Pinkbike Poll: If The Points Didn't Matter, What Was Your Favourite Rampage Run?

Oct 25, 2019 at 19:15
by Brian Park  
Cam Zink with gargantuan front flip over his canyon gap.


Whose riding did you enjoy watching the most? Points aside, placing aside. Not "who should have won" or "who got robbed." Just what was your favourite run?

Replay below


What was your favourite run from Rampage 2019?



Author Info:
brianpark avatar

Member since Dec 29, 2010
215 articles
Must Read This Week
Pole Bicycles Has Filed for Bankruptcy
62850 views
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
62262 views
First Ride: The Sub-$600 RockShox Domain and Psylo Forks
45739 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
41017 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in TWO WEEKS!
37688 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
36727 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
36703 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
36525 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

124 Comments
  • 161 3
 Brendog was at least judged much more correctly than in the past. I'd only move people around +- 1 spot instead of 5 spots. Probably the best overall judging yet.
  • 48 1
 Least hated rampage ever ftw!
  • 113 4
 Agreed. Semenuk was the rightful winner in my mind, and Rheeder was a close second, but Fairclough's run was easily my favorite. Flipping that canyon was gangster AF. Would have liked to have seen him on the podium and would hate to take Steenbergen off it. Judges had a hard, hard job this year.
  • 12 18
flag onemanarmy FL (Oct 25, 2019 at 20:18) (Below Threshold)
 @JohnnyVV: agreed but I flip flop 1 and 2. Close though.

Really like tmac and godziek too.
  • 38 1
 Fairclough's second run is what won it for me.
  • 5 14
flag racecase (Oct 26, 2019 at 7:17) (Below Threshold)
 WE got robbed of a Jordie Lunn!
  • 17 2
 I think Carson was underscored. Deserved a 88-89
  • 5 0
 @NWuntilirest: sucks that Carson had to drop so early, makes it tough to judge accurately with so many riders still left to go. I thought his run was killer too
  • 1 1
 @scott-townes: I was praying that Fairclough was going to continue his run after the push-ups. That would have been sooooo sick!!!!
  • 1 0
 @jjalessi: He did continue, canyon gap and all. Did they not show it?
  • 2 0
 @scott-townes: sorry, yes he did. I meant continue the same as his first round. He skipped the rock drop, and didn’t do his backflips.
  • 1 0
 @jjalessi: ah yeah, true. Last year he didn't bother with a 2nd run so that was awesome to see this year.
  • 87 3
 Tough choice between Fairclough and Lacondeguy. Both had me literally on my feet screaming.
  • 84 15
 Brendog’s was fun to watch, but I think they got the placements right. Could Semenuk have done Fairclough’s run? Yes. Could Fairlough have done Semenuk’s run? Nope.
  • 9 6
 Exactly.
  • 13 13
 yes to your nope. and im a semenuk fanboy. fairclough is an animal though. rooting for both of them, and while semenuk won it clearly, brendog can ride anyone's line. and with steeze.
  • 22 7
 @ranke: he can ride the line, but he can’t ride it and so the same moves. That’s the point.
  • 13 8
 Hold up, Brendan built his line to compliment his style, and Semenuk his. Naturally Brandon is going to want stuff that allows him smooth take off and landing, and enough air to do the big tricks that pay his bills. Fairclough is more oldschool, go fast and big and let the mountain do the talking, where as Semenuk will make a huge slope track on the corpes of baby seals strewn across Everest if thats whats required. Points should be given for length of run (in total feet) and total speed (avg across a longer run). This would even the playing fields between more slopestyle/big drop runs and those longer/faster rowdy freeride/race lines. IMO
  • 8 13
flag ashio1 (Oct 27, 2019 at 6:22) (Below Threshold)
 What a load of rubbish. What exactly was difficult in Semenuk run? Brendon can do all that slopestyle crap and podium world cups. I love semenuk, he is so sick. And he said as probably scored correctly within the rules but Brendon hit a much harder line much better.
  • 6 2
 @ashio1: I wanted to see someone win that had not won.. but Semenuk had some bangers in there.. back flipping the first drop of a double drop? Come on, thats next level... I think I counted 8 tricks also, some being double tricks.. Clearly its hard to judge, but no one got robbed..Judges did a nice job..
  • 3 0
 @billybobzia: it was a banging run, and I can't argue with the double drop. It was also a winning run based on the scoring criteria. He is awesome. I just think as a feat of riding skill, style and balls, Brendon was the winner on the day. 8 year old me was more blown away by Brendon's run and that's what I want from my pro's
  • 9 2
 Could Semenuk have done Fairclough’s run? No*

Fixed that for you.

Even Semenuk himself would laugh at your comment. Fairclough is has performed at a top 10 level from a dh wc perspective, they are not similar riders in the slightest. Semenuk is incredible at what he does, and so is FairCLAW.
  • 49 1
 Brendog put down a fantastic unique run. Ollie & Deaks killed it on the digging and Matt Jones with the Social updates kept us all in stitches.
Watch the Ride Kong video for quality British banter.
Beer
  • 3 0
 That video was hilarious!
  • 1 0
 Any chance you'd link me to the Ride Kong video? I searched and didn't find it...
  • 4 0
 @mtbikemccoy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSJOXbcDkG0&t=636s its that one i guess or the next upload
  • 5 0
 @mtbikemccoy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_PWIfdevLA
  • 4 0
 @MagneirMedia: LOL! Poor ol’ Deakes! So funny! I have buddies who do that to me on skis. Cliffin’ me out on a 30’er... WAY over my head. I know that feeling.
Kong looks like a good time! Only an 18 hour drive... who want to meet me?!
  • 1 0
 "Brendon is going to "cycle" down this."
  • 36 0
 Re-watching this evening, I’ve decided that points aside, Andreu’s run was my favourite.
  • 5 0
 No question for me it was the most intense to watch, after that slam in the first run (where he still got up and ripped some on lower section to finish), then got squirrelly after that flip but saved it to that last trick jump, he definitely had me the most gripped ...
  • 4 0
 Absolutely agree. Love Fairclough's line, but AL's run had me freaking out. That was why I watch this stuff.
  • 3 5
 It was a great run but I don't feel like he should have even done it. All this talk in sports about concussions and it seemed very clear he had a concussion. Do they not have doctors that can assess this at Rampage?
  • 8 0
 @chezotron: he was cleared by the doctors to do his second run. They definitely take concussions seriously.
  • 2 0
 @chezotron: looked fine to me considering he almost smashed his second run, if anything he tweaked or bruised his leg
  • 28 2
 Favorite was Fairclough but no denying Semenuks amazing run and Lacondaguy was fire as well.

Still a bit bummed since judges clearly rewarded tricks more than technical riding (Semenuk clearly had both though). If this big mtn slopestyle is the new norm for Rampage it would be phenomenal if Red Bull would create some technical riding event where the Fairclough, Lund (RIP), T Mac, etc.. could really get rewarded for this type of riding. Clearly PB would be on board with that type of event.
  • 10 6
 I guess you could hold an event where no tricks are allowed but I think it’s a mistake to stop the progression. It’s not that they rewarded tricks more, it’s that they rewarded the rider who did gnarlier stuff more. Think of it this way, is there really question whether Semenuk could ride fairclough’s line and do everything he did? What about the reverse?
  • 15 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: Andreu and Brendog were much faster on technical sections, and imo haf much more flow in the whole run. I also think judges reward more tricks, than speed and flow. A pity that Andreu couldn't finish his line, that looked mental, he is the only one combining speed and tricks. Would have liked to see Atherton line. Points aside, gnarly big mountain DH lines are as fun to watch as big mountain slopestyle.
  • 6 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: I don't think you should judge by whether one rider could do another rider's line. Each has their own style and risks and should be judged as the final product. Semenuk can't race WC races(probably) and Brendan couldn't do joyride, but that doesn't mean anything.
  • 4 4
 @Herrdok: you may be underrating Semenuk’s line choice. The judges have seen all those lines up close and personal. I could make an argument that Brendan had a better line and more style and fluidity. But if he did, I can’t claim it was by much. Like it or not tricks are part of the criteria, and the gap between Semenuk and Fairclough in that category is massive. There isn’t any way around it. That’s why when each judge scored each area and they added them all up, Semenuk came out with a few more points! If you eliminate tricks, you eliminate a natural way for a rider to demonstrate a greater level of skill. Although I personally don’t love how much time they have to buff the mountain. I think if they had less time and means to transform the mountain, it would reduce the importance of tricks. But The riders seem to like it as is (safer for one thing) and without tricks I bet you’d see even more complaints about the judging. There would be so little separating the riders.
  • 1 3
 @Ron-C: well they are judged “by the final product” as you say but it’s completely fair to compare runs by riders at the same event. That’s the whole point, each judge scored them in each criteria and Semenuk got more points when they added them all up. That’s each judge, independently. The point about how they would do at WC/Joyride is irrelevant and probably not even true. I bet Brendan could ride through the joyride course and even do some tricks. And we’d all like to see how Semenuk would stack up at WC!
  • 4 4
 @BiNARYBiKE: amplitude should be 90 % of the score this is/was Rampage not Joyride!
  • 3 2
 @rcrdrvr: You've been on some ridiculous trip all over these threads. There's 20 some athletes in this event and judges who also freeride (probably better then you) who accept and know what this event is about but you somehow believe that you've got this figured out better then they do. Your argument can have some weight when they add 40-50ft drops and dual crown bikes in joyride, but until then loosen tf up.
  • 3 3
 @anchoricex: ridiculous trip? ok - just think the judging sucked. They def ride better than me. I love all kinds of racing and contests, sometimes the judging sucks, and sometimes an overscore ruins the rest of the event. You ever watch WSL...happens all the time. Sometimes they get it bang on. I guess i just don't like the way the event is heading. By the way i love slope as well, just think this could be different.
  • 4 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: No problem with tricks, it's just the weighting of the judging.
  • 2 1
 @BiNARYBiKE: I think no one questions Semenuk's win, we just think that Brendog should be on the podium.
  • 1 2
 @Slabrung: I would love to see his run on the podium. But the judging doesn’t work like that. Everyone is talking as if the judges sit around and say “what score should we give this guy?” They don’t. They all rate him and then combine those ratings, and then they stack up where they stack up. No it’s not perfect because it’s still the opinion of the judges. But it is the system. Under that system, they can’t just “put him on the podium” especially when he doesn’t have anything to add on a second run to try to better his score. (His words, not mine. I love his run and what he did for Jordie. But he said he didn’t have anything else.)
  • 1 2
 @rcrdrvr: can you identify anyone actually involved in organizing, judging, or riding rampage who has said that?
  • 1 1
 @Inertiatic: do you want them to weigh other things more than tricks? I mean if we’re debating how they should judge, that’s one thing. My argument is that under the current judging criteria, Semenuk deserved a higher scoring run then Brendan. Is that really in question?
  • 1 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: sry, kinda lost...said what?
  • 3 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: yes...the judging was spot on for the current criteria, i just don't agree with the criteria for judging this event. To each their own, but the biggest hits with the most danger should win when nailed for me. like Zink's 360 off that drop a couple yrs back. I have a hard time picking who should come out on top for instance off the rep drop...someone who sends it super deep with more speed off the take off or someone who tricks it with a 360, bakflip, or sui.
  • 1 1
 @rcrdrvr: cheers. I disagree that the criteria is wrong, but I’m fine with those who do. My beef is those claiming that under the current criteria Brendan should’ve scored higher than Semenuk or Rheeder. Maybe TVS...
  • 1 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: tvs or godz...and yes maybe
  • 2 0
 @BiNARYBiKE: what I meant is that in my opinion TVS and Rheeder were scored too high relative to Brendan (and/or Brendan was scored too low). I personally value Brendan's run more than the other two.
  • 2 0
 In one of cam zinks videos his builder's were saying they don't score any points with tires on the ground so they were routing around a chute in favour of another jump
  • 2 0
 @kevin267: This says quite a lot
  • 1 1
 @kevin267: makes sense, airtime is part of the judging criteria. I love seeing them tackle gnarly chutes. But I bet the general viewing public doesn’t appreciate it as much.
  • 21 3
 Brandon’s run was amazing he just never stops progressing, yeah Squampton!.
  • 20 4
 brandons the standard for me. I love watching other guys like brendog go fast and huge, but freeride is so subjective that i tend to be in the brandon camp. I've followed him at coast gravity and he can absolutely fly, tear up tech and throw huge tricks. He's the f*cking don and it kills me to see the disrespect he gets out here.

Also he seems to be a lot more composed/mature in interviews now, dudes grown so much since I first saw him hit joyride years ago.

At the end of the day you can't deny that Semenuk's influence on freeride and slopestyle is unmatched. Everyone started doing gyros and mech brakes at slope, people love nosebonking in rampage now, brett loves the backflip one foot can. lol.
  • 11 3
 @anchoricex: Agreed. Brandon is the best all-around rider on the planet as it is. And his run today was a nonstop bag of awesome tricks. I love Brendog and he's a very likeable person, his run was spectacular, but not as "complete" and varied as Brandon's, IMHO.
  • 7 2
 @anchoricex: I don't think anyone hates on Brandon Semenuk here - quite the opposite.
I just think everyone was rooting for Fairclough after his marking last year. He was the underdog and everyone wanted to see him succeed, just by getting the score we felt he deserved. He was never really 'expected' to win. He ride an incredible line and made a huge personal progression, and people love that.
Semenuk suffers because he is so good people almost expect him to win, so people aren't as excited by the result.
They are both awesome and deserved their results. There's no hate.
  • 16 1
 To me I think Ethan nell’s run stood out the most. I would have liked to see what Zink could have thrown down.
  • 14 1
 I still think zink should've won the year when he 360'd the massive drop. That was fucking horrifying.
  • 3 2
 @anchoricex: that is the type of stuff that should win this event, i mean it is called Rampage after all not Joyride.
  • 2 2
 @rcrdrvr: You are so damn corny tho.
  • 2 2
 I'm not sure I can bear another year with Zink. Props to the guy for being an amazing rider and having the grit to keep going, but it's no fun watching a masochist.
  • 3 0
 @Yerts: Having the stones to get up and go again does not make someone a masochist.
  • 11 0
 Loved aggy's hype and style on his run. Semenuks was jaw-dropping, and Brendog's run had me beyond stoked. Best rampage yet in my opinion!
  • 10 0
 Looking at the results coming in, I have to say Vinny T is being massively underrated. I absolutely loved his riding out there today. Fucking burly.
  • 1 1
 so fucking loose as well as a couple others...loose plus amplitude wins in my book hands down!
  • 2 0
 It was the speed that had me gripped, the man was shredding his way down. It's the one that made me want to ride, other ones may have been more intense but Vinny T had me stoked
  • 12 4
 Were in the era of sidewalk trail rampage. It may as well be a massive dirtjump park. Not so say its not amaing but bren dogs run bought it back to the o.g. in my opinion. Back when it was about the gnar and not perfectly manicured massive drops.
  • 2 2
 judging should be 90% amplitude period...this is Rampage, or it was.
  • 3 2
 @rcrdrvr: so just big air contest? lol watch fest
  • 4 0
 @anchoricex: fest is sick, just a little different though. Can we not agree it would suck for legendary free riders to not come to this event because the way the judging is going?
  • 10 1
 If it's a matter of the relative size of the rider versus the size of the track then Lacondeguy won hands down.

But it's not, so: Fairclough
  • 5 0
 Best run by far was Lacon line, the line was technical, fast and Andreu was delivering from top to bottom, while the other's rider's had some slow sections, or kind of not too tech sections. Too bad he crashed, We are sure that we will be on a podium spot. Brendog on the other side, was our second favourite line, he really deserved to be on top. that crazy backlfip on the canyon gap, that made us jump from our seats.
  • 5 0
 voted for Emil Johanssen. Sick run as a first timer and on such short notice! brendogs canyon flip was one of the best things I've ever seen, but semenuk's run was just pure class.
  • 4 0
 I loved Graham Agassiz's run. I don't think it was a podium run (needed to trick more of his big step downs), but I enjoyed it the most because it had three massive step downs and he never slowed down or crept into anything. Just fast, flowy, and massive the whole way down with some good tricks.
  • 4 0
 I wished Lacon dialed his run so much. He was #1 in my mind. Am I the only one that thinks Kyle Straights absolutley mindbendingly massive sui over that monster gap should have won best trick ? The frontflip down the drop was neat I guess, but that no hander had such huge balls. Steezy massive baĺls.
  • 7 1
 Got to give Bienvenido Aguado Alba credit for going for that flip after the sketchy landing on the one right before.
  • 6 1
 Brendon representing not just the Brits, but the entire mountain bike world. People know who the real winner is. It's Brendog
  • 5 0
 Brendog absolutely nailed it. Great to see lots of full runs and awesome to see an all Canadian sweep of the podium! Congrats to all the riders.
  • 8 1
 Best run: Brendog.
Best moment: Aggy's dancing.
  • 5 0
 Scariest thing: Andreu the Blade Runner.
  • 4 1
 All great runs. Brendon for me though as it was the most 'rampage'.

Is Rampage having a bit of an identity crisis? It's awesome, but some of the lines, although they are insane, look like a perfectly sculpted dirt jump line. Joyride on the side of a mountain?
  • 6 1
 Tricks are for kids... Originally for the win!! Brendog should have won hands down. Keep tricks to slopestyle and gnarly lines for Rampage. Same old story.
  • 3 1
 It is unimportant if these people could have ridden each other lines. This event is meant to bring together slopestyle, DH, and plenty of guys who just want to have fun. Sure Brendan didn't do too many tricks, but he is a Dh rider. His line easily required the most balls and I doubt that Semunuk, Rheeder, or any of the slope guys could have ridden it with as much flow, at that speed, with the canyon gap backflip. Even if it wasn't the best he deserves the first place. He was willing to give up what is possibly his last run in rampage for Jordie.
  • 4 1
 Brendog was the most enjoyable for me, beautiful fusion of free ride and tricks. Lacondeguy’s unintentional free ride section the champagne moment. Semenuk is king though....
  • 4 2
 Looking at the score of the poll one has to ask what are the judges using as there criteria? What are there biases and or influences? Perhaps the judges have lost or never had the understanding of what the Rampage origins were.
  • 2 4
 All of the judges are former rampage competitors. Judging criteria is:
air and amplitude
tricks and style
line choice
speed and fluidity

I think the more valid question is how many of the voters have actually been to Rampage and seen it in person? Everyone I know that has attended the last two rampages seems to have similar views to the judges. I think Pinkbikers need to either go to Rampage and see it in person, or quit armchair quarterbacking.

Fairclough's run this year was very impressive and scored completely fairly. He probably maxed out on line choice and speed and fluidity, but that's only half the equation at rampage. Semenuk flat drop flipping on to a lily pad is absolutely insane. His line choice was creative, he rode it with speed and fluidity and his tricks were banger. Rheeder also had a great line, big air and of course impressive tricks. Same with TVS. All of the riders know the judging criteria. I think the judges pretty much nailed it this year. I just wish Lacondeguy had made it into the finish corral on two wheels!
  • 2 0
 Just as stoked about the new guard comin up as I've been about the vet riders. I've turned so many people onto rampage
over the years. The stoke in our house every fall, is so major, waiting for this end of season big show. Thank you red bull.
Please keep upping the quality of this production to keep up with the skill level these riders have shown. As for the mtb industry?....they're no doubt just scratching their heads...trying to figure out how to capitalize on this. And thats futile, cause free ride has always been a younger rider driven evolution.
  • 4 0
 Just watched the reply and thought Brendan’s run was the most exciting and was on par with semenuk’s if not better !
  • 5 0
 Strait's second run was my personal favourite. Just because it was.
  • 2 0
 In the way that the Kelly McGarry award is given for what he is remembered by - his spirit for the sport - I reckon Jordie Should have an award in his honour for the rider with the gnarliest/highest risk trick/line.
  • 3 0
 I think Brendog's run was fantastic and should have put him on the podium, but for sheer flat out balls-to-the-wall for both runs, Lacondeguy takes it for me.
  • 11 8
 It's all getting a bit dull now it's a slopestyle competition with perfectly manicured jumps
  • 1 0
 would have loved to see someone take on Jordie's line from last year (which he never completed his run). everyone was talking about how insane it was going to be, but too bad he wasn't feeling well. Frown
  • 2 0
 If Lacondeguy kept wheels rubber side down on that run it would have been game over. That shit had me on my feet screaming at my TV.
  • 1 0
 I would like to provide an answer but my satellite internet connection has been torpedoed by the weather and watching video is just not happening...damn it!
  • 2 1
 Looked like a lot of lines got really blown out by time competition started, so quite sketchy riding loose landings But best Rampage yet!
  • 3 0
 That Brendon Fairclaw fellow gets my vote.
  • 1 0
 fuckin knew Bredog would be miles ahead of anyone else. although he scored pretty well, still shoulda been on the podium at least.
  • 2 0
 Brendog was definitely the best run in my opinion, although I think Andreu would have been my favorite had he finished it
  • 2 0
 why didnt Johny Salido ride??
  • 11 3
 He went for the burrito, when he should have had a Salido
  • 7 0
 @Dropthedebt: a big f*ck you buddy
  • 2 0
 He had a crash in last practice and made the decision to go to the hospital. - his insta story
  • 1 0
 According to Transition he ruptured his Sommer during practice. Not sure if it was yesterday (Thursday) or today before the event.
  • 1 0
 @dirtnapped: I couldn’t figure out what a “sommer” was, so I did some googling. Turns out he punctured his spleen. Total bummer.
  • 1 0
 @Unrealityshow: thanks for translating my fat fingering. Major bummer though.
  • 1 2
 Judging was at an all time high this time around. The results speak for themselves. Lacondeguy got the scoring he deserved but that was a hell of a fun ride to watch! Both times!
  • 4 3
 Brendogs was my favourite to watch but I think Semenuk deserved the win . Thought Rheeders score was too high ,
  • 1 0
 What happened to Johnny Salido? He just kind of disappeared from the contest.
  • 1 0
 Injured..video on his insta! Ruptured some internals..minor stuff but still not cool
  • 1 0
 Emil ftw. That was one heck of a load of tricks on some hudge hits...in his first rampage!!! I was so impressed!
  • 3 2
 Best run Semenuk Best line Brendog
  • 1 1
 Can someone tell my why 12 people voted for Bievenido? I mean, cool, you tried it again... but the best run? Really?
  • 1 0
 Go go go
  • 3 4
 semenuk. winner. hands down. brendog close and laconduguy is sickness regardless of position.
  • 1 0
 Lacondeguys 2nd
  • 13 15
 Brendog got robbed, as usual. If Lacondeguy had landed that flatspin it would have been over IMHO.
  • 4 0
 I agree with Andreu - it was heart breaking to see Andreu come up short on that 2nd run. That was a winner for sure.
I think all the judges maybe except for "you gotta go big" Bender, would never let Brendog take the win - It's really the slope style guys event - Brendan is an outsider. Would love to see these guys join Hardline - Andreu is no slouch in the speed department.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.048411
Mobile Version of Website