The 2014 Redbull Rampage had all the makings of a stellar event; an all-new venue, a roster of top athletes, and a budget from a company that sends people to space. However, Mother Nature had other plans.
Teams began showing up in Virgin, Utah over a week ago to start construction on the lines that would hopefully lead them to victory. Each rider was allowed a small team of builders to construct a line down the mountainside on which their runs would be judged. The premise of this year’s event was to return to the roots of Rampage, where man-made features were limited and it was just man and his machine doing battle with the natural environment.
The teams welcomed light wind and cool temps as they picked, packed, and carved runs onto Mt. Rampage. Midway through the week, the venue began to take shape and it seemed that this would be a formidable course to prove just who is the best freeride mountain biker. Features like the Go Pro Step Down, The Polaris RZR Hip, and the imposing 70-foot canyon gap were built to enable riders to add that extra bit of flare to their lines. These features were located on the mid and lower portions of the course and each athlete had to figure out a way to access them and link them into a winning run. Yes, it all looked perfect as the Qualifiers approached on Friday, but then, it began to rain…
Of the two dozen or so riders vying for a spot in the finals, only about half of the field was able to complete their second qualifying run. Storm clouds built up and hurled lightning bolts towards the venue. As the thunder rolled on, the riders rolled into their respective pits to seek shelter and wait for a break that never came.
The heavens opened up and laid siege to the mountain for the next 24 hours and nearly all hope was lost. It seemed eerily similar to last year’s anti-climactic finish where the event was shut down due to wind half way through the finals. The nerves of the competitors were already shot from having spent countless hours prepping and trying not to die whilst they sent it over inhospitable terrain. The hopes and dreams of so many appeared to be washing away with the red Virgin dirt.
Riders like slope-style magician Brett Rheeder were sitting pretty with a solid qualifying run, but riders Geoff Gulevich and James Doerfling were perched on the bubble, waiting for a chance to solidify their positions. The Internet was abuzz with tweets and texts and speculation on how it would all come to pass. Kamloops, Canada native Graham Agassiz was favored in qualifying, but his spectacular crash on his first drop of his first run dashed his dreams. Would he get a chance at redemption was the question on everyone’s lips.
By Sunday morning the skies had cleared and golden light flooded the east faces of the venue. Riders rushed to the course to see what kind of destruction had been wrought on their handy work. Fortunately, it was only the transitions and landings that had been damaged, and after a few hours of shoveling all was right with the world. In tremendous fashion, Agassiz stomped his line and qualified first overall. His next test would come in the finals where he would join his brethren on a global stage. The remainder of the qualis went off without incident and the fortunate few returned to the top for a couple of practice runs to prepare for Monday’s final.
A restless sleep under a starry sky kept riders thinking of drops, spins, flips, and whips that would put them on the podium. Beautiful as it may seem, the mountain doesn’t care how good you are, if you slip up, it will strike you down. This was evident when news broke the Agassiz would not compete in the finals due to an injured MCL he sustained during Sunday evening’s practice. His reserve and ability to pull the plug when he wasn’t 110% is the hallmark of a true champion. We will anxiously wait to see his return in 2015.
The remaining 20 riders, 10 from qualifying and 10 pre-qualified, made their way to the top of the venue. Each man had poured his heart and soul into creating a masterpiece, and it was now time to lay it all down and see who was left standing when the dust settled.
Standing in the starting gate, one can only imagine what must be going through a competitor’s head. Ace the line and be a hero, blow a turn and you’ll be lucky to walk again. It’s simply amazing what this sport has become and how these guys lay it all down in front of God and country for only a small purse. Sure it means everlasting mountain biking fame, but at what cost?
For those watching at home, work, and school, the suspense was tangible and its incredible to see the spectators this event draws each year. The wick was lit and the bomb was about to explode.
Rider after rider put down high-speed, death defying runs that would make Evel Knievel cringe. Brett Rheeder laid down a solid line that incorporated a step-up back flip, a step-down 360, and a massive back flip over the RZR Hip. His run put him in first place, but only for a short while. Perennial favorite and 2010 Rampage victor Cam Zink threw down a massive drop up top followed by a 50-foot 360 that landed him in first place for a moment. But then, with all his guns blazing, Andreu Lacondeguy torched a run that will live on as one of the best Rampage has ever seen. His first 20-foot drop lined him up with ridiculous amounts of speed that carried him into a massive hip whip. Next, he flung himself over the gigantic drop that he and Agassiz had carved. He stomped the 75-foot landing and cruised into the final feature. With miles of style, Lacondeguy hucked a corked back flip in a way that only he can. Crossing the finish line, his excitement was evident as cheers echoed off the canyon walls. After four years of finishing fourth place, it seemed that he had reached the top spot.
It was now up to Freeride Mountain Bike Tour leader Brandon Semenuk to try and raise the bar. His run was impressive and he delivered a stellar performance worthy of his many titles. However, it was not enough to unseat Lecondeguy. After all was said and done, Lacondeguy opted out of his final run and cautiously made his way down course, amping up the crowd along the way.
This year’s Redbull Rampage was one for the ages and it overcame nearly every force of nature to reach completion. For the top three, Lacondeguy, Zink, and Semenuk, it was a moment of triumph that will not be eclipsed for years to come. Creating, controlling, and owning their destiny is what leads riders to this event and the enjoyment they experience makes all the sacrifice worth it.
Check out www.redbull.com/rampage for all the video footage. And don’t forget to tune in on December 27th to watch the event as part of the Redbull Signature Series on NBC.
Here are the final standings:
1. Andreu Lacondeguy – ESP – 25 (YT) – 95.25
2. Cam Zink – USA – 28 (YT) – 89.50
3. Brandon Semenuk – CAN – 23 (Trek) – 89.25
4. Kyle Strait – USA – 27 (GT) – 89.00
5. Brett Rheeder – CAN – 21 (Trek) – 88.50
6. Kyle Norbraten – CAN – 28 (Specialized) – 82.75
7. Jeff Herbertson – USA – 25 (Pivot) – 82.50
8. Brendan Fairclough – GBR – 27 (Scott) – 77.25
9. Paul Basagoitia – USA – 27 (Scott) – 76.50
10. Mitch Chubey – CAN – (Morpheus) – 76.25
11. Szymon Godziek – POL – 22 (Dartmoor) – 76.00
12. Kelly McGarry – NZL – 32 (Diamond Back) – 73.25
13. Thomas Genon BEL – 21 (Canyon) – 71.50
14. Louis Reboul – FRA – 21 (Scott) – 70.75
15. Carson Storch – USA – 21 (Diamond Back) – 69.25
16. Pierre Edouard Ferry – FRA – 32 (Commencial) – 67.50
17. Geoff Gulevich – CAN – 27 (Rocky Mountain) – 66.00
18. Ramon Hunziker – SUI – 29 (Trek) – 37.75
19. Tom van Steenbergen – CAN – 18 (Trek) – 35.00
20. Mike Montgomery – USA – 27 (Mongoose) – 24.00
Best Trick – Cam Zink
People’s Choice Award – Brandon Semenuk