In Oct. 2023 Red Bull hosted Rampage, their annual freeride mountain biking competition along the legendary cliffs of Virgin, Utah. Regarded by some as the “Super Bowl of mountain biking,” Rampage is an event where fans around the world tune in and watch the best athletes in freeride ride some of the toughest and biggest lines known to man.
During Rampage, riders are given just over a week to carve out the biggest, most technical and jump-filled route from the peak of the mountain to the bottom. They are allowed two other crew members, but no power tools, to create these lines. On competition day riders are given two attempts to lay down their best run possible. Riders are given a run grade from 0-100 by a panel of judges based on the size of their features, technicality of their tricks, perfection of their landings and many other factors. Once all riders are finished, the highest individual scorer wins.
This year was especially significant for Bend, Oregon as local pro and Summit alumni, Carson Storch, took home 3rd place in a competition with 17 of the best riders on the globe. This is the second time Storch has taken home bronze in his seven times competing, as he also finished 3rd in 2016. When asked what it meant to see a local rider perform at such a high level, Kirt Voreis, another local mountain biking legend, and former coach of Storch said “I feel like him doing that builds the community… you know what I mean, like him getting 3rd and him actually being at that event, does a big thing for the community and all the kids here who want to be that.”
For Storch this result was a huge deal for him, stating that it showed the world that he still has the talent and execution needed to be competitive in the growing free ride scene. He said it also backs up his bronze medal performance in 2016, which was regarded by some as “fluky” due to an abnormally large amount of injuries that year. When interviewed on his favorite part of his run, Storch said, “usually in the past, I’ve always had one big move…. like spinning drops or whatever, that I work up to…. and this year, my run was kinda non-stop. So for me it was being able to wrap everything together into one big explosive run.” Storch also shared how representing the bike community here in Bend means everything to him and hopes he can show local riders that this profession is attainable with enough work and dedication.
This year’s rampage had tons of other highlights as well, which compiled to make another emotional and exciting event. One moment that had the entire bike world in a frenzy was the appearance of NBA Hall of Famer and Rampage super fan Reggie Miller for the event’s broadcast introduction. The competition didn’t disappoint either with some crazy moments and legendary performances. Rider Bienvenido Aguado had the fan favorite trick with a ginormous front flip over Rampage’s infamous canyon gap that is 72 feet in distance. Freeride legend, Cam Zink, who is one of the sports GOATs, took home his second rampage title at the age of 37, making him the oldest rider to ever win the event.
Red Bull has once again put on an exciting and successful event that had fans on the edge of their seats for every run. Congratulations to all the participants and especially the likes of Carson Storch, Tom Van Steenbergen, and Cam Zink on their podium runs. Finally, the whole bike community’s thoughts are with Gee Atherton and his family after his crash in practice that led to a fractured skull, and everyone wishes for him to have a speedy recovery.
