The riders will be returning to Utah once again for the 2012 Red Bull Rampage, Oct 5-7. This area near Zion National Park is renowned for its steep cliffs and narrow gully's. The perfect terrain for a big mountain freeride event. Rampage is not for wimps, you don't get many second chances here if you screw up! The sickest riders from around the world will arrive to build their lines down these gnarly mountain faces. They don't come alone, they bring their buds to help sculpt a line down, over or through the ridges. Some share tools, ideas and lines, but the one thing they all share is a passion for big mtn. riding. Some stand at the bottom looking up in awe of where they'll try to ride, others look down from the top in fear that they can even make it down in one piece. One thing is for sure, somebody will throw down and will be crowned the Rampage winner, King of the Mountain!
Article and Photo's by Malcolm Mclaws except where noted I talked to the best freeriders in the world and asked them what they thought about Red Bull Rampage, this is what THEY had to say about the event:
 | Because this is what I want mountain biking to be known as. I am down with the dirt jumping and other aspects of the sport, but Rampage IS Mountain Biking. It is truly original and you can only ride it on a mountain bike. Going into Rampage I didn't even know where I would end up in the FMB if I were to take the win there. I had it made up in my mind that I was going to win Rampage. I felt so damn good on the DH bike at that point, I was even taking it to the dirt jumps. All in all, Rampage is what I care about and it was the most surreal year with the biggest cherry-on-top by becoming the first ever World Champion of Freeride. I am proud, relieved, and elated. It still almost seems too good to be true because nobody has ever won both, and I was lucky enough to have won both in the same year. - Cam Zink |
| Red Bull Rampage is a huge event on the 2012 calander for me purely because, in my eyes, it is one of the most prestigious events to attend. there are very few events that push our sport to such limits and encourage the riders to ride on such a fine line. I love the feeling of intimidation the event gives you, when you turn up and see the area you have to ride in, you know you're going into a battle in which if you don't give your very best, then you just might not make it out the other side. - Gee Atherton |
| Rampage really is a one of a kind event. I think it brings the best out of riders, as commitment and creative juices get combined. I'll be looking to put my shovel in the Utah dirt this year and hopefully walk away with some descents to remember. - Brandon Semenuk |
| I'm excited to tackle the Utah landscape once again. I recently was watching a sports channel where they rated Red Bull Rampage the 3rd hardest event in the world to compete in! After tasting the champagne once already on the podium, I am hungry to bring another NATURAL line.
While the event has changed a lot in the sense almost all of the main features are pre-built and are pretty straight forward. I plan to keep it original and build my own features and use the landscape. After getting robbed on my hip to quarter line last year and watching other riders steal its prestige. Let's just say I'm eager to get it on! - Steve Romaniuk |
| I can't wait for the Rampage, it's not only the biggest FreeRide event, but I think it's the biggest event for mountain biking! I'm a racer that's what I do, so to come to a freeride event I feel like there's no pressure. It's like being a kid in a gaint sand box, you can build pretty much anything you can think of, and then you get to turn right around and shred what you built! - Logan Binggeli |
| I've competed in lots of different disciplines of mountain biking ever since I was little, but it wasn't until Rampage in 2010 that I felt like I finally found my niche. I was scared SH*TLESS when I first got there and I had some pretty heavy crashes, but when it was all said and done it was definitely the most fun I've ever had on my bike. It's the only mountain bike contest out there that I feel like we have full freedom to add our own creativity to it, and that's what I like the most about it. They say that the apocalypse is coming at the end of 2012, so I think Rampage is gonna go off with a bang this year and people will be sending it. I know that I for one will be...and I can't wait! - Tyler McCaul |
| Red Bull Rampage is the coolest event of the year. I'm extremely excited to have it back this year! No doubt, it will be gnarlier than ever; I can't wait to be there! - Geoff Gulevich |
| Well for this year I'm wanting to do something different, last year was my first time ever at a professional compeition and it was kind of overwhelming, so I played it safe and built a line I knew I could ride safely, but still score big on. The big disapointment for me from last year was having my chain snap right before my last jump on my last run, which placed me just one spot off qualifying. This year I'm hoping to build a WAY bigger line, something that's actually scary to me to ride. I'd like to keep it old school for the upper part, steep and technical with some HUGE drops thrown in, but maybe line it up with some jumps towards the bottom. I'm looking forward to this year because I feel like I have progressed alot and am anxious to get out there and ride again to show the judges what I've learned! - Wil White |
| I am so stoked that Rampage is coming back! Being able to build your own line at Rampage makes it like no other contest and that's why riders get so stoked to be apart of such a rad event. - Andrew Taylor |
| The Red Bull Rampage is the most difficult event I have ever competed in and I look forward to the mental and physical challenges it takes to complete a solid run. - Kenny Smith |
| I am pretty anxious to get another shot at Red Bull Rampage since I didn't qualify for finals in 2010. That was a big bummer for me and I'm looking forward to redemption this year coming in with experience and a new mind set. Rampage is the best event we have in freeride mountain biking! The sport's best athletes come together and the vibe is more encouraging between riders than it is competitive. There's nothing more fun than linking up a bunch of gnarly hits into one huge line down a mountain of dirt and rock. - Kyle Norbraten |
| I think that a lot of us are looking forward to this contest because it's unique and it really gives you an opportunity to send it...if you're up for it! But it's pretty sweet because we go down a week or so early with a crew of the boys and we just hammer away in the Utah heat to get our lines all dialed in. It's kinda stressful, but in an exciting way, kinda like the calm before the storm when the clouds are just rolling in. - Alex Pro |
| Rampage, Utah...Shit gets wild out there! Always a Progressive event...Can't wait! - Kelly McGarry |
| Because it's the only real mountain bike event ever and you can go as big as you want man! - Andreu Lacondeguy |
| As always I'm fired up on the Red Bull Rampage, it's hands down the sickest contest on the planet. Big mountain riding is where it's at! - Darren Berrecloth |
| I always look forward to Rampage, the anticipation and the hype around the event is huge, and it's just an honor to be a part of it. This year It's a huge focus as I've been smacked down and learned the heard knocks, the hard way. It's such a different game riding in Utah, with unpredictible Wind, and weather conditions on top of super unique dirt conditions to anywhere else, then to throw the pressure of competing on top of it all with the rush of putting it all together in 3 days... the hot sun and the hicks with the bike on the back. Generally I don't compete, but Rampage is bad ass and big mountain and this year I'm looking forward to getting back down there with a different approach and a fresh head to score some redemption. - Garett Buehler |
| I'll always want to be a part of Red Bull Rampage simply for the fact that it is the pinnacle of freeride. It's always cool to be a part of history, even if you might not be the feature story of it! - Greg Watts |
| Just to have the opportunity to compete in the biggest event in mountain biking is a dream come true. This will be my second Rampage event, and I am looking forward to scaring myself once again, while competing with some of the best mountain bikers on the planet! Mark your calendars, this will be one event you don't want to miss! - Curtis Robinson |
| I'm sure that a number of the other riders will agree with me here, this will be the one event on everyone's mind all season long. I can't wait to get out there and send 'er balls deep, Yeehaaw! - Graham Agassiz |
| Rampage 2012! Bottom line I am beyond fired up for this year's competition. I am actually just rolling out of the hospital with a concussion (no joke), so you might say my training officially started a couple hours ago. Honestly though, Rampage is hands-down a ridiculously good time, maybe not when your ditching over the canyon gap, but that aside it's awesome. The event is one of the best run competitions in our sport and there are obvious reasons it has the reputation it does. That being said there aren't too many venues were you are able witness a collective group of athletes consistently and confidently risking it at that level every single run. Personally 2012 is a new slate for me, a handful of fresh sponsors, and a new perspective, a much tougher set of heels, so you might say I am just pumped to start throwing around dirt in the US's giant sandbox. - Michael Hopkins |
| Yeah I'm super exited to ride that crazy place over there in the middle of Utah again. Last year was my first try, this year it's gonna be: go big or stay home! - Yannick Granieri |
| Rampage?... It's a hard feeling to describe....How about I keep it short and simple, I'm scared. See you in ZION! - Jamie Goldman |
| Eff yeah! Who wouldn't wanna be in the largest freeride event known to man, at one of the raddest places to ride ever!? Umm, yes please! I'm always excited to go rip in Utah, whether for competition or not, it's the best! - Jordie Lunn |
| Rampage is always a really good place to ride. I like the challenge of jumping big drops, as well as building your line from the start to the bottom! Something I don't really like is the judging. I think it's a bit of who the judges like more than who is really doing a good run! They need to work on the judging a bit! - Cedric Gracia |
| I am stoked that the Rampage is back this year, as it is one of my favourite contests. It would be nice if all our contests were more like the Rampage. I can't wait to be riding on the red dirt again and shredding with all the bros. It's gunna be crazy! - Kurt Sorge |
| Rampage is upon us once again. I am amped to be a part of the biggest and baddest freeride contest in the world. Makes for a great excuse to go send it. - Evan Schwartz |
| The Red Bull Rampage is the event that I do look forward to the most. I have been fortunate to call every Rampage to date and the progression is unreal. This event really was the spawn of slopestyle and watching the riders in the early years just try to hold on and keep it straight, to now where athletes are busting massive 3's and flips, it is amazing to see the growth of our sport. Zink standing tall on the box in 2010, you know he will do whatever it takes to do that again...Time will tell and we will see you in Zion in Oct 2012 - Brad Ewen |
| At the Red Bull Rampage in 2010 we brought a small team of friends to support Alex and help other riders to dig their lines. We had a really good time and plan to duplicate it again this year. The Rampage is like no other MTB event because the riders get to choose and build at least parts of their lines. I am a trail builder, but I was not prepared to see these lines through Alex's eyes. To me, some of it just looked impossible, but I was there to dig and keep my mouth shut and that is what I will do again this year. I am looking forward to it. - Tom Pro |
| Working on Red Bull Rampage in Virgin was a great expreience, it's an amazing zone for the crew to hang for a month and shape lines, lips and landings. Building the course in 100 degree desert heat had its challenges, but the reward of watching the riders send it on comp day made everything incredible. It truly is the Superbowl of our sport and I would be honored to be involved again. - Paddy Kaye, Joyride Bike Parks |
| I am really stoked that the Red Bull Rampage is back on the freeride schedule and once again it will be the FMB World Tour final. Of course due to its Diamond status - the event level where athletes can score the highest possible points - the event will be the decision maker for the overall tour championship! The riding will be off the hook and we all must prepare to witness some neverseen freeride action! I can't wait! - Tarek Rasouli, Vice President of the Freeride Mountain Bike Association |
| Of all the events in the mountain biking calendar, Rampage has to be the one I look forward to most. Nowhere else and at no other time is it possible to see the highest level of freeriding undertaken by the world's elite in one arena. Of course, nothing beats being there for truly witnessing the spectacle - all I can do is hope my images transfer as much of the unique atmosphere and athleticism to the readers as possible. - Dan Barham |
| Red Bull Rampage is the best event in mountain biking. It's the one contest that truly defines big mountain freeriding. The biggest, baddest, scariest lines are ridden, and the bar is pushed higher every time making for a must attend event for photogs. The biggest highlight of 2010 was Zink's three off the Oakley sender... hard to argue with that one. I know the boys have been working hard, upping their game since the previous event, so I'm prepared to have my mind blown again this year. - Harookz |
Photo by Kyle Mclaws 
Cedric- man of the people, haha.
Its being hosted by NBC/Red Bull Signature Series now so like every other majorly sponsored event in mtbing, or any sport for that matter in history, spectator numbers matter. The easier it is to watch, that means more people are likely to go which is what the sponsors want. You're really overreacting to just a few pictures so settle down...
And its not just a "few" people that show up but its actually a large crowd and it has been like that for quite a while.
I think if my chosen team wins NCAA Division I lacrosse in Spring 2013, I'm gonna go up to BC and destroy Alex Pro's bikes and truck. Seems like the logical thing to do, right Alex? You won't mind, will ya bud?
At the other end of things, "bikeaddict" and "game" prove they have no identity outside their worship of "freeriders" and so they fall all over themselves excusing Alex "my brain is turned off 24/7/365" Pro. It's almost like they want Alex to be their boyfriend or something.
As to "doing something for society by shaming him"? What in hell does that mean? So any time someone does something wrong, we should just turn a blind eye? Someone kills your dog, you gonna be stoked about it? Obviously it wasn't YOUR truck that got trashed, and so you just don't care. Just like your hero Alex Pro, the King of the Douches. Don't "shame" him, let him go without any rebuke, punishment or shame! He was just being a kid! He was just happy that his team won!
Holy frijole!
Martin has good skills on a big bike, @robienroll, if you've not seen his "Team Douche" video you really should, it's awesome.
All that said, I don't see any of them taking the title away from Semenuk in Utah if he doesn't crash, he's way ahead of them in big mountain riding if they don't have mad secret skills.
Why must we have the best event announced by a guy who doesn't ride, says the LAMEST stuff and molests riders with his arm around them at the bottom when they just want to be left alone? creepy, fat, milddle-aged dorks don't deserve to announce at the rampage, or crankworx, or any other MTB event. does this sport have no self respect left, that they woulds allow this klutz to represent and announce it?
every other sport is announced by former pros, every. single. one. how did we end up with brad, year after year?!?!? true disgrace!
Wait... nobody cares
It's supposed to read "well" not "we'l" as you are suggesting … which makes no sense in the context of the reply, nor is it a word for that matter
I swear to god I never, ever make that mistake as it's a massive pet peeve.
I feel dirty now