IRIDEFORPAUL - Paul Basagoitia Fundraiser

Oct 20, 2015
by Scott Secco  


#IRIDEFORPAUL



In 2004 a 17 year old from Nevada won the second mountain bike contest he’d ever competed in: Crankworx Slopestyle. Unknown and unsponsored, Paul Basagoitia borrowed Cam Zink’s bike and nailed an instantly iconic run with a backflip on to tailwhip off the final feature to take the win. He beat out heavyweights like John Cowan and Timo Pritzel - the result earned him a factory sponsorship with Kona and eventually a coveted Red Bull helmet. Bas has spent the last decade starring in legendary video segments - his NWD 6 ender is a true classic - and scoring numerous contest podiums. Lately, he’s moved away from slopestyle to focus more on riding in web videos and running his own filmmaking business.

To most readers on Pinkbike, Bas is a superhero: the man who stomped the first 720 in a movie and changed the way slopestyle runs are ridden. Bas’s riding progressed the sport and inspired a generation of athletes. At events he’s an affable, easygoing presence. He always makes times for kids and anyone else who wants to connect. He’s a genuinely nice guy, friendly and kind. On Friday, October 16, Bas suffered a severe injury at the Red Bull Rampage. He fractured the T12 vertebrae in his spine and was airlifted out of the event site. He was put in the Intensive Care Unit at a local hospital and underwent a gruelling nine hour surgery. Bas is one of the toughest and most competitive guys out there, and if he treats rehab like he treats contest runs, then there’ll be no stopping him. For years he’s inspired our family of mountain bikers here on Pinkbike, please support Bas and his family in their time of need.

Paul Bas dropping into his picturesque berm and his run was looking on fire.

Update: Oct, 19th, 2015 from girlfriend Nichole Munk, “His chest tube that was put in to assist with access to his spine during surgery was removed today and he is such a fighter that he is already looking forward to rehab! This is all new territory for us and we are flooded with information right now, but he will beat this! Thank you to all the riders, sponsors, friends and people involved with the event that have shared their support”.



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Author Info:
scottsecco avatar

Member since Sep 18, 2009
1,028 articles

290 Comments
  • 306 6
 God bless this man, and wish him a speedy recovery. He is a true legend and has progressed this sport astronomically. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. #prayforPaulBas #IRIDEFORPAUL
  • 21 0
 We love you Paul
  • 20 1
 Love you dude! Your run was gonna be wicked!
  • 94 7
 It's f*cked up how (to my knowledge) redbull and his sponsors didn't pay off his medical bills and just left him to turn to the public to raise money for his treatment. Should never be like this but glad you are on a great track to recovery Paul!
  • 198 4
 I had a 157.63 dollars in the bank. No have 3. I don't think I need it as much as he does.
  • 63 3
 I know this question might be out of line, I don't mean any offence. But before I throw a tenner Paul's way, can I confirm that RB will NOT be paying for any of Paul's bills? Because if the support received from the public covers the bills in a few days, RB will consider it case closed, and pay sweet nothing. And I'd much rather RB cough up the cash than us.
  • 13 0
 No, it's pretty well known riders have to provide their own insurance
  • 21 3
 Its a bit early to say Red Bull won't step up. They have done a lot of good so hopefully they'll do some more this time. The need for public funding is more of a statement on the messed up U.S. healthcare system than anything else. So far every update has been positive, here's to a full recovery Paul B! Can't wait to see you out shredding again!
  • 31 1
 I don't want to be "that" guy but, if Redbull doesn't support the the participants and the insurance policy doesn't cover all the risks, why participate in first place?
I know some will say "no guts, no glory" and all that jazz but think about it. Some of these people have wife and kids. Most ride for a living. Is it worthy to go all in in one single event?

Shame on Redbull though, these people are their bread and butter.
  • 17 5
 You guys over there do the praying part, then I over here do the #IRIDEFORPAUL part, okay? Money on its way!
  • 5 0
 I think Redbull sorted out Dan Atherton when he wasn't a Redbull athlete didn't they?
  • 2 1
 Donated some cash - all the best Paul
  • 2 1
 #IdonatedforPaul Praying for you bud, get well soon.
  • 3 0
 So do the donations go directly to help Paul? .... Doesn't look like it
  • 1 0
 get well soon, you got this one!!!!
  • 1 0
 Do anyone know how can I sen some money if I dont have bank account in dollars?;/
  • 17 2
 If you're mad at Redbull, don't watch the event. The reason so many participate despite the risks is not out of some kind of loyalty to Redbull, but because it's the biggest, most-watched event of the year. Pros don't get most of their support from event organizers and prize money, they get it from sponsors, who they represent and promote at events. If Ratty got hurt at a WC race, you'd expect Santa Cruz to take care of him, not the race organizer, right?
  • 5 1
 That's how it works now - funnel the energy into a fundraiser - if you really think about it we're all responsible for helping eachother out. We watch the events - we sit in our homes or cheer on the sidelines and feed their adrenaline rush. If we all help - just a little bit - it makes a huge difference. There's so many people who have the means to help and so many of us who can at least put in what we can. Redbull hosted the event - the riders give their all - we watch in awe. Blame no one other than yourself and what you will or won't do in this moment of self sacrifice. #Irideforpaul
  • 4 2
 Will Red Bull Donate some Dollars too for respect?
  • 12 0
 I met Paul at an event here in the UK some years ago - MBUK KONA Slopestyle competition at Glentress bike park, Scotland

I went as a competitor, and was there for 2 days - day 1 was final qualification, and day 2 was the finals.

ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb834040/p4pb834040.jpg

I found Paul to be a very friendly guy and very supportive to all the riders at the event. Paul and Grant Fielder (Kona Klump) were judging the action along with the guys from MBUK magazine. Paul liked what I was doing with my riding, and put me through to the finals as a wildcard.

I did not win the event, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and getting to spend time chatting with Paul and Grant.

Its sad to see that Paul got injured at the latest Rampage event, but I understand how thin the line is when riding these massive stunts with huge exposure. It does not take much for it to go horribly wrong.

I rode for Devinci, then Banshee Bikes and Da Kine as a Pro freerider for several years, and thoroughly enjoyed all the travelling, riding, filming and sending stunts, but took a decision eventually that it was not worth the risk for the meagre rewards on offer. It was hard to make any kind of living, I paid for accident insurance, but still never felt 100% comfortable, which is probably a good thing.

Unless you've literally risked your life sending huge stunts, its hard to understand why a rider would do this. Its a huge buzz but the result of it going wrong can be catastrophic. I was searching out mining quarries to find the biggest hucks, and building timber / dirt stunts...it was getting huge, the 2015 Rampage shows that progression and its insane!

I sincerely hope Paul B makes a good recovery from his injury, and enjoys getting dirt under his wheels in the near future. A call for all his sponsors and supporters to do everything they can to assist him in this difficult time.

Rob C
London, England
  • 4 0
 Please all Pinkbike members visit:

www.road2recovery.com/cause-view/irideforpaul

its really easy to make a donation using PayPal and leave some comments for Paul to read
  • 4 1
 @Treze I remember people saying the exact same "shame on Red Bull" last year after some guy got terribly hurt (can't remember who it was). The same public reaction, the same Red Bull inaction, yet here we are in 2015 with people still watching the event, sponsors still sponsoring the event, bike sites still posting about and advertising the event.

Nothing will ever change if this is the case.
  • 2 0
 I think his sponsors should be more on the line than red bull to be completely honest. How about something more along the lines of #f*ckscottbikes. If we are looking for an escape goat. #rideforpaul
  • 3 0
 "When a good man is hurt, all who would be called good must suffer with him."
-Euripides
  • 3 1
 Shame on Scott BIkes they had two athletes go down from injury maybe they are the ones putting on the pressure. This Red Bull shaming is absolutely ridiculous! Lets not forget that the riders built most of their own lines.
  • 9 0
 I hate to play devils advocate but where were all the people shouting for the EWS to pay the family of the poor guy who lost his life earlier this year. Rampage you build your own lines, lines that you should be capable of riding. Paul built something that he was happy to ride, sadly something went wrong but I don't see how that is anyway Redbulls fault. All this about pressure from them to preform is nonsense, the pressure comes from trying to compete with other riders. If someone else is backfliping the canyon then you'll automatically want to do the same or better to beat them not because redbull want you too. If your going to have a pop at redbull then you need to have an equal one at Scott and all the riders sponsors as he's there promoting their brand. Anyone all this finger point detracts from the main focus which should be Pauls health and his hopefully fast and smooth recovery. As someone has has suffered an paralysing spinal injury I from the bottom of my heart wish you strength to make it through and all the luck that I can muster to make it non complete. Heal up dude you have the entire mountain bike community behind you.
  • 2 0
 Seen YT are auctioning off all the custom freaked they did for rampage to raise money for Paul. Good work YT Big Grin
  • 2 1
 Red Bull don't will help our Hero. What more do you know about RB to hate them?
  • 2 1
 Red Bull sucks
  • 1 2
 no major sports franchise pays for injuries.... its not there fault he is injured, yes its tragic but dont blame redbull.
  • 1 1
 It's terrible what happened and I feel like we should all support Paul. The thing I don't get is how so many extreme sports athletes don't have medical insurance themselves. Not so smart if you ask me. Hope this is a learning lesson for the other pro riders to insure themselves for medical bills. It's bad enough that you hurt yourself that bad, at least make sure your insurance got all your bills covered so you don't end up losing your house etc aswell
  • 1 0
 Do we know that he didn't have insurance? How could you compete in Rampage without it? If he wasn't covered, it can only be because it's an uninsurable event, surely?
  • 1 1
 Because of his medical bills: he wouldn't have those if he was insured. Americans and (medical) insurances don't go well together, as they try to safe money by not getting one.

Personally I'm no pro at all, but for €2 extra per month I also insured my medical costs specifically if I get injured while doing an extreme sport, because my standard medical insurance doesn't cover that. And it is totally worth it.
  • 1 0
 Even with insurance, something serious like that can be expensive. Characterizing all Americans as penny pinchers who would rather risk getting hurt at the expense of saving a few dollars makes you sound so fucking ignorant.In fact, you can be fined for not having it. Insurance is incredibly expensive in the states and some people can't afford the best coverage.
  • 1 1
 I have no idea how much it costs over there, but as a professional extreme sports athlete I can't image it not be worth it. Over here the average costs of staying in a hospital (not including surgery costs, just to stay there) are between €1,000 and €3,000 per day. I heard the hospital costs are about 6 times as expensive in the USA, so that would mean up to 21,000 US Dollars per night, surgery excluded. More serious surgeries can easily cost €30,000 over here. As a professional extreme sports athlete you know eventually these costs will come, probably even more. Even if the insurances are expensive over there, I doubt anyone could afford $63,000 to spend 3 days in the hospital. That will make you go bankrupted if you don't manage to set up a succesful fundraiser. In the USA that means you will also lose your house and no back up from the government to safe you, meaning you will also become homeless.

I know most Americans don't have health insurance I know quite some riders in the States, and what I constantly see stuff like "broke my leg, but won't go to the doctor to get a cast because it is too expensive." It's not an assumption I made, I based my view on those 40+ people I know in the USA.

I don't know the price of the insurance, so don't know if it's penny pinching, but as an extreme sports athlete you NEED to have a health insurance in my opinion.


PS: Don't get me wrong, I'm fully for fundraisers like these and we should definitely support them.
But it sucks for the riders having to need these fundraisers, and if you're not famous or don't have the right connections they will not cover your bills.
I just hope that other pro riders will seriously consider getting a decent health insurance.
  • 2 0
 my accident insurance used to cost me GBP£110 per month. They would not cover existing injuries such as my right shoulder which had several seperations (dislocation) in the past. here in the UK all medical treatment is free at point of use, you can take private medical treatment if you so wish.

the insurance would provide a pay out for extended stay in hospital, and in long term for life changing injury such as spinal or head trauma leading to life long loss of earnings and living costs.

when travelling overseas, I would take out specific extreme sport insurance which covered freeride and downhill mountain biking. This would provide cover for all-country costs such as air ambulance extraction, accident & emergency costs and repatriation to my country.

expensive but highly recommended.
  • 1 3
 UK and USA are not directly comparable in that respect, because the reason health care in the UK is "free" at point of need is because we're getting our trousers taken down every month to pay for a maybe.

Americans have the luxury of choosing whether or not they want to take the risk on medical cover or not. With all that tax money they aren't paying, the lower cost of living and higher salaries for equivalent jobs, their pockets must be stuffed (in general)!
  • 5 0
 ^ Yeahhh none of that is true at all... Be thankful you don't have to be scared to go to the doctors.
  • 2 0
 HAHAHA. are you crazy, we still pay decent sized taxes, our money just isn't used efficiently and is wasted on shit we don't need or want. we don't have a low cost of living at all, maybe in some super rural or poor areas, but then they make much less money in those areas. the U.S. is no wonderland.
  • 3 0
 Not to mention the tens of millions being wasted covering the absurdly expensive medical bills low to middle-income people cannot afford. If you end up with a bad illness that requires constant medicine or say if you need invasive surgery, tough luck, your financial status is ruined forever. Our privatized healthcare is costing the economy much more than any universal/single-payer plan could possibly do. Let's not forget that we shovel out almost 100 million a year in corporate welfare alone...
  • 1 1
 The cost of living is lower in the USA than the UK, and taxes are lower. They are both facts. You can't argue with facts.
  • 3 0
 The thing is, income isnt as even in the US as it is in the UK. Yes our average is higher but our median and mode are muuuuuch lower. And the people who live in low cost housing also have VERY low incomes, well below poverty lines. Those people who pay low or no taxes also struggle to put food on their plates. So yes, while in some cases it can look like we have it all nice and dandy, it is very much the opposite
  • 1 1
 I'm not saying nice and dandy, not at all. I didn't mean any offence, especially not in this thread. I'm just making the point that the healthcare system in the UK is not a golden ticket for everyone. A healthy young person with a safe lifestyle and decent job would be better off keeping the money and not using the nhs... But they don't have the choice. Much like free schools are great if you have ten kids, free hospitals are great if you're an old hypochondriac. Free healthcare isn't free. And doctors get paid too much. No offence meant in all this mind.
  • 136 23
 I think people need to stop pointing the finger at Redbull. First off they cannot provide insurance and still run an event like rampage in its current form. They cannot allow riders complete freedom to build anything the want and ride it how they want unless the riders assume thier own risks. As soon a a third party assumes any liability that third party (wether it would be Redbull itself or an insurance co) would have a say in what lines get built and what riders do while riding those lines. And I don't think anyone would want the contest run that way.

Also, Redbull simply invites riders. This idea that riders are risking their lives for Redbull is ridiculous. No one is doing this for the benefit of a company that's not paying them. I agree that riders should be fairly compensated and provided adequate insurance but it's the riders individual sponsors that they are riding for and representing out there, and who gains the most from what they do. It's these companies that want thier riders getting the exposure Rampage provides. Some of the top competitors like Zink, Aggy, and Sorge are out there wearing the logos of Redbull's main competition. If there is any corporate sponsor pressure on these guys it's going to come from thier own individual sponsors not Redbull. It's these companies with direct financial investment in these guys. It's these companies that people should be looking to direct thier anger at. They are the ones who should be providing the travel money, insurance etc.
  • 36 7
 Red bull doesn't have to step up at all. They aren't even really assholes for not doing anything other than benefit from their event they promoted. That said, if they actually showed some compassion and humanity and did step up, I think we all would have more respect for the maker of the carbonated bull squirt.
  • 14 2
 I get what your saying. But they aren't short of cash. A 100k to red bull is nothing. Or even say we can give you physio help. The red bull hanger collection in Austria shows and makes you realise how much they earn and spend. But then on the flip side we wouldn't have these events with out energy drink sponsorship. We love people going big fast and wild. We all know in the moment we never think it will be life changing consequences. This feeling is proportional to the person. But hopefully he will reach his personal goal in getting better, whatever that is.
  • 22 1
 Red Bull cannot win- I bet you if they did turn round and announce that they will be supporting Paul, then some people out there would probably accuse them of using a tragic and severe accident to gain advertising for the company. RedBull's spinal research program and facilities are truly amazing and they are doing real things to prevent athletes from suffering this type of injury- they are doing more than a lot of companies that could be using their profits for similar ends. I hope they allow Paul to use their facilities and aid his recovery but I don't really believe people should be demanding they pay for everything. We as a group can help cover that- it's this community that makes MTB such an amazing sport.
  • 10 4
 @VwHarman RedBull has stepped many times before and look how much respect you got for them. It doesn't help one bit for them, because next time something like this happens, the expectations are even higher and it's gonna cause even worse image problems. Just imagine for instance the next injured athlete is black and the story that RedBull did pay for one but not the other. Then, the situation gets really f*cked up.
Also.. did you really just complain about a for-profit event-hosting company benefit from their event-hosting?
Sorry, but you must be some kind of retarded.
Never saw a promoter of a boxing competition pay the medical bills for their boxer either.. just saying.
  • 12 5
 Yep, we must recognize this business strategy is unbeatable, actually the wet dream of any entrepeneur: making the maximum profit taking a minimal risk. To take risks we invite some crazy guys to do the job and pay them peanuts, right?
Good for you Red bull, you're a genius.

But the f*cking truth is different, as always. It turns out that that job is highly dangerous (some crazy guys might very well die), and it turns out that we live in the twenty-first century and it's just INTOLERABLE that safety has been taken out of the equation, and it's just INTOLERABLE that in an event organized by one of the wealthiest corporations in the world every time an athlete suffers a serious injury his family has to borrow money to cover medical expenses.

So perhaps Red Bull needs to change his business strategy for once.
  • 23 0
 What's intolarable is, that in some first-world countries the lack of healthcare and social security system is causing families to borrow money in the twenty-first century - but this exhausting topic was discussed already to the full extent. To complain that safety has been taken out of the equation in a so-called extreme-sports event is just utterly ironic if not absurd. You can't put safety in extreme-sports without removing the extreme part. But of course it should be and to my knowledge it actually is mandatory to be insured against consequences of the risks to be taken before signing up for such an event. That is why I don't even understand the debate about RedBull to take responsibility for paying the bill in the first place. They same discussion was happening just a year ago on behalf of the same occasion. I said it then and I will say it now... the insurance companies are the ones to blame here as they get paid to cover exactly these costs in exactly these kind of situations, but still, they try everything to shake their responsibilities with legal force when struck people need them the most. What remains is the fact, that RedBull is a service provider for the riders... some of you just dont seem to grasp that. You are not forced to participate, but invited if you deserve to. That's all there is to it. I would surely appreciate RedBull to take over the medical bill, there is no question about it, but I understand that it makes for complications on their part.
  • 9 7
 There's some pressure on the riders to ride even when there are bad weather conditions. Red Bull makes a huge amount of money but totally doesn't care about the riders. In fact, it is really a mercyless, ultra-capitalist enterprise. A little bit like Las Vegas: all's a nice show, but don't look behind the fassade...
  • 11 4
 I don't even know what you are talking about... the riders are to decide for themselves whether they go for the drop-in or not. Nobody is forced to ride at any point in time... you could even listen to the live-radio messages. The event was even officially on hold for strong winds, but some guys like the legendary Claw decided to just go anyway and don't care about doing big tricks. To complain about the money RedBull is making is just out of place... besides they are also heavily invested in it. Also, for those of you that complain about the countdown... the 'countdown' only starts after the rider states his readiness and it's just a formality such that they can call it DNS and move on if the rider does not drop in. For everyone who watched it closely, that's just common sense.
  • 4 6
 @SlavIntruder 100% with you.
If RedBull "steps in" when people get hurt, it is only because they need to play nice to distract the audience.
They are the ones who push the extreme sports.
A company like RedBull can easily give 1 million to Paul. 1 million for them is like 5 dollars to us.
If you look how RedBull got to win in F1, then you understand better...
  • 7 2
 Obviously safety is not a friend of extreme sports (I got that), but I'm referring to another type of safety that has been "forgotten" at Rampage: as someone has already mentioned, a minimum of body protection must be mandatory and, what's most important, all riders must have an excellent insurance. If it's not possible to carry out this event without insurances covering any accident maybe rampage should disappear.
And yes, a company like Redbull (not the bakery in my neighborhood) cannot allow pro athletes "beg" for money to pay medical bills cause is intolerable. I know of no top-level sport where this shit is allowed.
  • 3 2
 sino428: "First off they cannot provide insurance and still run an event like rampage in its current form. They cannot allow riders complete freedom to build anything the want and ride it how they want unless the riders assume thier own risks."


And why should that be the case? Of course, Red Bull can pay for the insurance of all the riders taking part in the event, instead of the riders paying for insurance themselves.
  • 4 8
flag SlavIntruder (Oct 20, 2015 at 4:32) (Below Threshold)
 @Benito-Camelas
Sorry mate, but that's nonsense. Except for the helmet, there's no usefull protection in the Red Bull Rampage. These guys do so big jumps with so much speed that no protection will help you out in a crash. I'd rather stay more flexible than wearing this Leatt crap that makes no sense at all and reduces your moving ability.
  • 16 16
 I am an internationally recognised manufacturer of... Soft drinks (for example) and I am worth several $ Billion. My idea is to sponsor and set up a sports event in an extremely dangerous location to help promote my product. The winner will get a few $ Thousand and some sponsorship, not to mention international fame and credibility within their sport. I will invite sponsored and skilled sportsmen to participate knowing they will push the limits due to media, coverage and their sponsorship.
However, I will take no responsibility for any harm, serious injuries or fatalities to the sports persons I invite to the "extremely dangerous location" where I choose to host and promote my product/sports event. In addition I also get to choose what is covered and published in the media from my event.

100% Ethical?

#IRIDEFORPAUL
  • 7 11
flag SlavIntruder (Oct 20, 2015 at 4:45) (Below Threshold)
 @IRF80
you totally nailed it, buddy
  • 11 3
 www.pinkbike.com/news/pinkbike-poll-all-competitors-should-be-compensated-for-their-runs-at-the-red-bull-rampage.html

There was a poll in this very website 10 days before rampage and everyone agreed by a massive margin that:

+ 593
flag thrasher2 (Oct 2, 2015 at 0:07)
What if Redbull at least pays for a weekend of good insurance?

Now all you f*cking cutthroats are trying to void HELP from RedBull? it was them that pressures paul into sending the biggest step down we have ever seen this is very accurate Yep, we must recognize this business strategy is unbeatable, actually the wet dream of any entrepeneur: making the maximum profit taking a minimal risk. To take risks we invite some crazy guys to do the job and pay them peanuts, right? Good for you Redbull your a genius.

So I ask Whos behind the keyboard some paperpushing marketing rep from RedBull?

At least let him into your rehab headquarters and help the one rider that was yours and helped take your brand and the sport to the next level. Dont bitch out Redbull you piss that money in fuel and tires every F1 race. You should be ashamed.
  • 2 1
 Agreed. I RIDE FOR PAUL!
  • 8 20
flag Treze (Oct 20, 2015 at 6:17) (Below Threshold)
 @mazze "What's intolarable is, that in some first-world countries the lack of healthcare and social security system is causing families to borrow money in the twenty-first century..."

Look at your f*cking countries external policies before making stupid comments. The fat-nazi regime is destroying whole economies every single f*cking day. You german arrogant prick.
  • 5 2
 LOL at all the people saying they should have insurance... if redbull said that they would pay for medical bills then no one needs insurance because redbull could pay for it if someone got hurt, simple. Only 2 riders got in the finals on sunday got hurt, redbull is in the top 40 richest companies in the world and could easily afford it. They also could easily afford to pay their athletes that compete after all it is only an advertising campaign by redbull, they don't care what the event is they just want advertising at minimal cost, and they've got it with rampage.... and many other events as well. They designed a F1 car and raced it only to advertise after all. At the end of the day redbull doesn't give a shit about anyone because if they did they wouldn't sell redbull.
  • 8 2
 You guys are not helping the mountain bike industry, all you guys are screaming "we love getting bent over by RedBull."

While the riders are not properly compensated for the skill and the risk.

Any human being that can go down a rampage course is more athletically capable than a formula 1 driver, MX1, soccer player, football player, hockey, golf (lame) whatever.

It is the most underpaid sport on the planet and demanding less for your fellow riders is not helping.

Im willing to bet there is a shitty goal keeper or striker on the New york Red Bull's lineup that makes more money than Semenuk. say Thierry Henry.
  • 3 1
 @mazze I don't think I said they had to. In fact I said they didn't have to do anything. Just thought it would be cooler if they did. Profits are all well and good, but people are more important. Period. Doing the right thing won't take all the profits forever, and it just may help develop some consumer loyalty for the brand. Also, ease up on the retard stuff. Comments like that are why pinkbike message boards get a rep for being populated by 13 year old boys. Grow up.
  • 2 0
 @maize how is the bull "heavily invested" in mtb? Because they create content for their websites and tv app? They don't actually make anything that a rider needs to ride, yet they are heavily invested? They are heavily profiting from their investments. That's great! But if the public is growing tired, maybe they need to change their practice. Also, I just read @treze comment to you. Ignore that dude. We may not agree on this topic, but those comments are offside. What a fool.
  • 2 1
 @FuzzyL - why don't you finish reading my comment as I already explained it. I did not say Redbull could not insure the entire event, I'm sure they could. I said they could not insure it in its CURRENT FORM. As I said, riders in Rampage are allowed to build whatever lines they want and ride those lines however they want, do whatever tricks they want. The reason they are allowed to do that is because they are assuming their own risks. Once Redbull or another third party were to insure the entire event they would have control over the risks. They would have the power to tell a rider that their drop is to big, that their line is too steep, that they can't flip off a certain jump, etc. The could mandate all kinds of safety gear and body armor. The freedom of the riders to do what they want would be gone. And without that you essentially wouldn't no longer have Rampage as it is now.
  • 3 2
 @IRF80 - The problem is you just described the entire structure/model for all action sports, not just Rampage. That's just how it works. These sports are dangerous and no event promoter is going to full responsibility for the risks these athletes take. Its just too dangerous. There really isn't mush other option. Its either the way it is now or there are no events.
  • 4 1
 I can not upvote this enough, everyone wants a scapegoat or someone to blame and direct their anger at. Red Bull is not to blame, and it would be great if they stepped up and helped with financial support but it's not their responsibility. The individual rider sponsors have just as much to gain if not more off these guys risking their lives, hopefully they can help as well but it's a dangerous sport with huge consequences and unfortunately Paul is dealing with that now. Get well soon buddy, thoughts are with ya
  • 2 3
 @ihatetomatoes
what are you talking about? noone is searching for a scapegoat here, at least the sane majority. Don't make Red Bull the poor latino illegal of sports event managment. Fact is, that the RB Rampage is a insanely dangerous event, so it is time to think about some responsibilities that everyone - riders, organisators and sponsors - has. The riders should be insured, but the sponsor should also contribute to the riders treatment. Btw Red Bull has all in all a bad reputation in every sports they entered in.
  • 3 1
 I think that red bull aren't responsible. They provide a means that's all. We all love it. Plus if anything is decided between red bull and Paul. It's not for is to know. We don't tell everyone our business. Then they can't be talked about for playing the niceguy (marketing).
The physio is the important thing for him now I guess.
But truth is these guys send big stuff for red bull or not. It's what they do. They don't just think sod it red bull is here lets hit massive jumps. It's all calculated. But the tragic thing is the calc went wrong this time.
  • 10 1
 irrelevant to the banter and bickering... let me just say this: i've been personally involved with organizing drifting events in the US, from about 2003 to about 2008. even grassroots - bullshit nothing drift events, with no prizes and total amateurs, carry multi-million dollar insurance policies for the event. to my knowledge on the East Coast... nothing catastrophic has ever really happened at all. these policies... while kind of expensive for a nothing organization with no sponsors (at say $10,000 for a day/weekend for a $6 million policy), are still cheap as shit in the grand scheme. these are 2500lb. pieces of metal being flung sideways at 80-90mph towards walls and other cars, with stipulations like... wear a helmet. have a rollcage. EMS needs to be present. closed toe'd shoes. now let's say some risk assessment number cruncher somewhere had to work up the cost-risk policy for Rampage in comparison... even if Red Bull had to fork over 10x that much... is $100k that much money for a global organization with that kind of revenue?

ignore the marketing exposure and revenue for a second with F1 compared to MTB'ing. its not even close to being even comparable... just consider the $500 million a year that it costs to run one of the top programs... what is $100k? you figure that every year at Rampage until this incident, there was nothing majorly serious... a few routine bone breaks each time around. how much could a blanket health policy possibly cost them. its not about assigning blame or pointing fingers, it just needs to be looked at, as a mutually beneficial relationship...

without riders or mountain climbers or space jumpers or pilots or snowboard lunatics or motorsport nuts... Red Bull doesn't have its zest or presence. without Red Bull... all those people have exponentially less avenues to try to make a living out of their extreme sport passion. they both need each other. they both should look out for each other using the different types of support from either side to the singular common goal and end product.
  • 3 0
 @sweatpants nailed it bud. Mutually beneficial in the long run!
  • 2 4
 @VwHarman you are absolutely right about my language, so my apologies for that. It's just that I read the first half of your comment as pure cynicysm and therefore interpreted your opinion as if you see a mandatory or compulsive duty for RB to step in, which I felt was a retarded statement.
By heavily invested I meant organizing the event and paying for building, camera crews, helicopters, security, afterparty, prizemoney, first aid and medical crew and so on... It's only logical that they wouldn't do that if there wasn't to gain some benefit from it.
To @Treze ... yeah well, someone playing the nazi card on Germany over the internet, guess that is something I've never seen before... lol.
He just made a fool of himself proving that he is mentally challenged by writing a purely insulting and racist comment, rather than making any point... so why would I take him seriously. It's just kinda painful to see his opinion on Germany, the country that just mainly helped to refurbish their economy and that is pretty much the only grip to hold on at the edge of an abyss.
@Sweatypants your last paragraph is precisely what I wanted to underline in the first place, when I said that RB is something like a service provider for the extreme athletes, just couldn't find as good of words I guess. Now I'm really tired of this topic :p
Still, all the best to Paul Bas!
  • 2 0
 @mazze My thoughts exactly.
  • 1 0
 Everyone needs to stop being such pathetic finger pointers, it is really a sign of the future where we need to protect the youth from themselves. Imagine if there was this sort of reaction towards the MLB, NHL, NFL, CFL...every time a player was injured.
  • 1 0
 So should Redbull just cut Paul a cheque now? How much? $10 000? $20 000? $100 000? Maybe they won't give him a cent, or maybe they are waiting for the dust to settle to see what kind help he may need.
  • 2 9
flag Treze (Oct 21, 2015 at 4:28) (Below Threshold)
 Fuck you mazze. You german ignorant prick.
  • 2 0
 @Treze
Come on dude, calm down. I actually live at the border to germany and I am often over there in the bikeparks and you should not play the Nazi card that easy. You can find fascist and other retarded folks in every country, even in Portugal.
  • 2 11
flag Treze (Oct 21, 2015 at 5:12) (Below Threshold)
 Ladies and gents, meet mazze (the raging nazi in the closet):

"Whats your problem you f*cking little dickhead?
You don't know shit about me and you're obviously an uneducated peace of shit.
So better shut the f*ck up.

I stated objective criticism on the american healthcare system that anybody with a brain no matter what nationality absolutely supports and you start insulting me for being german?
You are the nazi bitch, not me.

Besides, you should be thankful for the help you got after the financial crises, when your country went down the drain. Without germany you would be f*cked right now. That has nothing to with arrogance, it's a fact."

Living in a blissful lie, even if the facts tell otherwise...
  • 2 2
 Hahaha 'even' in Portugal is funny.. he is obviously fascist against Germany and this even without stating a documented reason.
I had no argument at all with this guy and he starts insulting me for my nationality?
This guy should be banned.
Can't believe his comments aren't even below threshold.
  • 1 0
 We all know that even amateur racers have an overhauled health insurance all im saying is that Redbull should definitely think outside the box.
  • 3 0
 @messmyth

The NFL has payed retired players in the past for brain injuries and still does to this day so STFU

(CNN)A federal judge has given final approval to a class-action lawsuit settlement between the National Football League and thousands of former players, the league said.

The agreement provides up to $5 million per retired player for serious medical conditions associated with repeated head trauma.

While the lawsuit was a combination of hundreds of actions brought by more than 5,000 ex-NFL players, the settlement applies to all players who retired on or before July 7, 2014, according to Judge Anita Brody's 132-page decision.

It also applies to the family members of players who died before that date.

edition.cnn.com/2015/04/22/us/nfl-concussion-lawsuit-settlement
  • 16 1
 seems to be lots of people the really don't understand how sponsorship or athletes or the way events work getting bent out of shape blaming red bull or pauls sponsors for this. so for perspective, from someone that actually has experience of this area.

1. THE ATHLETE- . At some point a kid decides he/s she wants to be a pro athlete in their chosen sport, they compete at local/regional or national level and get noticed/win. they are offered a sponsorship deal. this can then grow to be several sponsors and may or may not include money, that's up to the athlete to decide if they're happy with their reward. I see way too many kids desperate to "get sponsored" when they have actually got no idea what's involved or expected. no one is forcing them to do anything, ( i say that, but i've seen more parents pushing kids to do stuff than brand or team managers)

2. THE BRAND. Brands usually have 3 or more tiers of athlete, 1- national level, this athletes are noticed at grass roots level and are offered a deal by the distributor/ agent of that country, the athlete is not actually backed by the brand as such, but by the local reps for the brand, the athlete is not on the books of the brand itself((usually).
Tier 2 is international/ european team. The athlete is now "on the brands books", they are managed by a team manager who knows whats what and has been in the industry for some time, commonly an ex pro themselves. The athlete is now receiving a salary for their work, its a job.. travel allowance/ kit budgets etc on the table too.
Tier 3- The global team, the cream of the crop rise to this level, they are looked after by head office and the global team manager, receive a higher salary as well as other perks.

Having looked after athletes on their 2 and 3 for more than one brand I can honestly say that at no point has the athlete had medical insurance provided by the brand. However I always made a point of discussing insurance with each athlete and made sure they had coverage suitable for what they were doing. This was also taken into account when it came to renegotiate the package.

( small point to throw in here. you cannot insure a car with several different companies, i.e. have more than one policy on a car, some of the folk on here saying the brand should insure the rider,, what if the rider is backed by several brands, who should pay the insurance? if the athlete were to have more than one policy covering the same thing then it opens a whole tin of worms.)

3 THE EVENT. Putting on events costs money, it's usually taken from the annual marketing budget. For an event to get the green light (not sure about the US but in europe) the event has to provide 3rd party liability insurance, this basically covers spectators getting hurt, its bloody expensive.... for an event to cover the insurance costs of every athlete involved would cost so much that for most brands the event wouldn't even happen, and i'm not talking small brands either. A competition is just that, prizes are awarded for the top places and that's it, some sports cover lower down the rankings but it's not the given. athletes are not forced to enter, or to do anything they don't want to, as was proven at this rampage when riders refused to do their second runs. Not all the events you see are put on by the brand HQ, in a lot of cases it's the regional distributor for that brand and the HQ actually has nothing to do with it as such..

As has been said on here already, red bull do actually invest a bucket load of money in rio research etc. the media house is the arm that makes the money, and they put back into action sports more than most on here realise.. an example of the top of my head is travis rices art of flight snowboard film, that film moved the action sports cinematography to the next level,, who do you think funded that? it certainly wasn't quik or DC....it was red bull.....

It is upto the athlete to make sure they have adequate insurance to cover the activities they participate in, it is upto the athlete or athletes manager to negotiate a package with the brand that allows them to be able to financially do that....

sorry for the long winded post...
  • 3 0
 @ad15 I think EVERYONE should read your most recent post. Very informative, glad you posted it!
  • 2 4
 the INVITE is a hiring clause in any contract. Red Bull pays them for riding by giving out cash prizes and they are forever saying and implying go big or fuk off and die.
  • 4 1
 @madmon that totally depends which country you are in and how the law interprets "invite", I'm not 100% clear on US law so am not comfortable to offer an opinion on that....are you?

you say"red bull pays them for riding", they don't, there are "prizes" for podium positions and maybe a bit further down, but no one is "paid" that's part of what's rubbing folk on here up the wrong way...

INVITE is not a hiring clause, not outside the US anyway....
  • 2 2
 Pink bike forums aren't the place for this kind of xenophobic hatred, calm down get a beer or go out for a ride.
  • 2 0
 a great discussion on the best bike site I think it is relevant.
  • 3 0
 Rampage, compensation, insurance, and Paul's unfortunate injury (not to mention all of the other riders injured) are without a doubt, the most-discussed subjects I have ever seen on Pinkbike. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and that's great, but it would be nice to hear from people who are actually involved... i.e. the athletes. I'm sure Pinkbike is working on an article that addresses this, but if they're not, they should be.
  • 1 0
 @konabigshed no xenophobic hatred from me... only throwing in some perspective from experience....
  • 66 2
 [Edited] Hi everyone, the donation page is back online. Every bit of support helps!
  • 8 5
 Akk.. I hope they get it sorted quickly so donations aren't lost.. I got one in early.. #IdonatedforPaul
  • 5 1
 He can feel and move his legs?
  • 4 0
 Link is not working.
  • 44 6
 Paul is american and U.S. is spending trillions on wars it creates itself around the world (not even in its borders) not paying enough to the veterans and their families who has lost even more than Paul has (legs, hands, paralised, MIA, ...) every soldier is as precious and hard working and loved as Paul is, now you guys are blaming an Austrian company which promotes extreme sports (not war) and at the end will pay a huge chunck of this bill without making a big fuss about it. The problem is a f*cked up system of US that is not fully supporting its precious citizens. If he wasn't a US citizen then it was his country's problem not paying the bills, which they normally do (thats why Bizet, Vink and others went straight back home for operations). SO, if this competition was being held in Austria their healthcare would have done everything for a Non-Citizen without the need for redbull to pay for it or people's donations. So instead of #FRB you can start #f*ckAmericanSystem thing who doesnt care for any single person in america and in the world except its own rich. The more i spend time in this world the more i become aware that we are all manipulated dumb asses. Think about it people. Blame redbull if it cools you off but blame U.S. even more. @EeehhZink @WAKIdesigns back me up bro.
  • 7 1
 I am a tad confused as to why Paul Bas needs the money?? Don't get me wrong, its an awful thing to happen, and hope he recovers fully and riding ASAP, but don't americans have insurance to cover medical bills? Obviously being english we can crash all we want and get fixed for free, but I am just wondering what the donations are going towards? Also, the only place I've read about redbull not helping is from anti redbull activists on here, so I'll wait for an official word, and as @mb00033 says, redbull might just pay a big chunk of the bill at the end (I assume thats when a medical bill appears...after the treatment so they actually know how much to pay). Anyway, any info on the US health system is appreciated so I can understand the giving page...cheers
  • 3 2
 Wow! I envy you English people, because the Spanish health system is not for free (we have to pay taxes) and because I can't crash all I want. Only I can crash in my own country and in those ones which have bilateral social security agreements with Spain.
So If I were an English pro biker I could take part in Rampage with no fear of getting hurt because the british health system would cover me. Yeah, I certainly envy you.
  • 7 0
 @jack-t It's not quite that simple. I have several friends who have or are navigating the US insurance waters with major claims and the companies will at times actively seek to not pay for treatment covered under their plans. They find loopholes and exploit them, such as the specific doctor in a covered hospital is not in their network, so they won't pay for that $10,000+ treatment. Not all companies and plans are like this, though certainly some are.

Additionally, most plans that are reasonably affordable here have a high annual deductible. I'll be paying nearly $10,000 out of pocket for my daughter's broken arm and wife's surgery this year. That's quite a chunk, if I had to take weeks or months off work to care for them that would have meant no income, either. About 10 years ago my dad broke his neck in a car wreck and was in hospital for 3 months. You can bet he wasn't making a dime, yet they still had a mortgage to pay, food to buy, other bills. The socio-economic machine doesn't stop just because you can't pay your bills, it just eats you up. Check out how many people in this country have to declare bankruptcy because of a major hospital stay :/
  • 5 1
 That's the american dream ! Everyone for himself and God and Gun for us all ! In France social security (ie medical healthcare for everyone) take charges for this special cases and most of cases either.
  • 1 0
 That exactly it. Its a matter of actual coverage within the policies. Its rare if not non existent for a medical insurance policy to cover everything fully. Depending on the cost of the plans there are deductibles and co-insurance payments that the patient is responsible for up until a certain point. As someone else pointed out, for major injuries it would not be uncommon for someone to have to pay up to $10K in costs per year even with a pretty good insurance plan.
  • 2 0
 didn't the kid that had the accident have private health insurance or what's the problem? Social Security here in Mexico is a mess so having a Health Insurance from a Private company is a must, especially if one practices these type of sports. I have never paid a single dime due to any kind of accident. So my first thought is that it is similar in America, no Social Security, pay yourself a private one.
The kid not having Private Health Insurance is somehow unbearable to my mind.
  • 5 0
 Regardless of where has to pay for a accident like this, at least the pain, the crippled body or the disability is yours!

I broke my spinal column two times in a horrible DH-Crash and I'm lucky not to be paralised or dead (has now any problems from that accident and still ride DH). If you have weeks of time to think about it while laying arround at home in the sence of: what if... why I only did... why I made this horrible linechoice...why is that happend to me? This thoughts are a real punishment for yourself and you have to watch out not the get crazy about it.

Luckly my healt insurance covered all the costs and I got also my salary over this period (5 months) of not working. Health insurance in Switzerland is compulsatory. I'm happy with that, otherwise I would be ruined now and paying some years for this shit. If something happend like Pauls accident then you don't want to think about your economical problems when you already has serious health problems.

So I want to encourage you to take off a little of his heavy load and made a donation - I already made mine! Taking care of you is your own responsibility. If you do dangerous things so get an insurance, even when it costs a lot, it's worth the money!
  • 2 0
 I've been battling with my insurance company for years about my claim. I still get letters for thousands of dollars from Vancouver for a crash in 2013
  • 6 2
 Wow, a horrible argument comparing veteran benefits to this situation. Let me give you a real scenario that would play out if Paul was a service member: after his crash a line of duty investigation would have been initiated to determine if Paul used proper personal equipment, was of sound mind (not drunk or stoned), if he was officially on leave or pass to attend the event, and other circumstances related to safety and sanity. In this case he probably would have been in line of duty and would of had all of his medical bills paid for. Service members injured in combat go to a medical evaluation board where it is determined if he or she is unfit for duty. If found unfit for duty the service member is given a percentage that determines his or hers monthly check that will be distributed for the rest of his or hers life. On top of the check the service member receives tricare prime (gov health insurance) for him or herself and qualified dependents (spouse/children). It is by no means a perfect system but soldiers aren't left flapping in the wind. Yes, the VA is a messy beuracracy that is difficult to navigate but Soldiers are seen. Next time you should bite your tongue and not make apples and oranges out of rampage accidents and US service members. On a final semi related note: you obviously think the us military is an evil war mongering machine, but last time I checked Brittish Soldiers love it when we go to war and love shooting shit and blowing shit up as much as everyone in the fight.
  • 2 0
 Well written @calicol.

@simooo, i get ya. Getting Private Health insurance is one thing...getting a good one that will respond to you is the next step. What i've learned is that your agent has to be a relative or a person close to you that really cares to provide you a good service and has lots of of experience, there's lots of loopholes in the insurance world better have those loopholes work for you not against you.
  • 2 1
 @mb00033 you need to empty out your underwear drawer and pony up some cash for Paul B a mountain biker who used a bike not a GUN. He is a soldier of dirt not of blood. I wonder what you would do and how you would get insurance. After telling your rep that you are going to huck 360s off a cliff and see what insurance costs and even if anyone would grant it and I am not even talking about out of country insurers like over 3/4 of the riders.
The riders here are in a real hell and it is propagated by people who want more....and more and now like your hand puppet that dominates your every thought....ya you want INSTANT GNAR and CARNIAGE.

get a grip and pony up.
  • 4 1
 Wow... even after years of living in the states it still surprises me how people like @CaliCol defend their country's lust for war and the ever present "angst" of health-care.

I think the point mb00033 tried to make was that there is a government that can spend billions and billions for decades of war under the banner of helping an freeing people in foreign countries (no mater if they like to be freed or not) and the majority of people are backing this but when it comes to health care for their own every Cent spent is to much.

Seriously this is fu**ed up and hard to understand...
  • 2 2
 Hey keyboard worriers let me clarify somethings here,
@madmon there was nothing about insurance mate, read the paragraph again, its about the comparison of two pursuits, its about a job with high risk and not enough governmental support. I donated my bit before you where thinking "should i buy a 6 pack before 11 or donate for Paul".
How about istead of #iridefropaul ,that mister Secco has started, hang your bike to the wall and every time you thought "o'today i'll go out to ride for paul", lie flat on your back and do not move and not go out untill Paul DOES, eh? Hang this one to the wall too carved in metal #iwontrideuntilpauldoes
Now Sir @CaliCol, thankss for the info, certainly being a proud veteran or a proud friend of one, as you couldnt compare this situation out your bubble, it was just a very optimistic utopic healthcare for veterans brother. Offcourse US does these supports, it really depends on which states it is, u r in Cali, how about speaking from the stand point of an eastern states soldier. And hey, would that monthly pay check give him his mobility or arm and leg and happiness back??
AND there isn't any hatred aginst US army there, US army can go blow the shit out of the world, let them do it, no objections to that? Its made for that! A soldier is gonna enjoy and hate the war at any point just like any of these Bike Gladiators love and hate jumping off cliffs. Now if the US government, just like you, can't compare the two and support both, then its too bad for your country and the whole world gonna miss a hero whether in war or in sports, I'm not trying to degrade any of these veteran here.
Try pedaling with one foot and handling with one hand next time you ride and be thankful for ur health. Its all apples brother, its two people sent for the same risks to earn money aint it? Next time you better cut your fingers comparing any HUMAN to vegtables for making examples, humans are all the same either in fighting for a country or pushing the boundries of a sport for a country sir. Open up ur mind, smoke some dope and chill mate, at least its a free country, promoting and serving Freedom to the world, as @michibretz said:"no mater if they want to be freed or not".
  • 1 2
 Wow, all I can say is that michibretz is a moron for one reason and mb0033 is a moron for several others. Both are morons for assuming a lot about me.
  • 1 0
 Werent assuming bro, were telling you. Those were just the scenarios around it to make things clear, Its just words. Just remmeber #wewontrideuntilpauldoes
he is one important role in amercia's new freeride generation, another true veteran, get your government to pay for him, Peace mate. @CaliCol
  • 1 0
 i am in this with Paul since he ate dirt and ever since I have had trouble smiling. Yea man I'm in it with him in every way for the long run not like others who are concerned for a few days till the smoke clears. Everyone please stay on this crazy train and hold Pauls hand the next year and even a lot longer. Who knows what his prognosis will be and he needs our emotional and monetary help.
..@mb00033 ......sorry for robbing this train......feeling emo & not so proud to be a mountain biker right now
  • 2 1
 ...........right
  • 43 2
 No negativity. Just help a brother, fellow rider out. Get all the guys at the shop to skip one 6 pack and donate.
  • 26 0
 Hi Paul,

I posted this as a message on your FB page as well. I hope it helps.

One week after my 60th birthday I also broke my back dislocating T11/12,L1/2/3. It took me nearly four months to get out of rehab and ten to get onto a bike again. There are four things I would ask you to do Paul:

1. Watch a copy of Morris E. Goodman's "Miracle Man.' SNIOPS (sending the negative impulses of other people south) rules. Its never 'if' but 'when.'

2. Not to set any objectives, just be the very best you can be right now. This second, this minute then you'll never suffer disappointment of not meeting an objective.

3. Should any sign of depression start to creep in you must react immediately by seeding your mind with the positive. i.e. That's a great colour white in the wall, the guy's shirt looks cool, the nurse's legs are amazing, etc. The dark clouds will disappear but it takes concentrated work as its too easy to slip into the pit of self-sympathy.

4. Realise that the only person unequivocally caring about your welfare is yourself.

These worked for me and at 71 I'm still enjoying the thrill of descending a technical hill.

Take care,

Storm Ferguson
Durban, South Africa
  • 3 0
 very productive post, i hope it will help
  • 3 0
 This should be the top comment!
  • 30 2
 I'm so glad he's feeling a bit of his legs now. Heal up, Paul! Thanks for the link, Scott.
  • 39 11
 #prayforPaulBas
  • 10 8
 Amen and amen!!!
  • 15 5
 #sendgoodvibestopaulbas
  • 17 27
flag paulclarke (Oct 19, 2015 at 21:46) (Below Threshold)
 no amen
  • 29 10
 I have to ask, why f*ck Rampage? I get This is tragic but why all the hatred towards the event all of a sudden ? BTW I want to support Paul too. I just don't get where the f rampage aND hate from Zink came from
  • 9 4
 Yeah man, really don't get it. Literally no one thinks rampage is safe in the first place, kind of an understood risk. Maybe from the point of view that it's part of the FMB series? i really don't know
  • 69 27
 1) Shitty prize money for potential big exposure and big risks for riders.
2) Red Bull told the broardcasters to broardcast that he was ok, when he really wasnt.
3) Red Bull provide no event insurance for the riders.
4) Red Bull have not yet said they will be supporting Paul though his recovery.
5) Red Bull pressures riders to drop in when the wind is dangers simply to save money on helicopters and running the live feed as well as to keep the fans happy.

Thats why #f*ckrampage
  • 39 1
 Cam is a close friend of Paul's and I don't think it would be unreasonable to say emotions were running high when that post was made. Add in the fact that Zink was (IMO) underscored at Rampage and you can see where the post came from.
  • 16 2
 Why now, look We all respect Paul and want him to recover 100 % but we all knew that an injury like this was bound to happen. The fact this event made 10 season without this kind of injury is a testament to the skill of the riders. Freak accidents do happen on the road, do we ban drving. What about the average person who rides trail and gets hurt. Do we stop riding? We all respect Paul Bas, but this injury is to fresh to make decisions like that. Just ride for Paul, donate some money. Get involved
  • 7 4
 @hoolydooly This seems more like f*ck Red Bull not Rampage.
  • 30 9
 I'm a teacher. Not very extreme. If I get my arm mangled in the copy machine my school district will pay ALL of my bills through insurance. I wish my district had the money that Redbull does...
We did know that this would happen eventually, and probably worse, however Redbull is owned by a billionaire who owns a private island and a submarine worth more than a billion dollars (among other outrageous things). The company makes this much money because they sell their cheap, over-caffeinated, soda at crazy premium prices to kids and young people who have bought into the marketing that Redbull gets because athletes put their LIVES on the line.
I repeat. Redbull is making BILLIONS of dollars because people like Paul are willing to put their lives on the line for their sport. Redbull can certainly afford to help out the people that get hurt helping them, even if the extreme athletes had fun in the process.
  • 9 1
 While there is no doubt that the Rampage format is in need of a major overhaul, lets not suddenly forget everything Red Bull has done to promote mountain biking (live coverage of every premier event for free). The writing has been on the wall for a few years now and we all knew something like this would inevitably eventually happen, but we all watched anyway. Let's hope that Paul kicks this injury's ass and has a full recovery, and this whole incident turns out to be a reality check that brings some much needed change to Rampage before something even worse happens to one of the riders.
  • 11 1
 I know I live in another country but I find it crazy that he has to pay for all hospital bills. That must be crazy to have to deal with on top of a serious injury.
  • 8 0
 I think that this page is for positive thoughts, not negative ones. Riders know how to fight their own battles. All I care about is that the riders know how much we are here to back them in a time of need. We have all had injuries, and we all know how much family and friends can help. Get better Paul, we are all cheering for you. On another note, that was the most massive gnarly drop I have ever seen. #IRIDEFORPAUL
  • 2 0
 As part of being sponsored by a company there is always a two-sided agreement in the contract. Somehow, I feel like RedBull isn't exactly fulfilling their side of the contract here at all. Sorry, but free hats and drinks isn't going to do much good here RedBull! You can't push a rider to perform at their best without giving them full support, which is the exact opposite of what they appear to be doing.
  • 11 1
 I honestly don't get where the whole 'f*ck redbull' and they aren't going to help out has come from?!
The founder of redbull was instrumental in setting up Wings For Life who's mission is to find a cure for spinal cord injuries. You'd have to be pretty dumb to think that a firm who are so closely tied to spinal cord research wouldn't help someone who has suffered a spinal injury at one of the headline events.
Poor old Paul will only just be recovering from the surgery and it takes a while for the extend of any damage to the spinal cord to be assessed. I know I've been there! I'm sure once he's been properly assessed then redbull/wings for life will be the first to help him on the long road to recovery.
People need to chill out and stop slating redbull when they have no idea what's going on.
  • 4 1
 @regdunlop38 sorry bahd, red bull promotes red bull. Period. They use various extreme sports and music festivals to do so. If mtb suddenly didn't fit their target demographic they would dump it in a hot second.
  • 1 0
 @hoolydooly you'll still watch it next year though...
  • 1 0
 @shakeyakey I think the biggest thing here is that this isn't the first time this has happened. I really respect what you said, but other athletes (namely Mark Matthews) have been injured pretty bad trying to put on a show at Rampage, and are thousands in debt because of it. Is it their fault for taking the risk? Aboslutely. But I feel with the near obligation that RedBull puts on their competitors to progress the sport and put on a show, there has to be some sort of compensation for their efforts besides the one who can huck their meat off the biggest cliff.
  • 1 0
 @jack-t, i didnt watch the broardcast this year, i haven't even looked at the photo epics or just the tip episodes. I've seen a couple of runs and a couple of the big crashes so i know what everyone is talking about and thats it. I have no desire to watch it.
  • 1 0
 @hoolydooly so basically watch the event for the winning run and all the crashes?
  • 1 0
 Funny how all the hate came from the man who pushed the limits most and set world records at the very same event. Hashtag bitethehandthatfeedsmuch?
  • 1 0
 It all started with go for it fools like my friend Bender who was a judge this year. I wonder what Josh';s thoughts are on this.
Backin the day they knew there was no reward only pain but it was limited. Now we all want unlimited more and it is NOT in the tank. Quicker access and more signal, higher resolution and unbridled pain and carnage. That is what Zink said so eloquently and if you don't get it I feel sorry for you.
Maybe it takes Cam Zink who is one of a handful of riders who could drop the line he dug to step up like a man and speak the truth and it may end his career as a sponsored rider. No one here would dare drop in after looking down and calculate the risks of Zinks line not even for $100,000.00. There are a few who would who are dreaming of grandeur and the riches that follow the number 1 rider in the world. Now compare those riches and rewards to other number 1s in their fields like Tiger Woods or an F1 driver who both are Red Bull employees either direct or through a sponsorship that drives the pain and sorrow.

I'm sending Paul my money knowing he was going big and would crash out. I knew to win he had to go so far out of his comfort zone, that space we saw 4 or 5 years ago in other competitions. He was not dropping an 80' drop to double cliff falls.
  • 19 0
 I hope the site is having issues because of the outpouring of support! Its not working for me right now.
  • 6 2
 Ditto. Hopefully all of the people who follow Rampage are trying to donate at the same time....
  • 5 0
 I'll keep trying, it's still timing out. Sharing the story/link is good, but not enough. Donate what you can afford to and let's all help Paul.
  • 22 9
 I second that, Redbull makes a ton of $$ off these guys to do this. Step up when a brother gets injured in your event and cost the riders hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills.
  • 7 3
 Redbull is too widely spread, involved in too many adventure sports to be able to pay for every injury. Even for them the bills would add up fast
  • 9 4
 @alexisfire Red Bull is worth over 7 billion dollars. I think they could manage.
  • 8 0
 But profits are only a couple hundred million a year. Hundreds of yearly injuries and a couple deaths a year (which they have ) would eat that up quick.

Everyone that signs up for these sports is assuming these kinds of risks every time they compete.
  • 2 0
 Red Bull make the bulk of their income from their Media House, not the soft drink sales...
  • 1 0
 now we are debating Red Bull ecenomics and that is so sad in every way when fellow riders are broken. You don't hear about the rest of the unknown riders who are sponsor hungry and broke with no insurance not even band aids.

Does your employer offer on the job insurance?
answer honestly cause mine sure the hell does or NO ONE works.
  • 1 0
 Austrian and German companies...
...their best interest comes first no matter the consequences.

*Hint: German Government*
  • 13 0
 All the rush of attention has effected the server. We are taking steps but they do take a little time. Please check back in the morning as everything will be back in order. Sincerest apologies. Road 2 Recovery
  • 1 2
 Red bull should donate 100k from their own pocket, and what the community raises on top of that will just be a bonus. I also think we should go on all red bull social networks and call them out to help Paul. #redbullhelpoutyourmoneymakers
  • 1 1
 I think Scott bikes should donate 100K, Giro donate 100K, Dainese 100k, Spank 100K, X Fusion 100k because these are his sponsors and the people who are supposed to stand behind him. What if this happened at Joy Ride do we go after Kokanee. I bet Red Bull does help him and not because they have to.
  • 1 1
 Go break your neck and let me know how it feels when you can't do shit and no one supports you. Thx
  • 1 0
 I just think his direct sponsors should be taking a bit more heat than Red Bull over this matter. I don't think a single person has even called out Scott to help support.
  • 11 0
 Was he wearing a backplate? Maybe Redbull should stipulate a minimum of body protection. Not all riders wear the same level of protection. Andreu for example always wears a back and chest plate. Some other riders just a t-shirt.
  • 2 0
 I was wondering the same and looking at the replay there seems to be a back protector below his jersey. I guess you cannot trust back protectors to save your spine or maybe his back protector doesn't cover his back so low as T12 seems to be positioned low at the spine.
  • 1 0
 A backplate would not stop a bone from snapping after an 80 foot catastrophic crash like his. Andreu has been prety vocal about his terror of dropping in and not taking second runs were in the game plan. I am shocked that the Claw was allowed in that wind to ride as it should've been stopped but he bumped the local kid as he was on his new Canyon and HAD to ride it. The rumours were amid that the Claw was done and he sent it. Not impressed but happy he survived being a fan but no one stopped him they egged him on just watch the footy. respect to all who support Paul Basagoitia
  • 8 2
 As awesome as it is to see the MTB community come together and help out a fellow rider, I can't believe we have to do this.
Why aren't there funds in place for the guys risking their lives and health? How is it that we have companies that bring in BIG money can't support the riders that support them?
Where is the compassion?

This isn't the first time this has happened at rampage either. I love this sport and the community behind it but, where is the industry?

A long with the #irideforpaul I propose there should be something similar to raise awareness to the way redbull and the organisers
  • 5 0
 Every time I watched Rampage I was thinking: Hopefully no one gets killed or paralized doing this. Even though something inside me told me I shouldn't watch this and boycot this sort of event I watched it anyways and assumed that these guys are so good that they can handle this sort of riding. Last rampage proofed me wrong.... which is really sad to see. Don't know if I will watch again to be honest.... just makes me sad now.

It reminds me a little of the sauna world champs..... which ended with two dead persons in the sauna.... hmmm, kinda the result you would expect from an event like that.
  • 5 0
 FMB, Red Bull, Sponsors, the Event Management Team... Yet in the end, when things get tough and reality sets in, it's the riders/spectators who support each other. Who's really in it to benefit the sport? #irideforpaul
  • 5 1
 I do not consume energy drinks at all, because they are garbage. I think it is a good plan for everyone to give up redbull and use the money saved to help Paul and his family out. I am going to chip in a little as well, I don;t have much but I'll do something for the guy.
  • 4 0
 I was at Rampage last year and after his first quali run Paul came and sat by my friend and I for a bit. We talked to him and he's such an awesome dude. We asked him a couple questions and he answered them and started asking questions about us, where we were from, how long our drive was, etc. He's a real genuine guy and while we were talking to him it felt like we were just hanging out with a friend. I hope his recovery goes well, gonna donate for sure when the site goes back up.
  • 6 2
 Its about personal accountability. Don't go and do something reckless and expect others to pay if it goes badly. Have the right insurance or whatever, but its extremely ridiculous to assume the rest of the world gives a shit if you hurt yourself and you banking on the world caring was your only back up plan. This only works for teen moms and you're not creating life. This is whats wrong with our gimme gimme generation. Best of luck to you Paul.
  • 3 1
 What it's about is human compassion. Paul followed his passion into a sport that he is very talented at. There are a lot of trade offs in this sport. Travel the world, hang out with your buddies, not make much money unless you are a top guy, etc... Paul has health insurance but even the best insurance won't cover everything. Even Canadian Insurance... Paul has suffered an injury that is life changing and disability or AD&D coverage isn't on the radar with these athletes as it's not affordable due to insurance companies having such a small group to pull from and little to no traceable historical data. It is highly likely that he will never be able to earn money competing as he did before. The sport is like many others and it is entertaining to those of us who watch on the sidelines and admire their skill. The sport is small in comparison to major league ball and stick type sports. This is similar to buying your favorite athlete's jersey, except all the money goes right to the athlete we support in success or failure. Your just showing your support for something you are passionate about. If you aren't passionate about it that is fine, but don't condemn a single person who is in ICU fighting for so much right now.
  • 3 0
 Paul didn't ask for this fund to be set up. It was set up for him by people who care.
  • 8 0
 All the best to you, Paul! Stay strong.
  • 4 1
 Blame this blame that blah blah all i hear. I blame his tires for not getting grip and keeping him under control they should pay his medical bills. Not to be a dick but the man overshot his line, lost control and fell. Maybe just maybe the rider pushed it a hair too far on a drop others held just fine. Not red bull rampage's fault. Dont get me wrong I hope for a full speedy recovery but seriously everyone stop pointing fingers at whos to blame.
  • 3 0
 First I would like to send positive vibes and compassion to Paul and Nicole who I do not personally know. I do know what they are going through and how scary it is. A little over two years ago I had a crash at Sea Otter. I broke both femurs the head of my left hip off fracture my L2 through L4 vertebrates as well as blowing out my acls and pcls in my knees. I was taken to Salinas Valley memorial where I underwent 10 hours of surgery. I flat lined on the surgery table from blood loss momentarily. When I woke up in the ICU I could not feel my legs. I was scared to death I have two boys and a wife who were my first thoughts. After several days at SVM I was transferred to UC Davis acute therapy. My first day there I was still in so much pain but they explained to me they were going to get my pain under control and wheel me down to start PT. When I got down to the PT room they laid me next to a burn victim who had lost all of his limbs in the fire. I could see up his nasal cavity because his nose was gone. He was giving it his all to live a better life than where he was at currently. Needless to say I put on my game face after seeing that and worked hard from that day forward. It was a reality check but the bigger reality check was after getting out of the wheelchair and relearning how to walk. I desired to get back on my bike at get back at it. Much to the dismay of some Family and Friends who love and care for me. Long story short I got back at it! We cannot change who we are! I understand the risks involved with riding fast and jumping my bike. But if I was going to return to living life to the fullest then cutting out the things I love to do was not an option! I get paid nothing to ride hell technically I pay to ride and as long as I am capable I will keep pushing. My family has accepted this and have realized it is this tenacity that brought me back from my injury. Paul Bas is this type of person just like many before him and after him if there is a small chance of feeling that joy of riding he will strive to do it! With hard work and tenacity I believe he will achieve his goals. This not Red Bulls fault they are providing a venue where we can showcase our talents as people who love riding. Even if Rampage got canceled those hills would still be filled with passionate people sending it!
  • 3 1
 Great to hear your story, especially as it has a happy ending. I too have broken 3 vertebrae and a femur in 2 places though in different crashes, healing and rehab is brutal but the thought of getting on the bike gets you through, as much as it sends family members into despair! I would imagine for Paul Bas it's the same,he'll be wanting to ride again as soon as he can.When you have a passion for something this is how it works. I totally agree with what you are saying about people riding stuff whether it's a competition or not. Hopefully Race Face, Dianese, Giro, Spank, X Fusion and Ryders will look after him. As his sponsors it's their job and not Red Bull's.
  • 3 0
 Just out of curiosity, where is everyone getting their "facts" in regards to redbull and Paul's other sponsors not helping out? Even if redbull does pay all the medical bills, he still won't be able to work for quite sometime and that is where these kinds of fundraisers really help out. I have have been trying to keep up with things and have yet to see a public statement from anyone saying that Paul is SOL and needs to figure it out on his own. I think we should all wait and see how much redbull and the others really care about their athletes before we start all this "damn the corporations" talk.
  • 3 0
 I have a huge amout of respect for all the Rampage riders. Its takes huge balls to compete in that contest. I truly wish the best for Bas, and hope he has a 100% recovery. I just dont understand the Red Bull hate though. To the best of my knowlage, unless your wearing a Red Balls helmet, than you arent riding for Red Bull. It has only been a short amount of time since the accident , and its too early to know if red bull will or has helped Bas out financially or some other way. I would think they will, especially with all the exposure. And like someone pointed out, they dont seem to be an evil company. They do have a state of the art spinal research program, and lets not forget the fact that if it wasnt for Red Bull, we wouldnt see riders being able to trek the far corners of the globe with helicopters and stuff. They dam near put a man in space too. I personally love action sports, and love and admire athletes pushing the extremes of themselves and sometimes machines to the limits.. and than pushing them further after that. Like the badass atheletes of Rampage. Rampage is not a series, its invite only, and nobody is forced to compete in it. im just saying before pulling the trigger on Red Bull, at least wait and see what happens. Im not in bed with Red Bull by any means, but they almost single handedly made it possible for athletes of "non football, hockey, baseball, and basketball ", to make a living at "action sports" or at least helped gain exposure to all the other really cool stuff besides football, baseball, and basketball, which at 40, i think are boring as f*ck. Get well, and good luck Bas. My 7yr old son says you are a badass. I say you are a true ambassador of all things Action.
  • 5 1
 Keep on fighting Paul. I think I speak for everyone here when I say our minds and hearts are with you right now. #prayforPaulBas
  • 7 3
 How in the world is red bull not carrying insurance for this, or, at minimum, allowing riders to enter without their own insurance?
  • 12 1
 riders need to provide their own insurance (not allowed to compete without it), but the costs of an injury like this often greatly exceed the coverage provided by insurance. that being said, if red bull can send a man to space in a balloon, they can help paul bas walk and ride again
  • 4 0
 Part of the affordable health care act makes coverage caps against the law. So insurance has to pick up the whole tab no matter what. But, depending on his coverage, he might have a large deductible. I would assume any athlete entering Rampage would also have stellar insurance. Dollars and cents aside, my thoughts and prayers are for a speedy recovery.
  • 18 15
 Why does Redbull have to pay? Is he over 18 and decided not to buy insurance...

Sucks he got hurt but everybody knows someone will get hurt. When I crash and can't work nobody sends me money.
  • 2 0
 Does insurance in the US cover extreme sports? I am going to Moab in 4 days and my insurance won't cover a professional mountain biker if they are competing or training.
We have it good in Canada.
  • 2 1
 Everybody can get insurance for anything, it is just how much you have to pay.
  • 3 1
 Rampage requires them all to be insured to compete.
  • 2 3
 If you get hurt just pretend you don't speak english.
  • 1 0
 skillots. I think you are wrong. When it comes to xtreme sports and medical you cannot get unlimited coverage like we have in Canada. Think about it, one in five get injured at rampage. What insurance company would touch that. The only thing that would help is that if RB put up a bond. But even at that a 2 million bond would not go far in the US. I think we are ignorant of how good we have it here, when all we do is complain about how much we pay in taxes.
  • 2 0
 I treat pts with injuries like Paul's and recently had a pt 3 decades his senior w/ the same injury. A year later, he walks so well you would not know that he fell off a 40 ft cliff while hiking. Paul will likely need months of rehab to get back at it. So drop a dub, or 2,3 or more and stop all the negativity. Get well Paul!!!
  • 3 1
 Heal up soon! It's shameful that in a country as wealthy as the USA that someone can face financial ruin to pay their medical bills, regardless of the cause of illness or injury. Access to treatment should never be limited by your ability to pay. People in the UK should sit up and take note and be grateful for the NHS.
  • 3 1
 I donated, but it's sad to see he's only up to $540. That will pay for half an X-ray. If you think about who's TRULY advanced our sport in the early days there's only a handful. Paul is one of them. Folks, send this guy some money. He broke his back trying to entertain us with a truly sick run. We owe it to him.
  • 2 0
 I will donate, but not because I feel that I owe him anything. He chose to take his Rampage Run, I didn't make him. Yeah, he knew he would be entertaining us but he did it for his own enjoyment and gains, not mine. I am donating because I have chosen to help a fellow rider out in the hope he can one day ride again- because I'm human. No other reason required. Equally, when Paul recovers he won't owe me my money back.
  • 2 1
 Whatever works for you, gavlaa. Good on you for contributing.
  • 2 0
 Donated. I hope Paul makes a full and fast recovery. All the same I think it's insane that a Rampage rider does not have adequate coverage whether it be their fault or their sponsors. The state of healthcare in this country is comical. To ask Redbull to step up is ridiculous. Just as it would be to ask Monster Energy to step up to help a rider financially if they get hurt racing Supercross. It would be cool if they did something but they are not obligated in any way. They are just the title sponsor for the event which we were all pumped on watching for FREE. I can't imagine what it must cost to put on an event like Rampage. I for one really appreciate Redbull's support of action sports and the content they provide.
  • 5 0
 Error establishin a data base connection?
  • 8 0
 I have the same issue here, overloaded maybe?
  • 3 2
 This is so wrong. Someone makes big money from Rampage. But the riders who make the show gets nothing. And now the people have to pay to help a fellow rider. While red bull is making money of his crash they do nothing.

Why the hell did the riders ever sign that paper who says they stand on their own?
  • 1 0
 Wishing Paul all the best with his recovery, and hope to see him killing it on a bike again. Such a shame he crashed on what could of possibly been the winning run and sad that his crash had such serious consequences, stay strong dude!
  • 2 1
 I dont understand why everybody talks about how bad is redbull, why they dont pay him everythink, why do thay bla bla bla.Im glad redbull sponzored best competition on the world, thanks to redbull we can see so many good sports... Why redbull should be responsible for injuries? all riders are resposibly for themself.... everytime I rode some competition I had to sign that nobody is resposible for what Am I doing...
  • 2 1
 Can we get over bitching about Red Bull not paying for stuff when people get hurt? Direct the anger where it belongs: at insurance companies, their astronomical rates, and internal policies that primarily seek to deny coverage rather than provide it.
  • 1 0
 You are right.
  • 2 1
 When you ride Rampage or FEST series you make a choice and set your own limits. He build his own line for god sake!? I don't think anyone pushed Paul into that big drop - it was his own decision. Ryan Howard knew his limits and rode a less difficult line and so did others.
What i'm saying is that crash was bound to happen - sooner or later. Sooner for riders who challenge the mountain in that way Paul did.
Now it happened at Rampage and not FEST series etc. - so now RedBull should pay? Who would have paid for a rider if anyone got hurt in the FEST series?
Accidents happen - I don't think its right to blame anyone.
I wish Paul a speedy recovery and the best of luck in his recovery.
#irideforpaul
  • 1 0
 Just made a donation from Belgium!!
I own a small bikeshop called 'Monsieur Vélo' and I'm gonna #IFixForPaul the next few months!
Keep on fighting, Paul!

Thomas, Monsieur Vélo
www.facebook.com/Monsieur-V%C3%A9lo-457063741086362
  • 1 0
 The amount of money redbull makes from rampage airing on national television is insane. And I'm pretty sure there alot of dudes chomping at the bit to get into to redbull rampage because it's so fucking intense. I really hope redbull takes care of bas, and buys every competitor a new truck.
  • 1 0
 Aren't alot of dudes*
  • 5 1
 It's really a matter of time. Hopefully he regains feeling soon. Healing vibes bro.
  • 2 0
 Please fix the link/donation website! Might be worth re-posting this as I am anxious to donate and I know I'm not the only one. Just waiting for an outlet! Thanks for the update PB.
  • 2 1
 I really hope he makes a full recovery, I broke T9, T10 and T11 in a biking accident so I know how scary spinal injuries can be. What I don't understand is when someone breaks themselves at Rampage so many start hating RB but when someone breaks themselves at a WC DH the organisers aren't held responsible by the PB masses in the same way. What's the difference? You may say it's because of all the money RB make out of Rampage, but if it's such a money spinner why aren't there more main stream companies putting on events of this nature?
  • 3 1
 For instance I don't remember people hating the UCI after Cam Cole broke his back at Vallnord
  • 2 1
 Eeeh because rb makes so much from it and the riders gets nothing?
  • 1 1
 @Dawwen how much do you think they make out of Rampage?Got any figures because my bet is they don't make much.No one forces riders to enter this event.Their own sponsors should take care of them if they break themselves,not the event organisers
  • 2 0
 I hate when the good guys get beat up like that. he was on track for a podium finish, no doubt. Paul is the man, I hope he gets better quick and rides some fest series next year.
  • 2 1
 One would think the event sponsor, a multi million (if not billion) dollar company would support a rider who was injured in the event they sponsor. Red Bull, get some balls instead of wings and support someone who supports you and your competition surely it won't break the bank too much.
  • 1 0
 I'd really like to hear from RB on this one. Do they cover some of "athletes" while others not so much? For example, there isn't much point to covering Brandon Semenuk in Canada or Rachel Atherton in the UK. Meanwhile, the US has the most expensive health care in the world and that's where they hold Rampage??? RB should hold Rampage in Canada so that way at least the hospital bills will be way cheaper for non Canadians if they do get hurt.
  • 2 1
 Just a note that Cam Zink posted a picture on his FB, showing Paul sitting up. Definitely a good sign.

www.facebook.com/121214941259631/photos/a.156130904434701.31802.121214941259631/920705194643931/?type=3&theater
  • 2 1
 Stoked to see the riders and the riding community step up to support one of their own.

But bottom line... where is redbull on this? I know they don't HAVE to do anything as all riders sign waivers but it seems like the right thing to do. He was riding in an event marketed by them, making money for them. He was part of the redbull family. Etc. I don't see how they don't have the dough to pony up for some of these medical expenses... or at least the rehab expensive... which will be EXTENSIVE.

I think the community needs to put a little bit of pressure on them to step up and do what's right.

I'm sure between his sponsors, High 5 and the community there's got to be a way to take care of this dude. He's a hell of a rider and competitor and from everything I'm hearing from those who road with him a hell of a guy.

#irideforpaul
  • 1 0
 Tried Donating but got held up by the are you a robot authentication. It just kept stacking the same letters over and over until it errored out. You guys should fix that because that is a dumb reason for Paul not getting the support his fans and the mtb community want to give him.
  • 1 0
 AFAIK redbull actually does offer a ton of support to its athletes in the form of free access to the best doctors and physio available. They just don't pay hospital bills. One example : espn.go.com/action/story/_/id/6969878/red-bull-links-disc-sports-spine-center-athlete-medical-care

Pretty sure redbull helped soderstrom out with his recovery last year, and so on...
  • 4 0
 Sending some healing vibes bud. Stay strong! #IrideforPaul
  • 2 2
 Guys you are so immature; Redbull made a shit ton of money cause of Rampage 15' but do you really want them to spend some of that money just like that? Human life doen't matter,come on ...All tha matter is money (pprrrrr the irony)
  • 1 1
 Tried to donate. Kept getting a captcha code over and over again on submission. If people want to give you their money it's a good idea to make sure the process works smoothly... Will keep trying. But please, road2recovery, SORT OUT YOUR F*CKING WEBSITE... Funds coming Paul...
  • 1 0
 Got the chills........... Yes its a dangerous sport but, I really hate seeing our heros.... hurt an down an out! We all pray for paul an the best speedy recovery for him!
#RIDEFORPAUL
  • 1 0
 This guy has only received $17k so far??? I thought that the biking community was like a family. Please donate. Wont even pay for 1 hour of his surgery. Thanks to those that did.
  • 2 0
 "Site temporarily unavailable" - like tkrug, I hope Paul's support link isn't working right now because Pinkbikers are flooding it with donations...
  • 1 0
 Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery bro!! You have inspired young and old showing us what possibilities can be had with true vision, desire and hard work. Heal heal heal !!!!
  • 2 2
 Until recently I appreciated all the things that Red Bull does for this sport even though I rarely drink the stuff. But now, embargo on. They've got more than enough resources to to do right by this rider without any hesitation and they choose not to.
  • 1 0
 No matter where you are or what you ride. You can always help out. And the PinkBike community shows this every time something like this happens #PinkBikeGreats

Have a speedy recovery man ! #IRideForPaul.
  • 2 0
 When I saw that it was a fundraiser it had me really worried, still worried but happy he's recovering! #prayforpaulbas
  • 3 0
 Show Paul some love redbull..
  • 1 0
 I know, right? looking on redbull.com, i only see shoutouts to the winners! i'm fully behind you...
  • 3 2
 im not against a good cause, but this should be no fundraiser. red bull, step up to the plate and help one of your athletes out.
  • 1 0
 Recovery for him - its just another spot, huge spot. Here is no wind, no dust on landing, here is just a faith. And we all can help him to do it #irideforpaul
  • 1 0
 Get well soon bro, not long till you will be thrashing it again. Just giving people time for everyone else to catch up right?! #Irideforpaul
  • 1 0
 GUYS THE PAYMENT PAGE IS STILL NOT WORKING. I've tried 4 times today. You're losing money for the man... Paypal just times out... please get this sorted.
  • 2 0
 Why isn't any support for Paul on official RedBull.com Bike Facebook page? #FCKRedBull
Positive vibes for Paul!! #staystrong
  • 2 0
 My eyes water every time I read about this.. Although I know he's gonna whoop its ass!
  • 5 2
 Redbull, all I can say is do whats right.
  • 3 0
 Got a "error establishing database connection" when I tried to donate.
  • 1 0
 Tried again this morning and:

Site temporarily unavailable.
Connection timed out - please try again.

Guys, get your site together!
  • 1 0
 A PR statement from RB wouldn't go amiss. They are (to me) coming across as real corporate dicks by not looking after Paul at a time of need.
I just stopped buying Red Bull.
  • 1 0
 I need to read what other rider think of ALL of this. (Non RB rider of course). I'm thousand km from ALL of this and even if I have my own opinion, i'd like to read them.
  • 2 1
 haha!why f*ck rampage?!if u don't like rampage go put ur onesie on and ride ur gravel roads!we ride scary shit because it makes us happy.sometimes it hurts.
  • 1 0
 Healing vibes and prayers Paul. Our team will donate on your behalf. Stay strong and know we are all in your corner.
  • 1 0
 Can anyone try to click donate and see if the click is valid ? I am trying and getting "unable to process request" error. Frown
  • 1 0
 Paul I'm praying for you and constantly thinking about you, I know you will make a full recovery. Cheers!
  • 8 5
 #redbullshouldpay
  • 2 0
 This is the dumbest event ever.... I really hope this kid recovers.
  • 1 0
 Stay strong Paul. If there's one man who can overcome something like this, its you.
  • 1 0
 Sending healing vibes and a few $ to help also

I really hope Redbull are helping also
  • 3 1
 Red Bull Rampage has become sort of a well paid suicide show.
  • 2 0
 Im done with rampage. Get better Paul
  • 1 0
 Redbull should be paying the way for his recovery... bull shit if they don't
  • 1 0
 Would Paul donate if I broke my back?

I think it is a legitimate question..
  • 2 0
 You should not help people expecting anything back. Donation is 100% optional.
  • 1 0
 Hope he makes a great recovery! So stupid how red bull wont help him out, #redbullhelppaul
  • 1 0
 Red Bull hide the video. They are treating to scaped of their responsibilities
  • 1 0
 "This Gnarly Crash Couldn't Stop Nicholi Rogatkin," says Red Bull biking on October 5. Now I am seriously pissed.
  • 2 0
 I want to donate but the website is down. I will keep trying.
  • 1 0
 Lucky man to have such a massive mountain bike community standing by him! Get well soon!
  • 1 0
 It's amazing no one has died riding for all the TV viewers out there, wishing they still ride bikes.....
  • 1 0
 Anyone else having a problem making a donation? How the hell are we supposed to help Paul?
  • 1 0
 This shouldnt be a witch hunt. Redbull hasnt taken a stance on this. This is for the people by the people.
  • 2 1
 Wow... a lot of people live in La La Land... but my guess is you are too young to understand how a corporation operates.
  • 2 0
 the site is down :/
  • 1 0
 Healing vibes and prayers. Heal up Paul.....
  • 1 0
 You moust be strony! Everbody with You Poul.
  • 1 0
 So he has feeling in his legs and is able to move them?
  • 2 1
 A good question. Think feeling will come with time.
  • 1 0
 Site work is being completed. 10 out of 10 tests came out good.
  • 2 0
 You got this Paul Smile
  • 1 0
 Power Bas, the world bycicle need you!!!!!!
  • 1 0
 just donated, fight on P.Bas
  • 1 0
 done... hope it does help
  • 1 0
 Paul you are a freaking legend and we are rooting for you!
  • 1 0
 Heal up soon Paul! We will see you back on your bike soon buddy.
  • 1 0
 Site is up, donation in. Wishing you a full recovery #irideforpaul
  • 1 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/12811320

#irideforpaul heal up quick !!!
  • 1 0
 A great rider and I hope he gets better asap!
  • 1 0
 Heal up soon Paul!!

#IRIDEFORPAUL
  • 1 0
 Donated! Heal up soon dude! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 #irideforpaul!!!! Anyone who rides that course has to has serious balls.
  • 1 0
 Hope to see you on your bike soon Paul
  • 1 0
 any updates on his injury?
  • 3 1
 #ThinkForPaul
  • 1 0
 Healing vibes! #redbullforbas
  • 1 0
 signed. get well soon Paul! Pulling for you!
  • 1 0
 #f*ckrampage riders should boycott it until red I'll step up!
  • 1 0
 Best of Luck to you in rehab. Get Well Soon. #IRIDEFORPAUL
  • 1 0
 Heal up. #irideforpaul
  • 1 0
 #irideforpaul
  • 1 0
 Page is down again. Frown
  • 1 0
 #f*ckrampage
  • 1 0
 Healing vibes
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