Proving Grounds Returns For 2021 - Set to Include Both Men's & Women's Categories

Jun 23, 2021
by Sarah Moore  


The world's best men and women will be competing for top freeride honors at Oregon Dirt Park on September 10 - 11. This time around, the event will not be a qualifier for Red Bull Rampage. Instead, it will brand off into its own big-bike freeride event and eventually, series. Casey Brown was the only woman to compete in Proving Grounds in 2019, but this year she will be joined by a field of women including Hannah Bergemann, Samantha Soriano and more.


PRESS RELEASE: Proving Grounds

2021 Proving Grounds is set to return once again to the Oregon Dirt Park just outside of Bend, OR on September 10 - 11. The festival will include both men and women's Open categories with two days of competition; with Friday afternoon men and women's Jump Jam and a Saturday competition, two nights of camping, live music, product demos, movie premieres, food trucks, 10 Barrel Beer Garden and more.

In 2019, the world witnessed the creation of the inaugural Proving Grounds presented by Five Ten, a ground-breaking Freeride MTB competition that featured the World's top pro and amateur athletes. The format blurred the lines between Big Mountain and Slopestyle, and for the first time, athletes were allowed to choose their line from multiple options that suited their skill, style, and strengths. From Reed Boggs' flawless win to Casey Brown's historic run, the event was a game-changer and was celebrated by the athletes, fans, media, and industry.

bigquotesRed Bull Rampage has long been considered the Super Bowl of our sport, but there is an obvious void of big-bike freeride events where athletes can make their mark outside of that arena. Proving Grounds provides the space to showcase the talent of the World's best athletes.Event Founder Todd Barber

Proving Grounds will provide a platform for athletes to show what they are capable of on a human-made course that will feature multiple lines to let athletes choose their own path and style, with huge drops, massive doubles, berm presses, and rhythm sections.

Beginning in 2021, Proving Grounds will no longer be a qualifier for Red Bull Rampage, instead, it will branch off as its own individual big-bike freeride event (and soon-to-be series) seeking to fill the void in this segment of the industry.

Louis Reboul.
Proving Grounds will no longer be a qualifier for Red Bull Rampage.

bigquotesProving Grounds 2019 was one of the most challenging events I've done, a true test of mental strength; it's not an event to take lightly. It will be so cool to have more women there this time; the more events we can have like this, the bigger freeride will be on the women's side.Casey Brown

Brown made history in 2019 as the first woman to compete in Proving Grounds. In 2021, she will be joined by a field of women including Hannah Bergemann, Samantha Soriano and more, vying for the top spot.

Invited Women*

Camila Noguiera (ARG)
Casey Brown (CAN)
Chelsea Kimball (USA)
Hannah Bergemann (USA)
Jess Blewitt (NZ)
Robin Goomes (NZ)
Samantha Soriano (USA)
Vinny Armstrong (NZ)


Invited Men*

Adolf Silva (ESP)
Antoine Bizet (FRA)
Alex Volokhov (CAN)
Bienvenido Aguado Alba (ESP)
Billy Meaclem (NZ)
Cam Zink (USA)
Carson Storch (USA)
Clemens Kaudela (AT)
Damon Iwanaga (USA)
Dylan Stark (USA)
DJ Brandt (USA)
Ethan Nell (USA)
Jaxon Riddle (USA)
Juan Diego Salido (MEX)
Kyle Strait (USA)
Louis Reboul (FRA)
Nicholi Rogatikin (USA)
Paul Genovese (CAN)
Reece Wallace (CAN)
Reed Boggs (USA)
Tom Isted (GBR)
Tom Van Steenbergen (CAN


*There will be a Confirmed Rider announcement at a later date.

Casey Brown is one of the best female riders in the world and was on course all week proving why she deserved her invitation.
8 women have been invited to compete this year.

LOCATION – Oregon Dirt Park, Prineville – 35 miles east of Bend, OR.

Bend, OR is situated in central Oregon and has long been a hub for all things adventure. With Mt. Bachelor as its backdrop and over 300 miles of Singletrack it is no wonder the Mountain Bike Action named Bend "the best mountain bike town in the country."

The festival weekend will offer individual ticket sales as well as camping passes that will include exclusive access to the Friday night jump Jam. Saturday will feature a full day of competition, industry vendors, food trucks, craft beer, giveaways, music, and more. Tickets are limited and go on sale Monday, July 19th. Follow along: INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK and YOUTUBE accounts.

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Proving Grounds is proud to be supported by: Five Ten/Adidas, Jenson USA, 10 Barrel Brewing Co., YT Industries, FOX Racing, Shimano, Smartwool Sox, Muc-off, Picky Bar, Laird Super Food & MTB Hopper.

Author Info:
sarahmoore avatar

Member since Mar 30, 2011
1,321 articles

33 Comments
  • 41 2
 Tom Pidcock will have to rely on a wild card entry for Rempage then
  • 17 3
 I think that young gun named Cam Zink has something to prove! He could really show those old guys a thing or two.
  • 8 0
 I hope they integrate some form of gnarly tech into this competition instead of just making it a slopestyle competition on the big bikes. But who am I kidding...
  • 9 0
 Yes, STARK!
  • 1 0
 finally...
  • 2 0
 Yeah stoked to see Stark, but where the heck is Brage!?
  • 6 1
 Seems like a lot of the men’s field may have already “proven” themselves a few times in the past.
  • 5 0
 How sick! Only 2 hours away from my house. Defiantly coming to see this!
  • 3 0
 Awesome to see a Women's field! Love seeing Casey and the other women push each-other!
  • 6 0
 The New Zealand ladies were impressive to watch with Formation footage. I am excited to see them compete here.
  • 2 0
 Agreed. Hopefully there are some course adjustments as some of the jumps where darn near impossible for Casey to hit just because of momentum. I'd like to see more of the women having a chance to grow and show some improved skill than be completely focused on just making the transitions.
  • 3 0
 Okay, so is a rampage invite now based on making a crazy good freeride edit? And past results too of course?
  • 4 0
 So what will be the qualifying event for rampage?
  • 25 0
 hopscotch tournament.
  • 1 0
 Give us more video material about it. A full episode or something...they are not just trowing big tricks at the Rampage itself
  • 5 6
 Wow talk about keeping it between mates. So not only is Red Bull Rampage a completely close competition but so is there apparent eventually series and it’s controlled by Todd barber (whoever he is) and Red bull, seems dumb. You would hate to be a young kid into free-ride because unless you have a contact you literally have no room for progression there.

Easy to see why everyone’s losing interest in free-ride and and loving racing because at least that’s fair for everyone and everyone is included. Also format seems super dumb and unprofessional, seems more like a classic free-ride circle jerk to me.
  • 2 0
 Don't lose to much sleep over it. I'm sure you couldn't hang even it were a public event...
  • 1 0
 I new it was those damn “Humans” going around makin all those damn MTB coarses everywhere!
I new it all along
Damn humans
whats amada widem Smile
  • 2 0
 i want to see riddle take it
  • 1 0
 There needs to be an invite for Kurtis Downs!
  • 5 5
 Tom Van Steenbergen has to qualify?? huh? and Former multi winner Kyle Strait?
what am I missing?
  • 4 0
 Qualify for what? They are on the invited rider list.
  • 2 0
 This has nothing to do with qualifying for Rampage. They are just dudes who have been invited to participate in this event
  • 2 0
 Where my invite at tho??
  • 1 0
 I really hope Rogatkin does well. He needs rampage redemption.
  • 1 0
 No invite for Harriet Burbridge-Smith?
  • 2 3
 Presented by Five10? Pretty sure Marzocchi footed most of the bill for that event. Just saying.
  • 1 0
 New year new sponsors and an actual event coordinator.
  • 1 0
 @treksession541: was mainly referring to the fact they were talking about the last event without mentioning marzocchi at all. Event would not have happened last time without them.

I personally like the transition of making it more of a series and moving away from Red Bull and rampage.
  • 1 0
 @treksession541: Suppose I should have left off the presented by Five10 part as they presented the first one. Should have just said... why no mention of Marzocchi. Not doing this one but when referring to the first one you probably should at least mention the title sponsor. It's pretty intentional looking to not do it even once.
  • 1 0
 Yes please!
  • 7 10
 What's to prove if there's no Rampage? Not many steep challenging trails in Bend from what I've heard.







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