Welcome to the wild, rugged heart of freeride mountain biking. Red Bull Rampage 2024 wasn’t just another competition—it was a testament to the spirit of daring athletes and the evolution of a sport that thrives on pushing limits. If you thought you’d seen it all, this year’s Rampage was a fresh reminder that mountain biking still has new heights (and drops) to conquer. This year’s event was as much a celebration of courage and creativity as it was a platform for riders to etch their names into the history of freeride mountain biking.
What Makes Red Bull Rampage So Unique?
Every year, the dusty cliffs of Virgin, Utah, morph into a battlefield where riders sculpt their own lines, push their boundaries, and reveal what it means to be fearless. Red Bull Rampage has always been more than a competition. It’s a combination of adrenaline, creativity, and survival instincts. While most sporting events are designed to challenge skill alone, Rampage dares riders to prove their heart, mind, and spirit. It’s a place where technical ability meets a higher call to bravery and creativity.
Each rider faces a unique challenge: they must not only tackle the brutal landscape but also build a course from scratch, a line that showcases their style and skill. And this year? The stakes were even higher with the introduction of a women’s competition for the first time, marking a milestone in freeride mountain biking. The atmosphere is electric, but there’s something special about Rampage that goes beyond the tricks and scores. It’s a competition, yet it’s also a display of raw passion, creativity, and a shared mission among riders to push what’s possible. There’s a true sense of brotherhood (and now sisterhood) that comes with these high-stakes moments, and an unspoken pact to leave egos behind on the desert floor.
The freedom given to riders at Rampage makes it a one-of-a-kind event. Most competitions have designated trails, jumps, and features, all marked out by race officials. Not here. At Rampage, riders sculpt and craft their own courses, creating a unique mix of creative artistry and physical mastery. They take risks not only with their bodies but with their own course choices, knowing that a single miscalculation could be disastrous. This creative element brings an added level of respect among riders—they know that each line is a work of art, a personal expression shaped out of Utah’s raw, unforgiving landscape.
The Harsh Terrain of Utah: Testing Physical and Mental Limits
The rocky Utah landscape at Virgin isn’t just scenic—it’s unforgiving. With sheer drops, jagged ridges, and unpredictable winds, the terrain itself becomes an opponent. It’s no surprise that Red Bull Rampage often sees riders dealing with high stakes and high risks, with narrow margins for error. For these riders, conquering this brutal terrain requires more than technical skill; it demands an unwavering mental resilience.
Mountain biking at these altitudes, in these conditions, is as much a psychological battle as it is physical. Riders have to adapt in real-time to wind, loose rocks, and intense pressure to nail tricks that have zero room for error. And in 2024, the wind was an especially formidable opponent. Delays were inevitable, leaving riders with ample time to sit, wait, and reflect on the high-stakes nature of what lay ahead. It’s a sport where one wrong move could mean a severe injury, yet these athletes see risk not as a barrier but as a pathway to triumph.
One of the unique aspects of Rampage is the expectation that competitors will face harsh, unpredictable elements. This year, winds gusted and swirled, making it almost impossible for riders to predict how their bikes would respond mid-air. Riders adapted their plans on the fly, showcasing their ability to not only react but to maintain a sense of calm under extreme pressure.
These delays could have frustrated any other athlete, but at Rampage, there’s an unspoken understanding that patience is just another part of the test. Riders spent their time sharing tricks, tips, and sometimes even the lines they’d chosen, an act that reveals the unique mindset of this community. Unlike many competitive environments, Rampage is free of the animosity that often plagues professional sports. This isn’t about showing each other up; it’s about respecting the mountain, celebrating the skills of others, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible—together.
Notable Performances and Moments: A Breakdown of the Top Contenders
Brandon Semenuk: The Legend Takes Home His Fifth Title
Few riders embody the essence of Red Bull Rampage like Brandon Semenuk. Already a legend, Semenuk clinched his record-breaking fifth title in 2024, delivering a run that can only be described as perfection. Combining technical prowess with raw power, he kicked off with a tail whip into a double drop—a trick that had fans on edge. His line was the epitome of control and flow, hitting each feature with precision. When he nailed a flip whip that defied both gravity and logic, the crowd went wild. Semenuk’s performance, which scored 92.73, showcased his mastery and poise under pressure.
Semenuk’s approach speaks to a level of artistry unique to mountain biking. His ability to visualize, construct, and execute a near-flawless run in such hostile conditions isn’t merely impressive; it’s a testament to a mind dedicated to the craft. Riders at Rampage need a vision that extends beyond the average rider’s. They need to see the possibilities embedded within the rocks, cliffs, and drops, something Semenuk continues to prove he has mastered like no one else.
Semenuk’s mentality is part of what sets him apart. Despite being at the top of his field, he’s known for his humility and respect toward his fellow riders. He approaches Rampage not only as a competitor but as an artist crafting a masterpiece, channeling his focus into every line, drop, and flip. In a high-stakes environment like Rampage, his ability to maintain calm and deliver when it matters most is a defining trait that separates legends from the rest.
Szymon Godziek’s 95-Foot Backflip Drop: A Masterclass in Courage
Hailing from Poland, Szymon Godziek took second place, scoring 91.66 with a run that was as gutsy as it was technical. Godziek’s line included a mind-bending 95-foot backflip drop—a stunt that would make most riders think twice. Not content with just one jaw-dropper, he executed a front flip and a double backflip on his final jump. Godziek’s performance was a reminder of how creativity meets courage at Rampage. His approach to building a line pushed the sport forward, showing how riders can reinvent what’s possible with each run.
For Godziek, his run wasn’t just about scoring high but about solidifying his place in the sport’s legacy. He knew what was at stake, but more importantly, he knew that his performance would inspire a future generation of riders to dream even bigger. And if you ask the riders, they’ll tell you—Rampage is as much about inspiring others as it is about personal achievement.
Godziek, known for his humble yet fiercely dedicated attitude, also embodies the spirit of camaraderie that defines Rampage. Throughout the event, he was seen cheering on other riders and sharing advice with those who sought his insight. This sense of community, even among top competitors, is one of the unique aspects of Rampage. Riders know that while they’re technically competing, they’re also part of something much larger—a movement that celebrates the human spirit’s ability to transcend physical and mental barriers.
Tyler McCaul’s Canyon Gap: Third Place but First in Style
Tyler McCaul, a name familiar to Rampage enthusiasts, took third with a line that proved style still matters in freeride. McCaul’s 74-foot step-down canyon gap was one of the event’s most memorable moments, showing that even in third place, he knew how to leave a lasting impression. McCaul’s run was scored at 90.66, balancing technical tricks and fluidity. For spectators, his line was a perfect reminder of the artistry involved in creating a successful run.
McCaul’s choice of line speaks to the underlying spirit of Rampage. It isn’t just about outdoing your competitors; it’s about making a statement. For McCaul, that statement was one of fluidity, grace, and rhythm, bringing a sense of flow to a competition often defined by massive drops and technical maneuvers. In freeride, style points matter as much as technique, and McCaul’s run demonstrated that beautifully.
McCaul’s personality is also a perfect fit for Rampage’s unique vibe. Known for his easygoing attitude, he’s one of the riders who seems genuinely at home in the unforgiving desert. While other competitions may value raw aggression, Rampage celebrates athletes like McCaul who bring a sense of artistry and rhythm to their rides. His line this year wasn’t just a technical feat; it was an expression of who he is as a rider—a creative, calm presence in a high-stakes environment.
Breaking Barriers: The First Women’s Competition
2024 was a milestone year for Red Bull Rampage as it introduced the inaugural women’s competition. Leading the charge was Robin Goomes from New Zealand, whose groundbreaking performance made history. Goomes’s run was far from cautious; it was packed with backflips, a 41-foot drop, and an overall bold approach that set a high standard for future competitions.
Her performance won her the Utah Sports Commission Best Trick Award and inspired a wave of enthusiasm, proving that women’s freeride has arrived in full force. It was a victory for the sport and a testament to the rising talents pushing boundaries in mountain biking.
The Rampage Mindset: Thriving Under Pressure and Celebrating the Unthinkable
Red Bull Rampage isn’t a place for the faint-hearted. It takes a unique mindset to step into this arena, knowing that one mistake could end in disaster. These riders possess an unwavering belief not only in their abilities but in their instincts. At Rampage, you don’t have time to second-guess. Every decision has to be made with complete confidence, even if your heart is racing, and your palms are sweaty.
What’s fascinating about Rampage athletes is that they don’t compete against each other as much as they do against their own fears and limits. There’s a camaraderie that’s rarely seen in other sports; here, athletes are as likely to cheer for their competitors as they are to celebrate their own achievements. In a high-stakes environment like this, mutual respect and support become the glue that binds the Rampage community together. It’s not uncommon to see a competitor pause to help another rider after a crash or to watch as riders exchange tips on how to tackle certain features. At Rampage, the phrase “no ego” isn’t just a cliché; it’s a necessity.
