Must Watch: Brage Vestavik Returns with a Techy Freeride Banger

May 9, 2022 at 7:14
by James Smurthwaite  

bigquotesAfter a long Norwegian winter of hibernation, Brage Vestavik is back and stacking clips with Blur Media.—Marzocchi

bigquotesI feel honored to be working with such an iconic brand! After a long winter of shoulder rehab and digging deep in the woods for some future projects, it was good to finally be back on the bike and stack clips with Blur again. It's always exciting to shoot in Norway at that time of the year. We really had to spend some time to scope and find new natural lines in different areas where things wasn’t frozen. It was fun to go for a lot of raw stuff, remove some leaves and make it work. «NÅ» is all about going out there and doing it! Find the possibilities that are hidden in plain sight!—Brage Vestavik


Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles
Must Read This Week
Yeti Releases SB120 Lunch Ride
53220 views
Red Bull Releases Statement on a Women's Category at Rampage
44452 views
First Ride: Merida One-Sixty FR
40277 views
Interview: Vaea Verbeeck on Women Competing at Red Bull Rampage
34417 views
Results: Downhill at the US Open 2023
33634 views
Getting to Know the Young & Very Fast Asa Vermette
31201 views
Photo Story: Off Season with Emmy Lan
27547 views
Results: DH Qualifying at the US Open 2023
27463 views

114 Comments
  • 233 17
 Brage still got robbed. Never gonna let this one go X-Games.
  • 37 210
flag wolftwenty1 (May 9, 2022 at 9:01) (Below Threshold)
 Nah. He didn't
  • 124 3
 Semenuk is so smooth and precise and Brage is pure adrenaline. Brage's video was so much more entertaining and dangerous. He shot it in the worst riding conditions yet hit it perfectly. The readers gave him 1st place by over 60%. It wasn't even close.
  • 71 34
 I loved Vestaviks segment, but Semenuks segment was just in a different league. Every shot a banger. Vestavik brought the chaotic, gnarly energy of the old freeride days and it was cool, but Semenuk brought huge features and superhuman perfection. I think his win was well deserved.
  • 40 11
 @Muscovir: I agree. I loved Brage's segment, but Semenuk as usual was perfection. So much perfection it looked like he wasn't even trying.
  • 12 1
 Move over Von Klebelsberg, there's a new denim destroyer in town.
  • 4 7
 @MikeyMT: Please elaborate on your opinion. I'd love to hear your reasoning
  • 41 16
 @Spencermon: The mob has spoken so it doesn't really matter. Brage had the uniqueness and raw feel no doubt about it, but the Semenuk edit was superior when it came to style, cinematography, tricks as well as uniqueness of terrain. Brandan makes it look too easy thats the issue IMO...watch it again, every trick on there is insane and I'm not convinced any of the other contestants could do any of them frankly.

Brage is the modern Bender...we need guys like that. But Bender will never be Wade...know what I mean?
  • 30 7
 @MikeyMT: I think what turned me off about semenuk's edit was that you could tell he had the $$ to throw at it. It was like the dude who can race with a ferrari Vs the guy that souped up his Nissan in the garage and took it out.
  • 15 2
 @MikeyMT: Brage looks to be able to land stuff, ride tech lines, and have plenty of creativity. I'd say he's more like Wade to be honest. Bender was Bender, which is awesome but I can't think of anyone like him!
  • 27 8
 Brage's trails were built with a shovel and a rake it looks like. A significant number of features have "landings" in brush, a majority of the landings are built but only exist briefly before he is riding in brush again. Semenuk's trails, lips and landings, are as wide as a road and built by machine. When I watch these I think to myself "Would Brandon still out perform Brage if he has to land in wet brush on a steep slope?" I bet if Brage had a road wide machined landing that is eternally long, he could still pull his tricks, but I'm not sure Brandon would. I can't see Brandon plowing through a mud hole or ending his run in a creek full of water.
  • 20 2
 @MikeyMT: I guess what you see as the winning combination, I see as the problem. Yes Semenuk was flawless and his opening trick into that canyon was amazing. Cinematography was better, but all I saw was a slopestlye course. When the name of the competition is Real MTB, I relate more to Brage because that riding looks like mountain biking to me, whereas Semenuk looks more like a Slopestlye competition. I know it's not up to me to define the judging criteria. Brage did have some nice wide landings, but also had more sketchy landings, unprepared landings, sections that actually resemble a trail (you know, not 15 ft wide)

I appreciate your opinion, and I agree with your thoughts given how you prioritize the qualities shown in the videos.
  • 1 35
flag nicklands (May 9, 2022 at 12:22) (Below Threshold)
 @MikeyMT:
hahahaha ur a loser
  • 10 0
 @Spencermon: Fair points. Not taking away from Brage and his skills...dude is wild and skilled no question. I guess as far as the whole package goes, it didn't check all the marks and judges felt the same. It's the issue with all judging stuff and people get a cult following for being different which is cool. Like Jaxon this year. at Rampage..kid was super rad, but the run was nowhere near the top even though many here would argue otherwise.
  • 4 0
 @nicklands: Thanks.
  • 5 1
 @wake-n-rake: key word was 'modern' not Bender Smile

I know what you mean...but its the flawlessness of Brandon and Brett that has raised the bar. Huckers will always get attention, but even as Wade says...you can't just always go bigger.
  • 3 6
 @MikeyMT: I agree there. Semenuk did deserve the win according to the judging criteria. It's a little worrying though. It seems that the top performers like Semenuk are so far removed from normal mountain biking. To me it resembles automobiles and racing. Nascar does not resemble the cars they are based off of at all. I don't know where this thought is going, but it made sense in my head. Somehow that relates to mtb and glorifying the unattainable. I'd prefer to drive a Mazda Miata than a McLaren 720.
  • 10 3
 @Spencermon: I agree. Its why I don't watch slopestyle anymore...it's too boring and you can't even tell WTF they are doing.

I'd love to see set tricks for each jump...like the flat drop you can do a 360 truck combo, step up, flip whip combo, etc...and best style overall wins or something.

Its also kinda a rich get richer kinda thing...Semenuk has the best filmer, the best diggers, the best sponsors etc...its like, how can he not win. lol
  • 15 1
 @MikeyMT: I applaud your ability to take the criticism and not loose your cool. Rare these days. Cheers
  • 13 0
 @Chives09: "Those who are offended easily should seek to be offended more often" -Mark Twain probably? Smile
  • 4 0
 @MikeyMT: For what it’s worth, I’m with you. I’ve written my opinion a few times on the matter now, and you’re right. The mob has spoken, and I don’t get it.
  • 6 0
 A car comparison was mentioned above. A Formula One car and driver are ridiculously fast and arguably have no equal, but it's a bit numbing to watch after a while because they are THAT good. On the other hand, watching someone drive around the Nürburgring in a 1987 Ruf CTR Yellowbird, a car that is clearly trying to kill you all the way around the circuit is pure entertainment. If you have 16 minutes of your life to waste, this is what I mean Wink www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSMCfPASImQ
  • 4 0
 Slopestyle is becomming figure skating, nothing wrong with that. But Brage is something else.
  • 3 0
 Stop moaning guys. Brage won the people awards, and that's what counts, no?
Cool new video this. Raw and wild. Great job by Brage and Blur Media.
  • 3 0
 @wake-n-rake: That video is a no-holds-barred heart-pumping 16-minute adrenaline rush. Absolutely mad.
  • 1 0
 @wake-n-rake: I could only stand a minute or so. Terrifying.
  • 5 0
 @learningcycles: I remember Brage's video. I don't remember Semenuk's.
  • 63 0
 Dude called out all my excuses in one edit.
1) This is just too loose
2) I would but the run-out is shit
3) I would but the entry is jank
4) I won't have enough speed to clear that
5) There's no transition
6) Not enough traction on this surface
  • 10 0
 7) I’m scared
  • 51 2
 several things- this dude embodies the spirit of freeride Music is on point so fitting he rides for Marzocchi as he is recapturing the vibe of the whole NWD series...
  • 8 3
 Big Grin Marzo these days is just the marketing dept of Fox. It is not a Marzo you think of
  • 37 0
 fuck that last line looked steep even on camera. sick work team!
  • 1 0
 Big time!!
  • 36 0
 Me on the highway: pull over I gotta pee
Brage on the highway: get the camera, there's free bike park behind the guardrail
  • 32 0
 Someone’s ready for rampage
  • 13 4
 Yeah, hope he has more luck next time, maybe he just need to get a bit more mature. Anyway, his rampage future is bright, can't wait to watch him.
  • 30 2
 Incredible is that in Bentonville??
  • 3 0
 Yes.
  • 5 0
 has to be
  • 6 0
 Yes, mr. Walmart hand built all those lines by himself.
  • 3 1
 I mean: the cool thing about what Brage is doing in this video is that there’s nothing really unique or extreme about the terrain here. You could, in fact, build lines like this in Norrthwest Arkansas.

The magic is that he’s able to pick out these insane tech lines and link them together. It’s also that he has the freedom to build them in this zone.
  • 2 0
 @Hogfly: It’s true. Terrain like that exists in many places, but the city won’t allow it because they build safer trails for safer people. “Trails” that are wide enough to have a double-wide stroller and two off leash dogs. Trails that more resemble sidewalks than singletrack. The consequence is we’ve built some similar freeride lines, but those get shut down for fear of erosion. Doesn’t matter that the sheep come through every spring and destroy the foothills but it’s the MTB that take the blame.
  • 2 0
 @nicktapias: It pisses me off when people talk about erosion!! Like yes of course building lines does a little harm, but nothing close to blasting apart mountains so we can save a few minutes while driving.
  • 24 0
 How many times have you seen a rockface on the road side and imagine hitting it. Well, Brage actually just hit it!
  • 24 1
 Mini Tech Shred. Can't wait to see all the groms replicate this in their hometowns on TikTok this summer.
  • 9 0
 Brage. Goodness. Power, raw, big sends, but still adding steeze and technical skills for days.
  • 10 0
 that last line is so Hardline
  • 8 0
 Of all the amazing things Brage has done, even the x games edit, his Hardline runs are by far my favorite. Seeing a man that size go race speed... Those poor brakes. Just heavy.
  • 1 0
 @lepigpen: what brakes? B-rage just shralps to slow down
  • 8 0
 My man’s is a beast! Freeride isn’t dead!
  • 8 0
 Fucking love this guy
  • 10 4
 I want to see a Remy Metallier - Brage Vestavik collab. Both hit the gnarliest stuff but in completely different styles.
  • 1 0
 Great idea !
  • 3 0
 Man Brage sure does deliver sum brutal and exiting content
Does anybody else ever get the feeling after watching his videos there gonna be able to just go out and magically ride the dog piss outta their bike now or is it just me
sooo far, unfortunately it hasn’t really gone to plan, but Ya gotta admit the dudes one heck of an inspiration on a bike
  • 7 0
 crazy
  • 8 3
 I'll put up with a lot of shit for some Brage clips, but that corny edit was pushing me to my limits.
  • 6 0
 Barely controlled chaos. Gritty AF. More of this, fewer surveys.
  • 4 0
 So is the full edit dropping in September?


Awesome riding and production as always from Brage + Blur.
  • 5 0
 There lives a beast in the norwegian woods.
  • 5 0
 Brage is mountain biking spirit animal.
  • 5 0
 Brage has me more stoked for freeride than anything since the NWD era!
  • 1 0
 same dude--and hello buddy.
  • 27 26
 Editor robbed all of us. Take one of the only riders that actually makes mountain biking look good on video, load the video with star wipes, jump cuts, fast and slowmo, and filters for no reason. Great riding nonetheless.
  • 2 0
 Such a rad and gnarly riding video without all the crazy builds like in the Xgames part. Hope he gets a rebate at Rampage this year.
  • 3 0
 Brute strength + technical skills + finesse = Brage Vestavik

This dude blows me away.
  • 6 1
 THIS is freeride.
  • 2 0
 incredible riding and the bike is picture perfect for it. The black and red creates perfect lucifer aesthetics along with the music and obvious badassery.
  • 1 1
 Rad as hell, as always. And great to see him healed up and shredding again. That Rampage crash was gnarly...

Side note: this is the second edit where he's chosen a stoner/doom metal vibe for the music, and really works well for mtb for some reason.
  • 4 0
 Jesus...
  • 7 0
 No, Mephistofeles actually
  • 1 0
 @Barkit: Little sunshine.
  • 3 0
 Thor?
  • 2 0
 A Brage Vestavik x BlurMedia video is never not going to be a Must Watch!
  • 1 0
 Ive been trying for months to get a red Marzocchi fork with no luck. Cool video anyways.
  • 1 0
 Toughest job in the bike industry goes to...... this man's bike! Stoke levels off the charts after this edit!
  • 2 0
 Last line makes Portal in Moab look like a green trail....
  • 1 0
 Portal should be a green trail
  • 2 0
 Old school hucks with a new school helmet!
  • 2 0
 Best vids in the game right now!!
  • 1 0
 Appropriate that this edit was sponsored by a suspension company. Mad skills to keep traction on those lines.
  • 2 0
 Just awesome!! Go Brage!!
  • 2 0
 So sick. Love the 90s grunge vibe
  • 2 0
 True Norwegian Black Freeride \m/
  • 2 0
 This guy is quickly becoming my favorite rider.
  • 1 0
 its those bars....all abut the narrow barzzz looks to me those are not 800m
  • 1 0
 That last line was absolutely off the chats radical. Brage is the beast!! Congrats on the Marzocchi deal BV, you deserve it.
  • 1 0
 Where is it? I've just got an empty blank space where the video should be...
  • 2 0
 So sick
  • 2 0
 Throw down
  • 1 0
 I got to step my jean game up.
  • 2 2
 nix the slowmo! slowmo is for guys like semenuk. keep it raw and real time, that's your best shit!
  • 1 0
 Rad, thank God he doesn't ride to soppy ambient music.
  • 2 0
 name the song?
  • 4 0
 Mephistofeles - A Path of Black
  • 1 0
 @neoides: Like the super underground stoner rock band from Argentina Mephistofeles? How on earth does Brage knows these guys?!

E: se escribe con "f"...
  • 1 0
 Since I saw this I've listened to nothing else. New favourite band.
  • 1 0
 He is a crazy skilled up super bastard, make no mistake !
  • 1 0
 Part without the music was best.
  • 1 0
 Dude's amazing. He's not all there, but hot damn is he amazing!
  • 1 0
 Is Seb Stott secretly Brage with a fake beard?
  • 2 0
 Brage !!!
  • 1 0
 This makes me want to ride Platekill badly
  • 1 0
 FK YEAH DUDE!!
(was that kadavar?)
  • 1 0
 too short... more please!
  • 1 0
 Banger!!!
  • 1 0
 Aaah such a villain!
  • 1 1
 @MikeyMT:
balls
is real finna dark fo sho
you a punk
  • 1 0
 90s vibes so sick!
  • 1 0
 Brage's hips don't lie
  • 1 0
 B.A.
  • 1 0
 Cant wait for rampage22





Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv56 0.030113
Mobile Version of Website