Pinkbike Poll: Who Will Win Red Bull Rampage 2021?

Oct 11, 2021 at 5:31
by James Smurthwaite  
Jaxson Riddle rides the course during the Red Bull Rampage in Virgin Utah USA on 10 October 2021.
Christian Pondella / Red Bull Content Pool

After a year's hiatus, the world's biggest freeride event is back and riders and their dig teams have been hard at work all week transforming rugged cliffs into (somewhat) ridable lines ahead of the big show tomorrow.

Rampage is famously hard to predict with a combination of conditions, running order and sometimes indecipherable judging all coming into play to decide the winner. This year's field includes returning champions in Lacondeguy, Semenuk, Sorge, Zink and Strait, veterans such as Tyler McCaul, Carson Storch and Thomas Genon as well as hungry up-and-comers like Brage Vestavik and Jaxson Riddle. Every rider on the hill is in with a shot if they can overcome their demons and stomp their line and we couldn't be more pumped for the big show to kick off.

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

Who Will Win Red Bull Rampage 2021?



Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

187 Comments
  • 440 10
 Whos going to win? Semenuk. Who do I want to win? Brage
  • 77 9
 #MVDPWILLGETROBBED
  • 8 4
 @fantaman: yes indeed, #MVDPWILLGETROBBED
  • 54 1
 Semenuk is the obvious answer, but Brage is the people's choice! Go Brage!!
  • 64 3
 If Lacondeguy can get out of surgery quick enough and get back on course, he’ll take it.
  • 13 10
 I don't think Semenuk is so obvious winner.
  • 32 5
 I think people are forgetting about Semenuk's major weakness which is, he doesn't care about winning. He only cares about stomping his dream run. I'm betting on him making a minor mistake, washing out or just tipping over doing something insane like a cork 720 barspin on his monsterous step up/hip. Carson Storch has my bet of winning.
  • 30 55
flag skimtb1 FL (Oct 14, 2021 at 7:44) (Below Threshold)
 It's amazing how hard 95% of pinkbike swings off of Brandon's nuts
  • 2 1
 Exactly!
  • 5 13
flag laceloop (Oct 14, 2021 at 8:16) (Below Threshold)
 @theedon: andreu broke his collar bone that is a minimum 6-8 week injury. he wont be riding at this years rampage
  • 28 0
 That went over your head smoother than Lacondeguy’s dumped 3 from his winning run at the 2014 event. @laceloop:
  • 9 0
 @skimtb1: I think the problem is that the question is who WILL win not who do you WANT to win. Just sayin
  • 4 7
 @scott-townes: @scott-townes: realy he doesent care , why he always when he didnt win or was second , playing crying primadona on podium ....if he jumps from mars i dont care ...he has nuts and skils but i never like his aditude on podium when he was not winner sorry ...
  • 7 3
 @agvlt: I don't care about a rider's attitude in situations we will never experience, especially when they're pushing the sport in such a positive way. You shouldn't either unless you're a fan of trash like TMZ.
  • 6 0
 Brage is gonna win or he's gonna crash. Either way, he'll be winning people's choice.
  • 3 0
 @skimtb1: what’s amazing is he could still pull tricks with someone hanging from his nuts
  • 1 0
 @scott-townes: carson broke his collarbone today Frown
  • 1 0
 @shandtke: I saw! I'm so gutted for him but really glad it wasn't worse. That was a bad crash.
  • 2 0
 @theedon: fair enough. right over my head. completely missed it like jaxson riddle jumping off a science muesem.
  • 192 2
 I don't see an option for Van Der Poel
  • 77 0
 As long as no one takes away his ramp, he'll find a way!
  • 46 0
 I'd like to see another front flip
  • 4 1
 MVP!
  • 6 1
 @bikeboy100: How is this not comment of the year already
  • 24 0
 Someone please photoshop Mvdp in a Rampage setting
  • 3 0
 because he is so good
  • 5 0
 What's up with the MVDP jokes, i clearly missed something
  • 4 0
 @laupe: He is so good because he donthaveadropper
  • 3 0
 @donthaveadropper: But i am stupid and still don't get the whole thing
  • 3 0
 Confirmed he is taking Lacondeguy's spot, so just assume a vote for him is a vote for MVDP
  • 3 0
 @Caiokv: nah he is still going because the lycra pads stopped him from breaking any thing.
  • 3 0
 @Caiokv: That's what we all needed, perfect
  • 2 0
 @laupe: apparently there was a ramp in practice runs which was taken out at race day (xc). And the he went raw on it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y0TKiP-fTY
  • 81 0
 The fact that Andreu is in the poll and people are voting for him makes me chuckle. Heal up soon bro.
  • 11 1
 86% of people who first read the comments and then vote, will vote Lacondeguy. (I just did.)
  • 14 0
 One can still vote for him, knowing he’s out. We have to mess up the figures somehow, otherwise PB will sell them to…. Wait a minute…
  • 3 0
 Outside+ haters option.
  • 4 0
 Make an online poll, and give me a voting option that's logically impossible... I'll vote for it 200% of the time.
  • 72 1
 Semenuk won the second he turned up with a single crown fork. Wonder what's needed to beat a tail whip or bar spin combo??
  • 140 0
 ride it down on a gravel bike
  • 27 3
 @f00bar: Nah bro, if someone showed up on a gravel bike, people would complain about rampage being too soft... oh wait..
  • 8 7
 Slopestyle!!!!
  • 8 0
 @f00bar: Or a fatbike?
  • 6 0
 @Jacquers: you get a mm of travel from the tires!
  • 1 1
 I really want to know that forks setup! lol It has to feel fully locked out if you bounce on it in the pits.....
  • 5 0
 @f00bar: Unicycle next year or go home.
  • 4 0
 @glasvagas Rogatkin might have had something to say about it
  • 4 5
 yea, that is very true, obviously he still needs to get to the corral. Anyway it might be very hard to judge. Its nothing against Brandon because he always delivers but theoretically speaking I can imagine that people here would be super unhappy if future Rampage's results will be determined by the number of barspinns in a run ( i.e. we have identical runs but someone has singe crown and he can win by a tiny margin just because he pulled an x-up)
  • 4 0
 @conoat: It's probably 180-190 mm travel so not too much less than a dual crown
  • 3 1
 @wellsb: it is certainly 190. that said, a DC fork at 200mm(or 210+ depending on make), still feels different than a similarly sized SC. you have much more space for air chambers and compression/rebound circuits that they are far more tunable than today's SC forks are. I would wager to get the bottom out control necessary for Rampage, he is running max spacers, a custom compression tune, as well as about 9% sag. lol
  • 7 1
 @danielfloyd: or an E-Bike, riding the course uphill..
  • 3 3
 @danielfloyd: Its so manicured you probably could ride it on a gravel bike Wink /s
  • 4 19
flag FarmerJohn (Oct 14, 2021 at 7:17) (Below Threshold)
 single crown= slopestyle
  • 1 0
 @f00bar: gotta save something for 2022
  • 6 2
 @johnyyy: what if two people, both having dual crowns, rode the same run? Somebody would be declared winner because their whip was more sideways or they did an extra flip. It’s the same thing and a straw man argument. More flavor in a run, more points. Doesn’t matter if it’s a whip, tail whip, flip, spin, x-up, etc.
  • 2 0
 Yeah, as soon as I saw that he had a singlecrown I knew he would win. I prefer the big raw lines, but I can also appreciate the skill that Semenuk brings to Rampage as well...will be interesting to see how it all plays out on Friday! #excited
  • 4 0
 @f00bar: Think Godziek could pull that off.
  • 4 0
 @f00bar: van der poel
  • 1 1
 @dungeonbeast: that's tehnique, I am just wondering about difference in bikes that allow you to outperform other riders
  • 73 3
 Did anybody ever really care who won at Rampage? I’ve been watching it for a dozen years, and the least interesting thing to me always was the leaderboard.
  • 17 14
 It’s totally irrelevant. The judges are always pretty poor which is understandable considering they’re about four miles away from the action and have personally relationships with all the riders which no doubt effects the scoring and nobody really pays attention to them or takes them seriously anymore, whoever wins the fan vote is generally considered the real winner by the community anyway so why not get rid of the judges and just let the fans vote?
  • 25 4
 @thenotoriousmic:
Yo really? Big Grin
You really think that the fans (who never been to Rampage, only see the lines through smartphone displays, probably never been real freeriding) are able to judge the contest better, than Rampage veterans (who know the venue, know every line, are pioneers of the sport) better?
Mike Kazimers article sums it up pretty good, let the riders & judges do their thing & enjoy the show!
  • 11 0
 Legit. You hit the nail on the head here. This whole event, from the builds, through the practice runs, to the final sends, is just full throttle stoke. Love it all. Leaderboard doesn't really matter to me that much, these dudes are all animals.
  • 6 10
flag thenotoriousmic (Oct 14, 2021 at 7:44) (Below Threshold)
 @felix1999: Yes absolutely. If your about to drop in would you want your performance judged by your predecessor who’s place you took and forced into retirement sat at the bottom of the mountain watching your run with a pair of binoculars? Or thousands of fans without bias watching the even close up in 4K? This isn’t the first rampage. We have 20 plus years of poor judging to point at where the fans have been pretty accurate and consistent.
  • 10 1
 @thenotoriousmic: bro WTF are you talking about? Have you even listened to, or talked to, or met any of these guys? You think Gully and Kinrade or anyone else that's been in that booth has bitter biscuits right now about Rampage? You're an insane person. The judges' skillset and experience alone way out qualifies them over Mr. "I just bought a bike during COVID". They also have talked about how shitty it is to make these decisions given the risk, sacrifice, and work that all these dudes put into this event, and more so given that they know them all well. This isn't celebrity judging on a tv talent show man. Get real.
  • 3 7
flag thenotoriousmic (Oct 14, 2021 at 9:46) (Below Threshold)
 @Sweatypants: You’re deluded or extremely naive to actually believe that and it’s not just an issue with rampage it’s universal among events that require judging from the Olympics to the X games, there’s always bias and politics clouding the result and at the end of the day it’s just the opinion of four guys and unfortunately for you I’ve got 20 years of bad judging to back my argument, it was only a few months ago a group of judges tried to give semenuk the X games win and the community intervened and correctly awarded Brage the win.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: and you think viewers are not bias about their favorite rider?? Serioulsy!!
  • 4 3
 @thenotoriousmic:
Bro, what the hell are you even talking about man?! Big Grin
I can’t get over the fact that a couch potato really says his opinion is worth more than Benders, Gully’s, Chases, Vinks, Barbers,… haha
Man please explain to me what YOU have done to the sport & how that justifies your opinion being worth more than the judges!
  • 3 3
 @felix1999: It’s not worth more just the same and instead of having four votes you have hundreds or thousands. Nothing I’m saying will sound that crazy to anyone who skates or rides bmx where the sports have moved away from judged competition on a whole into more of a jam format where the fans or attendees at smaller events decide on who had the best run, best trick, style etc. It just works better like that and the fans and riders all seem happier with the results unlike rampage when someone gets robbed every year.
  • 3 2
 @thenotoriousmic:
You really don’t know what you are talking about. Which bmx event is Fan judged? Yeah, almost none. With real bmx it is the same. You have a judges team with established bmx riders & then you have the fan favourite.
Your point is pretty much none sense.
Still can’t get over the fact that you say a bunch of internet bullies are more able to judge an event like rampage.
  • 2 4
 @felix1999: pretty much every bmx event I’ve been to over the last 20 years. I can count on one hand how many times an event was judged. It just doesn’t happen anymore other than at really small grass root events or really big corporate events.

Like I said before the judges tried to give semunuk the x games win and the community had to step in to give Brage the win. Perfect example of poor biased judging and the community or internet bullies getting it right for the thousandth time.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic:
Bro, 100% you are straight up talking pure bull shit Big Grin
Every bmx event is not fan judged! Please for god sake tell me one big bmx event which is only Fan judged.
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic: Brage is the perfect example of fan bias, people love the underdog, the new up and coming rider and will give him the win for being more raw or whatever they thought. But Semenuk make it looks so easy than we forget how good he is, judges see that fans dont.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: to that point... you'd already hand Semenuk the medal right now as long as he stays on his bike, if the PB poll was an indication, and irrelevant to what anyone else does. You want the people to intervene again? To say subjective sport judging is void of human bias is of course not true, people are people, but you're being absurd.
  • 3 2
 @felix1999: Name one event that isn’t decided by the percipients other than the X games? Last one I went to Ali Whitton won that’s how long ago it was. All events are run Jam format where the riders and spectators decide who wins. There was a huge backlash against judged events years ago for the reasons I’ve previously mentioned. You can’t deny that the judging at rampage over the years has been poor and why does it need to be judged anyway? I think we can all agree there’s no losers at rampage. It would be so much better if it was run like a bmx event, I suggest you go to a few and see how it works yourself.
  • 2 1
 @ybsurf: Agree to disagree there. Brage clearly had the better edit. Justice was done in the end.
  • 2 1
 @Sweatypants: That makes no sense at all. He’s not even dropped in yet. I voted for semenuk, why would you bet on anyone else? Doesn’t mean he’s getting my vote for best run… yet.
  • 3 0
 This is by far the most PB navel gazing ever perfomed during a Rampage week. Every conversation has been had 20-30 times now. Literally(-ish) 50% of the people here think they are better qualified than RB to define what Rampage should be. It's just a bloody show and a spectacle, like a play or a gig. Shit will happen and it'll be mostly amazing (wind notwithstanding).
Listen, there are lots of build-up videos. They are exciting and life affirming and the lenses make everything seem even huger. Just watch them, thank the Lord and go about your day.
  • 3 1
 @BenPea: it’s not that serious dude, just some bike nerds chatting shit on a pointless webpage.
  • 3 0
 @thenotoriousmic: I know, I'm one of 'em! These subjectivity contests get old fast though and I can't stay away from the comment section because of the dopamine hits it procures.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic:
Still don’t know which events you are talking about Big Grin
Look it up dude, almost all of them are not fan judged (Xgames, Battle of Hastings, simple session, Fise world cups, Vans Pro cup,..)
  • 38 3
 BRAGE GOT ROBBED!
  • 29 1
 I just want to watch brage!
  • 22 3
 I think the sponsors will win
  • 17 10
 also insuline manufactures....someone has to fix all the DABEETUS after a life of RedBull. #redbullgivesyouobesity
  • 14 0
 I dont see how Semenuk loses unless he falls… ya cant deny Sem’s style & smoothness. Holy balls - makes it look easy. IToo easy to blow off as the Tony Hawk or Sean White of biking: they rule because they truly rule.

But Id love to see Brage take it - itll be badass just to see him ride. But really, to even get 15-20 of these guys onscreen for this is more than we deserve. They all f*cking rule
  • 1 0
 Tony Hawk is slopestyle too
  • 1 0
 @Dogl0rd: Hmmm, missing yr point? I grew up skating til I just couldn't anymore - saw riding then well before & well into Hawk (still watch boarding & love it)...have no regrets at all about the progression & still, that oldschool pool vibe. Missing what ya mean I guess.
  • 1 0
 @Mtn-Goat-13: sorry I I was just being obnoxious. But Tony Hawk really is like Semenuk in a lot of ways, both for the reasons people feel him and don't feel him. Any time so.eone wins too much people will get grumpy and for both good and bad reasons
  • 21 4
 LETS GO BRANDON!!!
  • 11 1
 Godziek could surprise us all and take the win, he is sooo dependable and has so much bike control and tricks. Semenuk's run will be the most risky and although he's not human, the slightest mistake would be definitive... I think Brage has no options but his run is going to be WILD. I'm looking forward to it.
  • 1 0
 He gets my vote for those reasons! His runs are always exciting to watch. I thought Brendog had the best run last time, but I'm not a judge.
  • 6 1
 Semenuk on paper you'd bet on him all day long, but this is Rampage, anything can happen.

And with all the talk of 'robberies' and keeping in the 'spirit' if Rampaging in recent years are the judges actually going to look at the level of sketchy AF gnar lines this time rather than smooth flow, 360 backflips and bar spin lines? Could be anyone's year.
  • 13 1
 this is the first time youre gonna see barspins in rampage bud, and semenuks backflip on a flat drop to lilly pad landing was the highlight of his 2019 winning run, doesnt get much more "sketchy AF gnar" than that.
  • 3 8
flag bigmeatpete420 (Oct 14, 2021 at 7:14) (Below Threshold)
 People did that literally 15 years ago. @whitebullit:
  • 3 0
 @whitebullit: not the first time. Go look at the original rampages. Semunuk is also not the first to bring a single crown.
  • 3 1
 this is the first ive heard of barspins at rampage, who's done them before? and no shit hes not the first on a singlecrown, thanks guys, smh.
  • 2 0
 @kroozctrl: yeah but he will definitely be the first to throw a massive backflip tailwhip in rampage.
  • 11 3
 BENDER!!!!! He's the biggest winner of rampage and will always be.
  • 2 0
 What I seem to remember from Bender's video's is that he never won. Always seemed like he lost against any drop he tried. True legend of the sport, and was my favourite rider at the time though, progressed the young sport like noone else.
  • 4 0
 The wind and weather are fantastic, riders having great runs. But one competitor has yet to ride....suddenly dark clouds form overhead. Lightning flashes. A heavy rain starts to fall. Now, with the conditions just right, it is time. The Earth at the top of the start gate shakes. A figure rises from the mud. Horns slowly grow from his helmet. His viking hair grows 3 inches longer and Brage prepares to drop into the perfect darkness...
  • 7 0
 Who will win prob semenuk...but rooting for that kid JAXON
  • 1 0
 $10 he definitely gets riders choice (as well as a podium)
  • 3 0
 @nojzilla: Think he's gonna have to fight with Brage for that riders choice award and I don't think he can beat that dude up.
  • 3 0
 I feel like Zink has something up his sleeve. He has been really hush hush. Cam is going to go off and prove that he is still one of the top dogs!
  • 2 1
 I just want to see what Brage has in store for us as he has gone, new, steep and natural then into big features. If nobody else does NEW, then they dont deserve to win! Creativity and Amplitude come from doing something new.
  • 5 0
 Poll should be who's coming second!
  • 1 0
 Everyone saying Brandon but like I honestly don’t see it happening. I picture cam, Kyle, Sorge pulling something out. I feel like it’s always the person getting less attention just shocks everyone. Also know one really knows what brage is going to do hahah.
  • 1 0
 While I understand the need to judge events like this, I consider every fing one of these dudes to be a winner. I can think of no higher honor than to say to someone "I completed a run in the Redbull Rampage" Gladiators...every fing one of 'em
  • 4 0
 Jaxson Riddle is being way underestimated
  • 1 0
 Since Andreu is out, I'm going with Brandon... That tailwhip drop is a game changer.. Would like to see Sorge get the win, but I have a feeling Brandon has a few more new tricks up his sleeve..
  • 1 0
 The viewers win, as we get to see some fantastic riding regardless of where one sits on the manicured vs. all natural debate. Its almost like, "Tastes Great!" vs. "Less Filling!"
  • 2 0
 Can't believe nobody mention 2017 winner Kurt sorge dude is freeride ...James doerfling where u at e be missing those huge cliff drops
  • 2 0
 Brandon seems to be the favorite but I'm always rooting for Cam Zink and Kyle Strait. Let's go!
  • 3 0
 I was rooting for Brett Rheader until he canceled
  • 3 0
 Wouldn't say he canceled. Dude got hurt.
  • 5 1
 who ever the judges pick
  • 3 0
 you're not a pencil but you got a point!
  • 3 0
 We're pulling for Storch and Riddle and we can't wait!
  • 2 0
 La Friiiiitttttte (the nick of Thomas Genon) with mayonnaise and few belgian trappist beers always win!
  • 2 0
 I don't think any rider that had to start a line from scratch this year has a shot.
  • 2 0
 @skimtb1: Ya, disappointing to see with so many new riders in the field.
  • 1 0
 I’m saying Tom Van Steenbergen! He’s podiumed before, has a deep bag of tricks including dh bike flat drop flips, and wants to win.
  • 1 0
 I chose him for number 3, but he is pretty incredible and reliable.
  • 1 0
 To make it fair I think they need to give Brendan Fairclough the win this year. no less unfair and at least it fixes things up a bit. Otherwise scoring remains unaddressed
  • 2 0
 Nell, cause he's a Utah local
  • 2 0
 A bike will win, without a bike these guys are nothing
  • 3 0
 1. Brett Tippie!!
  • 2 0
 The Director of Good Times!!
  • 1 0
 Poor Tyler McCaul. He's such a ripper but it never feels like it's his year.
  • 5 2
 tom pidcock win
  • 4 4
 @fantaman: pidcock would die
  • 6 0
 @moondustdictator: for those who are not in context - “I’m always doing things to improve my skills,” Pidcock said in an interview with mountain bike magazine mbr.co.uk. “On my bucket list it says ride a DH [downhill] World Cup, and it also says ride Red Bull Rampage. It looks small on TV …”, the young professional added, likely with a bit of dry British humour about the world’s most extreme mountain bike event.
  • 1 0
 @ilyamaksimov: lol that would be the day
  • 1 0
 I truly thought it would be Andreu's year. Another year. Maybe he'll still win people's choice.
  • 2 0
 Gary Busey FTW - dude's an animal!
  • 3 0
 The weather will win.
  • 2 0
 Two days ago I would have voted Andreu
  • 2 0
 Now do a poll on who’s going to get robbed.
  • 1 0
 I think Brage has a chance if his run is clean. Otherwise, Semenuk will take it.
  • 1 0
 The bigger question is not who is going to win Rampage, but what do I win for getting picking the winner of Rampage?
  • 1 0
 Brage might die, his line is so F***ing big I just sh*t myself thinking about it
  • 1 0
 At this point it's a race for second, we all know Semenuk is going to win. I'm rooting for Brage Vestavik in second
  • 1 0
 I think we all know why Semenuk is going to win, he has a tail-whip able bike
  • 1 0
 Shout out to the homies voting Andreu, whether they know he's out or not. Can't wait for Brage's run.
  • 1 0
 Cam Zink and Andreu are out Frown my two favorite pick.
Let's go Kyle Strait
  • 1 0
 1 Godziek 2 Nell 3 Van Steenbergen
  • 1 0
 how's about running a second poll with who would you like to win ???
  • 1 0
 Nino has been saving himself for Rampage...
  • 2 0
 Mathieu Van Der Poel
  • 1 0
 Semenuk is gonna backflip tailwhip the big drop for the win.
  • 1 0
 Brage deserves to win after coming second in the Xgames edit!
  • 1 0
 Write-in option for Fairclough?
  • 1 0
 I'm going for Kyle Strait seeing as how Greg Minnaar is world champ.
  • 1 0
 Arrrrrrr!!
  • 1 0
 The last man standing?
  • 7 6
 LETS GO BRANDON
  • 7 6
 LET'S GO BRANDON
  • 1 0
 GODZIEK!
  • 1 0
 The judges have spoken!
  • 1 0
 1 Semenuk 2 Sorge 3 Nell
  • 1 0
 Benderoni
  • 1 1
 Was gonna say Chappetta but…oh wait.
  • 1 2
 The 4th rider in the list!
  • 2 3
 Repeat course next year... And it'll call for a down country bike.
  • 2 4
 Aaron won't Gwin! Ok, that was bad! I have way too much free time!
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