Canada’s incredible success at Red Bull Rampage continued on Friday. As wind shortened the iconic freeride mountain biking event, the competition was stopped after all riders had completed a single run. One run was enough for Brett Rheeder who already had the points in the bag to earn the win.
Rheeder’s victory extends a Canadian winning streak at Red Bull Rampage that goes back to 2015. Rheeder, Brandon Semenuk, and Kurt Sorge have won at the last seven Red Bull Rampage events.
For Rheeder, the win caps off an emotional comeback. The Mount Albert rider stepped back from competition for a period. His return was postponed by an injury that took him out of Rampage in 2021 before returning to ride Proving Grounds, his first competition since 2019.
Judges awarded Rheeder’s trick-filled first run with a score of 90.66 and it would be an insurmountable total for other riders to pass.
“I was pretty unsure what was going to happen this year. I had a lot of changes I went through as a person, and I didn’t know if I’d ever get back to this level of riding. So, I didn’t come out to win, to be honest. I just wanted to make sure whatever I did was for me.”
Szymon Godziek rode a massive 360-drop and canyon gap backflip combo to second place overall, with an 86.33.
“I wasn’t sure if I should do the 360 in the first run or the second run. It was a last-call decision, and it was super scary. It was by far the scariest thing of my life. It worked out but it was super heavy.”
Brandon Semenuk placed third, with 84 points, but also brought home the best trick award for his thrilling caveman drop into the course off the starting platform.
Semenuk was considering two different and very technical starts to his run, but couldn’t miss the opportunity for such a distinctive entry. “I thought, If I’m going to do it, I might as well go all in and do the slightly scarier thing. It’s just way too cool to pass up. Huge thanks to the boys for building that, it’s so steep up there.”
His two-person build crew started the week alone. Semenuk was busy winning the final round and series overall of the American Rally Association at the Lake Superior Rally. That put extra pressure on his Rampage build crew to start the line without him present.
Another Canadian earned the McGazza Spirit Award. Tom van Steenbergen takes home the rider-voted award for his inspiring return to Rampage just one year after a nearly career-ending crash at the 2021 event.
“It was not easy coming back from that crash. Making that decision was tough. You don’t want to take someone’s spot away. I had more planned for that run, but I’m just happy to be back." For the Canadian, the McGazza award carries a special significance. He witnessed in person when Kelly McGarry landed his infamous canyon gap at the same venue. “That was my first Rampage. He was just such a nice guy and so supportive. He and Jordie are always in our thoughts, always here with us. I’m honored.”
Beyond the top three riders, there were plenty of moments that wowed the crowd. Jaxson Riddle once again claimed the Michelin Style Award for his run full of motocross-inspired tricks, while freeriding legend Cam Zink won the BFGoodrich Toughness Award for his perseverance and grit.
Brett Rheeder's team of Phil McLean and Austin Davignon took away the Kia Digger Award.
Semenuk was among the many riders who wanted to drop in for a second run, eager to improve his score. However, the wind had other plans as it refused to let up, meaning there was no window to ride and the podium places were cemented.
