Red Bull Rampage 2014: Looking Back - Aggy

Oct 10, 2014

by Danielle Baker

Over the past few years it has been my main goal and focus to stand at the top of the podium at Rampage. Last year was a close one, with a little over excitement it literally slipped out of my hands. This year I had never felt so confident in making this dream of mine a reality, after my 2nd qualifying run I knew I could amp it up even more for finals. But, when I crashed that feeling changed pretty drastically.

Graham Agassiz dials in lines with Semenuk at RedBull Rampage 2014.

Aggy was on fire today and going bigger than anybody.

Taylor Brad and Ron make quite the team with Aggy at RedBull Rampage 2014.

I definitely feel like I had one of, if not, the best build crew out there as far as experience and past history. And now they have built two winning Rampage lines, Sorge's in 2012 and Andreu's this year. Not bad.

Graham Agassiz s builders Ron Taylor and Brad at RedBull Rampage 2014.

Taylor has been coming to Rampage with me since 2010, and originally was brought along as my mechanic, but he is no stranger to building lines. Brad first came on board in 2012 and is pretty much known across the globe now. He just goes and goes and goes. Ron came along this year also and is very smart when it comes to speed and distances. Together these boys are pretty much the dream team, and damn do they work hard! It's nice to be able to get some practice in and be fully confident in what they are working on.

Graham Agassiz and his builders at RedBull Rampage 2014.

Aggy guinea pigging his upper drop for the first time during qualifiers and came up a bit short after not coming in with enough speed. Came out alright from it and will hopefully have another shot tomorrow morning at it.

I guinea pigged the drop in my first qualifier run and I learned pretty quickly that I needed to go a little faster.

Aggy looking a bit dusted and dazed after stacking off his intro drop.

Graham Agassiz after the crash at RedBull Rampage 2014.

My first thought was the biggest feeling of failure. After working that long and that hard on a line and to just totally blow it like that, I was so bummed. But, it happens.

Aggy popping off a few afternoon rounds.

Aggy s first drop on his run was big and exposed. Here he is making it look way too easy. The man is and animal.

Aggy was looking dialed during his practice session.

Aggy sending it during qualifying and putting down one of the most energetic runs of Rampage so far.

Holy shit mountain bikers are going as big as skiers only there s no soft snow to land on. Aggy the man.

[My second qualifier run] was honestly the greatest feeling that I have ever experienced. When I came rolling towards the finish line and everyone was running towards me, I couldn't help but tear up. The whole build up into that day was an emotional roller coaster, I feel like I definitely put my soul and mind to the test that day.

Not content with first in the qualifiers Aggy joins the afternoon jump session.

In practice after qualifying there was a session on the RZR ramp with a few of us. I over rotated a three and bailed out, because of the tacky soil only one leg slid and the other hooked up and buckled in funny. It turned out that my MCL came very close to tearing off but luckily it was just a pretty minor sprain.

Aggy flat-spin three off the Hoff fest-sized RZR jump...a 42ft gap.

I went to bed that night praying for it to be better in the morning, but after a sleepless night with pain and worry, I knew deep down it was over. I could hardly walk and the pain when touching the area brought me to my knees. I made the decision to pull out of the event pretty quickly so that whoever was next in line from qualifying could get ready in time to ride finals.

the bummer news of the morning Aggy s knee is too hurt to compete. RedBull Rampage 2014.

I broke down inside, I felt so close and I had worked so hard. There is always next year.

Posted In:
Stories Red Bull Red Bull Rampage

Author Info:

daniellebaker
Member since May 10, 2007
235 articles

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66 Comments

242 2

Monarch87 (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:29)

Epic format, amazing pictures. Aggy is a warrior.

85 0

kingpin2607 (Oct 10, 2014 at 1:55)

Damn this format with those photos is Amazing !!

69 1

Morever (Oct 10, 2014 at 4:05)

This is the layout pinkbike should keep for the world cup photo epics - makes you really absorbed into the scale of what these guys are doing!

scott-townes (Oct 10, 2014 at 7:05)

its almost like if buzzfeed wasn't a complete pile of trash! but seriously, I really hope he has better luck next year. every year he has the best lines but something strange happens. good to hear it wasn't anything serious.

kdstones (Oct 10, 2014 at 7:30)

Those last quotes were hard to read, yet made me super hyped to see him come back next year. The guys a beast, I have a feeling he won't disappoint!

microlab (Oct 10, 2014 at 9:18)

that drop is so damn big, that i cant see it on my monitor cause it doesnt fit because of his length ........ LOL

MickB (Oct 10, 2014 at 12:50)

Youre the man Aggy! Mads props dude.

2 20

holyrider3 (Oct 11, 2014 at 2:02) (Below Threshold)

Aggy is a sell out

1 10

scott-townes (Oct 11, 2014 at 6:14) (Below Threshold)

#letaggysellout !!

bmar (Oct 11, 2014 at 17:54)

What ^^^? Aggy is the man. His style is like no other. May his beard and long locks grant him even more style and gnar. Good luck to you.

kdstones (Oct 11, 2014 at 18:14)

Until ya'll can ride like him, Aggy is far from a sell out.

scott-townes (Oct 11, 2014 at 18:23)

#thatmadezerosense

72 1

brand-new (Oct 10, 2014 at 1:36)

i love his sportsmanship. where he says he backed out as quick as possible to allow the other rider to prepare. got so much respect for aggy as an athlete man. hope he crushes it next year

41 0

udayorama (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:33)

lovin this new format.....oh yeah, aggy is cool too

29 1

cameronb3321 (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:34)

LOVE the borderlessness, looks awesome.

20 0

Metacomet (Oct 10, 2014 at 7:19)

I know Aggy is bummed about not being able to compete in the finals, being that rampage is a competition, but as a spectator, rampage is not so much about results in my eyes, and more about who really stood out and was holding it wide open. Practice, qualifying, finals, whatever; He absolutely killed it this year!! Aggy and Lacondeguy produced an incredible line, and rode it flat out, and that's what I will remember. No regrets Aggy! You slayed it out there and left everyone in awe.

JBinKC (Oct 10, 2014 at 13:15)

I agree. I was there in person and honestly I didn't even follow the scores. I was just so pumped to see each rider hit their lines. The vibe was super chill with all the spectators.

13 0

adrock-whistler (Oct 10, 2014 at 11:57)

Forget other bike websites, no other action sport website (snowboard, ski, skate, surf) even comes close to the quality of photographs on Pinkbike. Unbelievable.

12 0

icdesign (Oct 10, 2014 at 10:51)

Perhaps the real reason Aggy's leg is Tweaked?? Another SRAMmed rider?

www.pinkbike.com/photo/11509461

laynehip (Oct 10, 2014 at 12:06)

You have broken the case wide open! Poor Aggy, a slave to his sponsors so is shackled with these lies, but thankfully the truth is out. Shout it from the rooftops! Aggy would have won Rampage if it wasen't for sub par, ugly looking Sram cranks.

simooo (Oct 12, 2014 at 13:31)

Not really. www.pinkbike.com/news/red-bull-rampage-2014-the-bikes.html

At least half of the riders are on the same cranks.

10 2

BeerGuzlinFool (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:31)

It was depressing to hear he wasn't going to ride in the finals..Hi second qualifying run was definitely the best of the contest..Can't wait to see him kill it next year.

12 2

DHcamcam (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:43)

Aggy is still a winner in my book. always has good vibes

jeastman (Oct 10, 2014 at 8:28)

Aggy - super bummed you didn't get to ride this year. I was pulling for you from CT! The fact that you pulled the plug so soon that morning so that the next in line could get ready says all we need to know about you and what kind of person you are. You are an inspiration to us all. Keep on keeping on! Cant wait for your run next year!

jaqu3s (Oct 10, 2014 at 1:42)

Really like the new format! Hope the WC-Photo-Epics gonna look like that next year! And big props to Aggy, thers always a next Rampage..

chyu (Oct 10, 2014 at 5:16)

They shouldn't be qualifying but Final Day 1 and Final Day 2. IMO, Aggy won Day 1, Andreu won Day 2.

lumpy873 (Oct 10, 2014 at 8:21)

For sure the biggest "what if" from this contest. Since he and Andreu shared a line, it would have be interesting to see who would have come out on top m

chrisclifford (Oct 10, 2014 at 17:50)

All due respect to Andreu, but I think Aggy would have...

lumpy873 (Oct 11, 2014 at 19:49)

I think I agree. . Aggy seemed to be going bigger on some of the other jumps.. Would have made for a good contest.

weirc (Oct 13, 2014 at 17:50)

Aggy goes huge with tons of style, true fans have huge respect for him even if he crashed out, the finals were scored and announced like a fuckin joke anyway. keep on going big and inspiring us normal riders AGGY

ElVenezuelan (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:25)

AGGY = RAD !!!!!

Lilrumple (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:44)

you awesome man! really gutted we didnt get to see him rip it up in the finals. great article by the way!

SuperKobeD (Oct 10, 2014 at 1:51)

Watch these posts in full screen mode. Its unreal!

THATdjGuy (Oct 10, 2014 at 1:54)

The new format is awesome. bummed for Aggy he is is such a positive person and a great rider

cutamerc (Oct 10, 2014 at 3:49)

Pinkbike makes all other sites painful to look at. Thanks!

gooberx (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:50)

Me likey big photos

dh-bomber FL (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:18)

yes always next year you got it aggy ! your the man

loopie (Oct 10, 2014 at 3:02)

The Kamloops region isn't on the radar for nothing... 2, 4, 10,12, 20 yrs ago...there's something in our water

Frilko (Oct 10, 2014 at 4:52)

Aggy could easily land a role in Game Pf Thrones with that beard

trailstar2danman (Oct 10, 2014 at 5:11)

Your stache is trash, your beard is weird.

Biocoug1 (Oct 10, 2014 at 13:05)

Negative props are probably people not realizing you are quoting a just for men TV commercial. I caught the reference though

boyblue1973 (Oct 10, 2014 at 7:39)

No other Mountain bike contest I watch only the "Red Bull Rampage", other events not as difficult and challenging as this.

alexsin (Oct 10, 2014 at 7:46)

This layout looks awesome. The lack of margins or something gives my Hover Zoom widget (in Chrome) the shits though.

Biocoug1 (Oct 10, 2014 at 8:48)

Aggy is a true sender. I wish I had a fraction of the control that dude has on a bike. Very cool dude.

jtorlando25 (Oct 10, 2014 at 9:04)

"I broke down inside" Sad to read that but then to have it followed up by the 4-wheeler pic...awesome.

matteosignorelli (Oct 10, 2014 at 9:38)

loving the new format! all it needs now is for the page to scroll for you.

dirtbagluvin (Oct 10, 2014 at 11:33)

Uber props to Aggy (no explanation needed) and Danielle for taking the photo essay to another level on PB!!

sasso90 (Oct 10, 2014 at 7:15)

Can you go riding in that spot? or is it like a natural reserve area?

boyblue1973 (Oct 10, 2014 at 7:29)

Good luck Next 2015 Aggy, you can do it, it is your time to shine.

SevrdOrphnToes (Oct 10, 2014 at 9:18)

Dat masseuse doe...

raybao (Oct 10, 2014 at 12:03)

Great CSS work on this page.

northwestdhdad (Oct 10, 2014 at 20:22)

Good things come to those who wait. -Mark Twain

lovemyride (Oct 10, 2014 at 21:42)

Awesome to hear honesty , compassion , and emotion . C u next year

RedBurn (Oct 11, 2014 at 2:25)

The 1st Picture shows well the domination

richieschley (Oct 13, 2014 at 9:07)

You are the man Aggy. Tough luck buddy. Next year is yours!!!!

ketis (Oct 10, 2014 at 3:27)

captain beardface!

B650wagon (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:16)

Next Year Buddy !

countzero1101 (Oct 10, 2014 at 3:49)

I've said if before and I will say it again: Aggy is the Gandalf of freeride! #gandalfoffreeride

sfrucian (Oct 10, 2014 at 6:21)

What a champ

binks (Oct 13, 2014 at 6:09)

.....but looks like a tramp.

rcdy (Oct 10, 2014 at 6:27)

bummer....next year..!

carloseduardoo (Oct 10, 2014 at 8:45)

next year go!!!!

spokeapparel (Oct 10, 2014 at 11:04)

Respect, G.A.

chriskneeland (Oct 10, 2014 at 12:07)

Long live Agassiz!

glowen (Oct 10, 2014 at 0:28)

;(

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