop. The viewers right sloped wheelchair ramp can die.
  • 2 0
 Regardless of what you think of wood in the Rampage, that is an incredible engineering feat. Especially miles from anywhere.
  • 2 0
 Keep going bigger until a big-name competitor dies? Scary...
  • 3 0
 Two words, CAM ZINK.
  • 2 0
 Remember -------> Benderoni
  • 1 0
 dudes are gonna be doing 80k coming down that tranny ... i wanna see the booter it leaks into ... yikes!
  • 1 0
 One wooden feature and the grannies get their knickers in a twist, there's a whole CLIFF face to play on remember. .......
  • 1 0
 Are you having a giraffe? That top step down must be close to 20m in height!
  • 2 0
 Bender bikes for all competitors!
  • 3 0
 HUCK IT TO FLAT!
  • 2 0
 Holy fuck! That's suicide lol
  • 1 0
 O its small . maybe you have drops for Ukraine and Russian freeriders ? 20meter + ? NO ?
  • 1 0
 If anyone needs tickets for Rampage let me know. I couldn't get the days off work. ='(
  • 1 0
 Great NEWS!!!

2015 DH World Championship - Vallnord (Andorra)

Check on: www.facebook.com/pages/Cedric-Gracia
  • 1 0
 does anyone know the actual dates of the event, first 11-13 oct. now 5-7 oct.??? anyone please tell me.
  • 1 0
 Big balls will be burst after hitting that drop! F**k me sideways and call me sally! Toot toot, Bam!
  • 1 0
 It's time to find a new mountain for the next Rampage.If U cannot change the trail in Utah,why not find a new place to ride.
  • 1 0
 Aghhh, thats crazy, I was having trouble deciding where the drops landed to in the picture at the top.
  • 2 1
 Is it just me; or would it have been easier to sharpen those poles before they went up?
  • 16 0
 There is a ban on making things easier within a 10 mile radius of the rampage site...
  • 1 3
 imagine that sharp end falling down on someone, very dangerous
  • 2 0
 You must have big balls if you're looking at at drop that's at least 40ft high with a 30ft gap and your first safety concern is that a pointy stick might fall on someone Razz
  • 1 0
 I don't think it'd matter if they were sharp or not coming from that point of view...
  • 3 0
 Have we gone insane?!
  • 1 0
 years ago i used to think i might have had the balls required to be a pro. now i know i never did...
  • 1 0
 Looking at the 2nd photograph you can see that the big line could be dirt to dirt.
  • 1 0
 The organizers should be asking the riders to design any features, while they are at it, have them judge too.
  • 2 0
 Next years landing they will incorporate a trampoline into the landing.
  • 2 0
 "varying degrees of heart-stopping possibilities" -that's death isn't it?
  • 1 1
 It looks like they will keep increasing the size of the jumps til the point where riders will have to use parachutes, in the case they need to bail.
  • 2 0
 Holy shit..
  • 2 1
 Another sleepless night for people in EuropeWink
  • 1 0
 Cant wait! More fotos please Smile
  • 1 0
 Going big was never an "option".
  • 1 0
 OSHA would have a field day woth this
  • 3 3
 Kiril Benderoni it will jump into the plane, for him to drop such a height just a warm up)))) xD
  • 2 1
 And he will be on a hardtail.
  • 2 2
 no
  • 1 1
 Just build the f*cking Crankworx set up on the ridges. What happend to some shovels a pick and imagination?
  • 1 0
 Looks awesome !!! not a big fan of using big machines thou !!!
  • 1 0
 Man that drop looks so gnarly it's insane
  • 1 0
 Parachutes should be added to the safty gear list! :O
  • 1 0
 people are gona get murked off that top drop, thing is massive.........
  • 1 0
 IM GLAD IM GOING!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!.
  • 1 0
 Pilgrim's gonna flip the top drop on his Majesty. Totally called it.
  • 1 0
 OMG I CAN'T SEE THE LANDING
  • 3 1
 Norbs got robbed.
  • 1 0
 Watch Pilgrim backflip the big one!
  • 1 0
 Vai, means wow in Bulgarian Big Grin
  • 1 1
 One day this canyon will become a full slopestyle area without natural cliffs. Not cool. But still awesome
  • 1 0
 this looks nothing like the original winning design !
  • 1 0
 ITS THE FINAL COUNTDOOOWN
  • 1 0
 $20 says nobody hits the massive drop
  • 1 0
 New slogan at Oakley- separate the men from the boys
  • 1 0
 well.. someones going to die
  • 1 0
 how big is the biggest drop
  • 1 0
 Lets se witch bike will snap in that massive huge satan's drop xD
  • 1 0
 "massive piece of machinery" hahaha
  • 1 0
 Now that's a drop for big boys!
  • 1 0
 booom massive drop>>>> Its gonna be fun Smile ))
  • 1 0
 Some serious BRAAPPin' off that. Can't wait
  • 1 0
 How effing high is that main drop ? Josh bender kinda shit...
  • 1 0
 5 options and only 1 line!! Big drop wins!
  • 1 0
 May aswell set up a Moto kicker on the run out. Whips only.
  • 1 0
 People! Ladders are not slope style. They are 100% freeride so Shut it!
  • 1 0
 dosint look as cool as the old one but still is a masive drop
  • 1 0
 That guy with chainsaw in the last photo!!! I want that as a wallpaper...
  • 2 0
 Hucking! yes please
  • 2 0
 That's what she said..
  • 1 0
 da f*ck!? it looks huge!!
  • 1 0
 totally madnesss!! But love it!
  • 2 1
 Looks like a Vancouver construction site....
  • 2 0
 FUCK!
  • 1 1
 It's getting more man made every year ...much prefer the natural approach ... Tarmac or block paving next year?
  • 1 0
 What DemoB said, agree totally!
  • 1 0
 Another great picc of CS safety great work pink-bike
  • 1 0
 dat one is fxin sick
  • 1 0
 The Two Headed Snake!!!
  • 1 0
 SUPER Smile
  • 2 2
 SlopeStyle or Big Mountain event?
  • 2 2
 This is almost as cool as watching some UCI downhill racing...almost
  • 1 3
 You mean the bore fest that have ruined long travel bikes?
  • 1 1
 What happened to the render the sender contest
  • 1 0
 LOUD NOISES!!!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 Super Nice Big Grin
  • 1 0
 That top one goes....
  • 1 0
 Killer Stuff, Good Luck!
  • 3 0
 Hopefully not literally
  • 1 0
 11-13 October
  • 1 1
 Damn big girl drop is a big girl
  • 2 2
 I thought this was a freeride contest That's a lot of ramps
  • 1 0
 No risk no reward
  • 1 0
 That is just sick!
  • 1 0
 wow wtf .
  • 1 1
 It looks cheap to me
  • 1 0
 thats what i thought ..... really cheap
  • 2 4
 allowing each rider to choose which best suits his abilities and intestinal fortitude !!!!!!. What a load of bullsh-t !!!!!
  • 1 3
 OK lets face it, Seminuk is the only one who is going to hit the big one, maby Bearclaw.
  • 2 3
 RAMP-RAGE! This is not free riding! Its Progressive slope style!
  • 3 6
 What's the point? If Norbs sends a 360 there, he will get robbed anyway!!!
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