Pinkbike Poll: Who Will Win Red Bull Rampage 2022?

Oct 20, 2022
by Sarah Moore  
William Robert is looking right at home at his first Rampage.


The world's biggest freeride event is back and riders and their dig teams have been hard at work for the past week transforming the rugged cliffs of Virgin, Utah into spectacular lines ahead of the main event tomorrow.

Rampage is famously hard to predict with a combination of weather conditions, running order and line selection all coming into play to decide the winner. This year's field includes returning champions in Andreu Lacondeguy, Brandon Semenuk, Brett Rheeder, Kurt Sorge, Cam Zink and Kyle Strait, veterans such as Tyler McCaul, Carson Storch and Thomas Genon as well as first-timer competitors William Robert, Alex Volokhov and Dylan Stark. Every rider on the hill has a shot at winning if they stomp their line and we couldn't be more excited for the big show to kick off.

So, we're turning it over to you now. Who do you think has what it takes to claim the top of the box tomorrow? Let us know your choice from the entry list below.


Who will win Red Bull Rampage 2022?



Who do you think will be underscored at Red Bull Rampage 2022?



Posted In:
Racing and Events Polls Red Bull Rampage Red Bull Rampage 2022


Author Info:
sarahmoore avatar

Member since Mar 30, 2011
1,350 articles
Report
Must Read This Week
Pole Bicycles Has Filed for Bankruptcy
62459 views
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
61428 views
First Ride: The Sub-$600 RockShox Domain and Psylo Forks
45569 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
39824 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in TWO WEEKS!
37632 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
36379 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
35944 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
35381 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

135 Comments
  • 137 4
 Brendog Fairclaw will remain robbed
  • 78 3
 IMO his line with 'The Rock' and the janky canyon backflip was one of the best ever. Bummed he is not there this year.
  • 6 1
 the judges always win, sponsor money lop
  • 4 1
 What about the ones they been robbed already to not being invited into true mix?...
  • 6 0
 @jkwilliamz: def my fave Rampage line and POV!
  • 7 4
 I love how a vast majority of people voted Jaxson as the one who will get robbed when he clearly stated he will just be hitting the jump line the whole way down. At the same time, a vast majority of people say Rampage is too slopestyle. Hmmmmmmm
  • 4 0
 Norbs got robbed!!
  • 1 0
 Should have won with that line NO DOUBT !!!!
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: Where are you getting that "a vast majority of people say Rampage is too slopestyle"? Pick any topic and you'll find people complaining about it on the internet. But as far as I can tell, nearly everyone thinks rampage is gnarly AF and loves the shit out of it.
  • 59 2
 Lacondeguy and godzkiek have been very underated IMO.. Brandon for the W
  • 53 3
 Andreu has had a year or two where he could have arguably won. He's also had a couple where a crash is all that stopped a win. If he holds it together hes always a solid option.
  • 23 0
 @cougar797: yeah man. Was it 2019 where he pulled of that manic backflip into another backflip and then crashed on an "easy hip jump towards the bottom?
  • 20 4
 @cougar797: I definitely thought Andreu deserved the win instead of Rheeder in 2018
  • 15 0
 @cougar797: this is the run i was referring to.

www.redbull.com/us-en/videos/red-bull-rampage-2019-andreu-lacondeguy
  • 17 1
 @Struggleteam: That run had me pumped. The raw energy Andreu brings and the mayhem, so fun to watch.
  • 7 1
 @Struggleteam: So loose! 2018, he managed to stomp a run, and he carried tons of speed and looked on the edge, had tricks, big sends. IMO he ticked every rampage box.
  • 3 0
 Godzkiek has done that 70+ ft gap jump several times. You know he's planning for an invert over that gap. Lacondeguy for sure is underrated as well.
  • 3 2
 @misteraustin: yeah man. dude is a maniac. When he gets off line, somehow doesn't die and then pulls it back together....epic. Then he crashed on a jump that I might even hit. Such a bummer. Love to see him win it this year.
  • 5 0
 @leon-forfar: I was there for that one and totally agree.
  • 6 1
 @Struggleteam: It wasn't such an easy hip jump, it just paled in comparison to what he had shown just before that.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: Agreed. i attempted to put "easy" in quotation marks above but i only did one. its a relative term.
  • 1 0
 @cougar797: Not just arguably could have won... Andreu Lacondeguy won in 2014 with Zink 2nd and Semenuk 3rd.
  • 2 0
 @Struggleteam: Ah, I see it now!
  • 2 0
 @Struggleteam: omg...who pulls it out of the weeds close to absolute destruction and then still throws down?? What a legend.
  • 4 0
 @Struggleteam: Man what a run! I remember how on the edge of my seat I was when he had that crazy recovery.
  • 2 0
 @DylanH93: Yeah I was in the 'Redbull VIP' area which is just a little plateau and that jump was right in front of us at the bottom. We were screaming, couldn't believe he bailed.
  • 1 0
 @manhattanprjkt83: Watching it on video it seemed like he bailed out of nowhere. Being there in person did it look like he bailed early or was it clear his landing wasn't going to work?
  • 1 0
 @Struggleteam: Yah he knew it was his and he threw it away too. Hated it for him. He still one of the greatest to do it even if he never gets gold.
  • 2 1
 @raleightheodoresakers: Tuck no-hander backie over the canyon gap. I'm calling it.
  • 1 11
flag Mason-Walls (Oct 20, 2022 at 16:56) (Below Threshold)
 Personally I am not a fan of Lacondeguy's style he looks out of control. I like rider's that can ride fast but still look silky smooth. I'm not hating on Lacondeguy, he's an amazing rider and sends it, but he's just not my favorite.
  • 2 0
 @scott-townes: I heard double backflip, if he does that he could conquer semenuk
  • 1 0
 @bt006shreds: wtf and I'm not sure. Its not just about a single trick and Semenuk's line is so intense. Remember the canyon hip gap drop and how big that flat drop tailwhip is.
  • 1 0
 @cougar797: My thoughts exactly. His extensions are huge and his energy coming down the mountain is even bigger. He is one of those riders I selfishly wish was better at social media so I could see more of him.
  • 2 0
 It seems that I was right after all... So terrible to see that score for Godziek after that incredible run, so much risk for a regard that's not worth it.
  • 2 0
 @raleightheodoresakers: They both got underated this year again...
  • 91 45
 Where's the option for "Who Will Be Overscored?"

......

Sorge, Zink, McCaul, Strait. +10 points for getting here early.
  • 66 5
 I’ve never hated a comment more in my life. I’ve walked most of the lines from the last 10 rampages, you know whose terrify me the most?

Sorge, Zink, McCaul, Strait. Hands down the gnarliest line choices of the group.
  • 24 0
 I don’t know my dude. T Mac has done some crazy shit over the years. I saw him in 2010 live and Gee. Their lines were close to each other’s. Gee was so smooth and extremely fast. T Mac had big drops and jumps. But I’ve never thought in all these years T Mac was overrated. He’s missed the podium when I’ve thought he deserved a spot up there.
  • 18 0
 People complain about the event not being gnarly enough then make comments like this, saying the guys who routinely ride the most technical lines are overrated
  • 8 5
 @theging: Sorry, I’m halfway just trying to get people riled up. Some of those guys runs and style just never gets me very excited, and then I see scores come in. But I have never been in person, and I am sure they are all insane. Not to take away from them in any way. The magnitude definitely does not show on camera.
  • 3 0
 @misteraustin: wow. I realize I sound like an a hole in that comment, but I’m always bummed to see how low they score knowing how wild it is.

Most importantly, ITS RAMPAGE, we’re all stoked!! In the words of the Grinch, “There will be no sad faces on Rampage”
  • 1 0
 @chrisclifford: thank you. I honestly expected more bullshit rampage hate in the comments this year. Glad to see so many other people stoked
  • 7 0
 @theging: You're good bro! I don’t mind being called out. Get pumped!!!
  • 3 0
 @misteraustin: I only agree with you on Sorge. Not to say what he's doing isn't impressive, but he's had some wild scores for stuff that is no where near as impressive. Blows my mind he has three wins.

The cynic in me would say it's because his pals are judges, but that's probably unfair.

T-Mac has had some storming lines. Like monster stuff. Back when everyone was using wooden features he built a massive natural drop. There are years where Sorge has massively outscored him and I don't think it was in any way deserved.
  • 2 5
 misteraustin is another perfect example of why we should never allow fanboys to judge a MTB event.
  • 25 0
 It would be wild if Semenuk won the ARA and Rampage back-to-back.
  • 12 0
 And then Polaris sticks him in an off-road vehicle and he wins some desert races next year... hell... Baja 1000 is coming up why not go for the trio!
  • 1 0
 Doable.
  • 22 0
 I feel McCaul has been underscored in the past. It would be awesome to see McCaul break the top five...would be great if he got in the top three
  • 3 0
 id like to see him win. his line is so cool.
  • 24 2
 Andreu has been consistently underscored.
  • 4 0
 He won in 2014, and podiumed at least 2 other times, so... huh?
  • 4 6
 @tbmaddux: underscored doesn't mean you haven't been successful. He could've won every year and still have been underscored
  • 18 0
 Everyone: Rolls eyes and votes Semenuk to win.
Also everyone: Knows something about Jaxson that I don't know.
  • 2 0
 Likewise
  • 17 4
 Riddle rides with a style the judges have yet to appreciate fully but the viewers get it.
  • 2 0
 Jaxson's style brings something fresh to the scene. Maybe it get's played out eventually, but until then, it's still going to have me going holy shit. The amplitude and bike/body separation on some of the tricks is something new to rampage.
  • 16 3
 Who ever wins…will have a single crown fork. Slightly hoping Dylan wins. But I know everyone will be wanting Brandon to win.
  • 21 4
 not sure if everyone will be wanting him to win, for me its pure calculation: judges will score tailwhips and barspins super high (sadly as it slightly kills freeride soul of Rampage)
  • 18 2
 Give me Stark or give me death
  • 9 6
 @johnyyy: Not necessarily. It won't be as unique this year as it was last year. 3 guys will be doing it instead of 1. So the entire run is going to have to be banger and technical now. Not just a journey to 2 big hits.

And I wouldn't say it's killing the soul of rampage. Think of it this way... How gnarly is a flip whip off a 35 foot drop? That is progression not killing the soul.

I will say this.... I almost think scoring is going to have to change at some point. Similar to how speed and style is. The main goal is speed. The tricks take time off the clock.... but only to a point.

I think there should be a combined score and they should have different weights. It's rampage so I think it should be in this order....

TECH
FLOW
AMPLITUDE/SPEED
TRICKS
OVERALL

Have a judge that focuses on each piece and is a professional at that piece... and has ridden rampage...
Combine them.

Say overall is out of 10. Tricks is out of 15. Amplitude and Flow are out of 20. Tech is out of 35. Or some similar combination. Hell maybe Overall gets a bigger vote. I don't know.

I just don't think having 5 dudes gather around and get hyped off each other is the way to do it anymore. You end up judging the first couple guys super crappy. Then you have a guy like Semenuk come that almost has a higher starting point because of who he is... so he almost has to screw up to lose. Or you have one dude do something crazy and it gets the judges hyped... then every score after that is elevated because they're elevated.

I'd hate to be a damned judge... but I tell you what... I'd hate even more to be Cam McCaul watching his little brother do that stuff live and attempt to stay calm and professional...


Me.... I just want to see everyone safe and I want to see Tyler McCaul on the freaking podium!!!!!
  • 5 1
 @abele02: hopefully he was able to sneak in a grind rail. Imagine, a crank slide 69 ft down.
  • 1 0
 Yup…spinning the bars and tail whips for the win. Must have a slopestyle background
  • 1 0
 @kroozctrl: you were not far off...
  • 12 0
 If Andreu is on form, it would suck if he winds up second behind someone just because they barspinned and tailwhipped with a singlecrown
  • 3 0
 I'm extra-less-enthused about the single crowned shenanigans given that there was, apparently, a single crown bike in 2013. Not as novel as I thought.
  • 3 1
 id love to see andreu win. it should be judged on style not best trick.
  • 13 1
 Unfortunately not Strait, he had a huge crash and has been evacuated by air…
  • 4 0
 For real?
  • 2 0
 @wolftwenty1: unfortunately…
  • 2 0
 Link?
  • 2 0
 Man that's awful, any idea what happened? Really wish him the best.
  • 1 0
 @pierroleloup: what happened?
  • 2 0
 I heard it was an OTB on a drop.
  • 1 2
 @stalkinghorse: this
  • 1 0
 @Tallboy97: yikes. Hope hes ok
  • 1 0
 I hope he will be ok.
  • 1 0
 @stalkinghorse: just saw a live feed on instagram from a digger of William Robert and he was saying that Strait crash on a gap…
  • 2 0
 @pierroleloup: lots of different information swirling, just hope the guy is ok.
  • 3 0
 @manhattanprjkt83: he brokes his T4,5 and 6 vertebrae. He goes in surgery to stabilize his T6
  • 1 0
 Fuck that sucks to hear. He's such a classic gnarly rider. Praying he's ok and heals fast.
  • 1 0
 @pierroleloup: holy crap...where are you getting this information?
  • 2 0
 @wolftwenty1: www.instagram.com/stories/luca_cometti/2953462019749704101
  • 1 0
 @wolftwenty1: VitalMTB and Luca Cometti
  • 2 0
 FU*K! Heal quick Kyle! It won’t be the same without you!
  • 9 0
 Given the top drop works...Brandon: www.instagram.com/reel/Cj8n32Ggpbv
  • 9 1
 I wanna see stark win that guy is so dope
  • 2 1
 Same, I really hope he wins.
  • 8 1
 Norbs will be robbed!
  • 4 0
 It's bad enough it happened once, but now Pinkbike have done it again by leaving him out of the poll. It's a conspiracy man!
  • 2 0
 i think semenuk will win but i hope someone else does. its just a bit predictable. rheeder could potentially do it with the tricks he can do with a single crown fork but i think if rampage was more judged on style andreu, tyler or jaxon riddle would win.
  • 6 0
 Robbie Bourdon
  • 1 0
 Who will be underated by the commenters, everyone else except Semenuk. Fair enough I voted for him to win in the pole. Everyone who gets to the bottom is a winner, and everyone who tries is also a winner. and we watch and i feel like ive won. chicken dinner!
  • 12 7
 Let's go Brandon!
  • 4 5
 It would be cool if Pinkbike had a way to randomize the order of the poll options so that it would be a better representation. IE everyone who loads the page gets a different order each time. Right now people just read top to bottom and grab the first one that they're fond of.
  • 5 2
 Buncha Brandon fanboys in here
  • 5 2
 Even if you're not a fan... hard to argue that he's not a stand-out talent.
  • 2 0
 Surprising polling results. I thought the general consensus was Semenuk is a hell of a rider and definitely a champion but Rampage should go back more to it's freeride roots.
  • 2 0
 @DylanH93: semenuk has some of the gnarliest features on the course, just happens that he can also trick that crazy shit
  • 1 0
 @DylanH93: freeride is as born on single crowns
  • 1 0
 * was
  • 3 0
 Hopefully going big is rewarded more than medium + trick.
  • 3 0
 So the poll results = last year
  • 3 0
 #KyleStrait is down Heal up Kyle!
  • 1 0
 If Semenuk doesn't have any errors, he's just about unbeatable. If Godziek can get a clean run in, he'd be my dark horse choice.
  • 2 0
 Jaxson will be robbed again
  • 5 2
 Brage got robbed
  • 1 0
 We got robbed because he's still hurt and declined the invite.
  • 1 0
 Semenuk is at another level of riding and creativity. But the roster is heavy. Really like Andreu tho!
  • 5 3
 Jaxson got robbed
  • 1 0
 Everybody able to get down safely is a winner for himself I think.
  • 1 0
 The riders I voted for in the Sram contest, in that order.
  • 2 1
 rider with the best score will win
  • 3 0
 you're like, a prophet, man
  • 1 0
 You left out an option: We all win!
  • 1 0
 If Semenuk wins, I'd be betting he retires from Rampage after this year.
  • 1 0
 If TVS puts a run together there is no touching him
  • 1 1
 Brandon Semenuk is taking the trophy
  • 1 0
 Rheeder...
  • 1 0
 Will white FTW
  • 1 0
 Zink
  • 3 5
 Who at Outside is holding all the Pinkbike writers hostage and forcing them to write about rampage?
  • 2 0
 I used to discount rampage, then you realise how insane it is and what they are doing, then you realise it is an absolute sec it all to witness! Cannot wait!!
  • 5 0
 I'm loving all the Rampage articles. I've been legit excited all week. Can't believe it's less than a day away. This must be how people feel about the Superbowl haha.
  • 1 0
 The additional content makes it better, gives the riders a story. Without it the live feed is a lot more boring
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.049773
Mobile Version of Website