Red Bull Rampage 2024: Godmothers make their mark in a new era of freeride MTB

We recap a history-making Red Bull Rampage which saw women competing for the first time and a record-breaking fifth win for Brandon Semenuk.
By Denis Kremenetskiy and Anna Kremenetskiy
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Georgia Astle, Robin Goomes and Casey Brown celebrate at Red Bull Rampage in St. George, Utah, USA on October 10, 2024. // Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

This year, for the first time, seven of the best female freeriders took on Red Bull Rampage, starting a new chapter for the sport. The women’s course, located on the left of the men’s, was a fresh canvas, similar in height and steepness.

Robin Goomes backflips at Red Bull Rampage in St. George, Utah, USA on October 10, 2024. // Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool

Robin Goomes made history as the first-ever women’s Rampage champion with her bold riding and signature backflip. She rode a tough, rocky line that included a huge 41ft drop, finishing her run with another backflip to score 85 points and take the win.

Georgia Astle finished in second place with a solid run, nailing a technical chute and a 41-foot drop, followed by a clean suicide no-hander, earning 79 points.

Casey Brown, a women’s freeride pioneer, came in third. She rode aggressively, handling one of the trickiest features, the “Laundry Chute” rock roll, and scored 77.33.

A group of mountain bikers gathering on a rocky slope, with one person wearing a pink helmet and raising their hand in excitement. Another individual is checking their phone while standing near a bicycle. In the background, a Red Bull flag is visible against a backdrop of sandy terrain.
A mountain biker performs a jump off a rocky ramp during the Red Bull Rampage event, while onlookers watch from the surrounding rocky terrain. The scene is set against a backdrop of rugged hills and shrubbery, with a Red Bull banner visible in the background.
Unless noted, all photos Anna and Denis Kremenetskiy.

Goomes climbing to the top of the mountain (above left) and riding a big drop coming to the finish line (above right).

It was good to see new faces on the mountain carrying digging tools and working on lines.

A mountain biker performs a jump on rocky terrain surrounded by spectators on a hillside. The landscape features warm, earthy tones with sparse vegetation and natural rock formations. Several people are watching from elevated positions, emphasizing the adventurous atmosphere of the scene.
A mountain biker performing a jump off a rocky cliff in a desert landscape, with another person observing the jump in the background. The scene captures the rugged terrain with brown hills and sparse vegetation under a clear sky.
A mountain biker performing a jump off a rocky cliff into a desert landscape, with warm-toned earth and sparse vegetation surrounding the scene.

Clockwise from top left: Vero Sandler moving fast down the mountain, Vaea Verbeek looking comfortable on the drops, and Vinny Armstrong executing a stylish bar turn at the drop.

These women showcased their skills and pushed the sport forward, making this competition a historic moment for women’s freeride. The future is bright, and this is only the beginning.

The finish line at Rampage changes people.

The men of Red Bull Rampage

The men’s competition started on a cold and windy morning, which kept most riders below for warm up. As the sun was about to come, the crowds of spectators were already rolling in. Red Bull was playing famous music and videos on their jumbo-trons, so everyone had a good time right away. This year’s competition took place on a different side of the mountain, so nobody really knew what to expect from the riders. Strait, Zink, Storch and Godziek shared the right side, while most of the others were on the left. Even though it was hard to see action for some, the commentators and multiple screens kept crowds entertained.

Most of the staff showed up at 5am, and the riders arrived at 6am before sunrise to get all the details figured out. To access the venue, I had the option of taking a dusty shuttle, a private side-by-side, or a bicycle with a headlamp. I chose my e-bike because it let me get in before everyone else and observe how the event gets started. It took a while for the sun to come over the ridge and illuminate the course, which meant practice had to happen in pretty low light.

Two men are standing and talking outdoors in a desert setting, with rugged terrain in the background. One man, wearing a blue and black checkered shirt and a baseball cap, has a backpack and appears engaged in conversation. The other man, dressed in a tan checked shirt, shorts, and a wide-brimmed hat, holds a hiking stick. Dirt-covered vehicles are parked nearby, indicating an outdoor adventure. The scene captures a casual moment between two individuals in a natural environment.
A cyclist performing a backflip on a mountain bike in mid-air, surrounded by spectators and a videographer capturing the action. The scene is set against a backdrop of hills and a clear sky, showcasing the excitement of extreme sports.

Legends like Josh Bender and Randy Spangler (above left) were the first ones to arrive and manage the judging process. It was good to see Bender out there laying down the law as one of the OG’s.

Tommy G. (above right) was one of the first riders to start practicing during the day of finals, and later on he was the second to the last person to throw down a competition run. He and Semenuk were the only two riders to opt for a second competition run.

Semenuk climbed the mountain early in the morning, and had a good practice run even in the windy conditions.

A mountain biker wearing a helmet and protective gear, sitting on a bike and looking intently at the terrain ahead. The background features a crowd of spectators on a rocky landscape, indicating a competitive biking event. The cyclist's gear displays a black and white design with sponsor logos.
A close-up of a mountain biker wearing a colorful helmet with the visor tilted back, looking focused and determined. He has a tattooed arm and is dressed in a black and white long-sleeve jersey. The background features rocky terrain, suggesting an outdoor biking environment.

Tyler McCaul aka T-Mac (above left), being a local, had his eye on the prize early on. Not being able to compete the last few years despite living at the base of Rampage, he’s ready to crush this course.

Cam Zink (above right) was surrounded by his usual friends like Kyle Strait and Carson Storch as their lines shared the same side of the mountain. Unfortunately, Zinks’ line had a pretty serious wind factor that caused him to crash at the top of his run and he had to get air lifted. A few days later, Zink is in stable condition with a punctured lung and a few cracked ribs. We wish him the best in his recovery and can’t wait to see him return.

Szymon Godziek was another fan favorite and for most of the day looked like the winner, until Semenuk finished his second run.

Godziek’s run had a massive front flip and plenty of backflips which landed him on top of the box after the first run.

Bienve Aguado had a massive canyon gap that ended in a crash and a wheel explosion. His sponsor YT decided to honor the moment and put his bike on display at the event, while he grabbed his other bike for the finals. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to clear the canyon gap in the finals, but he definitely was a fan favorite and was around till the end to support all the athletes.

A mountain biker in a teal helmet and beige shirt leans into a turn while riding on a dirt trail through a grassy field, with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky. Dust is kicked up behind the bike, capturing the excitement of the ride.
A young mountain biker wearing a colorful helmet with a camera mounted on top, looking up thoughtfully. He is dressed in a red and blue jersey with branding, set against a rugged outdoor environment with rocky terrain in the background.

The YT booth was giving out custom (permanent) tattoos. I personally have never seen anything like this at an event.

Talus Turk (above right) looked really smooth in practise and was eyeing up his flat drop backflip.

Meanwhile, the crowds were gathering, and everyone was trying to find a rock to climb up for a better perspective for the main show.

Paul Basagotia was having a good time being back on the mountain after his glorious recovery from breaking his back and not being able to walk following a huge crash at Rampage in 2015.

Reed Boggs, another local, had a massive drop at the end that his crew worked on right up until the finals started. Luckily, it was all gravy for Boggs.

A panoramic view of rocky terrain with dust and smoke rising, highlighting a steep slope where a mountain biker is performing a jump. Two individuals in white shirts can be seen walking along a pathway in the foreground, with a "Red Bull Rampage" banner visible on the rock face. The landscape features scattered vegetation and various rock formations, with spectators positioned higher up on the cliffs.
Two mountain bikers stand on a rocky slope surrounded by swirling dust. The scene is dramatic, with a faint outline of the rocky terrain visible through the dust clouds, highlighting the rugged landscape. A banner reading "Red Bull Rampage" is partially visible on a rock formation, indicating the adventure sports event taking place. The setting conveys a sense of intensity and excitement in a natural outdoor environment.

Thomas Genon aka Tommy G had a little case on top of the mountain that resulted in a pretty dramatic bike tumble down a cliff. He was one of two riders who chose to make a second run, and clearly motivated, he came back for redemption after not being able to show off his skills. And fortunately the media folks in the area were safe after that tumble.

Luke Whitlock was looking smooth riding his Propane bicycle and being one of the few riders to wear RENEN gear, designed by the famous Pete Fox from Fox Racing.

A mountain biker performing an impressive jump off a rocky ledge during a competition, with photographers capturing the action in the foreground. The clear blue sky and surrounding desert vegetation enhance the dynamic scene. A Red Bull event banner is visible in the background.
A mountain biker performs a mid-air trick above a dirt jump at the Red Bull Rampage event, surrounded by spectators on a rocky hillside.

Boggs and Silva shared similar lines and everyone liked Silva’s double flips at the end.

T-Mac showing off his signature backflip nac.

T-Mac’s lines seemed to define gravity. Up top, he had a massive canyon gap that sent him down the rest of the mountain really fast, even on the most techy parts.

A mountain biker performs a trick upside down above a rocky landscape during a competition. In the foreground, several spectators capture the moment with cameras, while a Red Bull Rampage banner is visible on a wooden structure nearby. The natural surroundings include sparse vegetation and rugged terrain.
A cyclist performing a jump on a dirt bike while soaring over a ramp in a desert landscape. The rider is wearing a helmet and protective gear, with the bike slightly tilted during the trick. In the background, there are tents and structures associated with a biking event, along with a mountain range under clear skies. The rider's shadow is cast onto the ground.

Strait showed his main moves: backflips, no handers, and my favorite, flat table. It goes to show how classic moves are always a good look at Rampage. And Kyle’s shoulder buzzer table (above right) has been his signature for a long time.

Storch and Strait shared the same side of the mountain where happy vibes, smiles, and country music contributed to the surrounding energy.

A mountain biker performs a mid-air trick while jumping off a rocky ledge during the Red Bull Rampage event, with a Red Bull Rampage logo visible on the rock face. The scene showcases a rugged desert landscape under clear skies.
A mountain biker performs a spectacular flip above a rocky landscape, surrounded by spectators capturing the moment with cameras. The scene is set against a scenic backdrop featuring mountains and a cloudy sky.

Brendan Fairclough aka Brendog had the most downhill-race inspired course, where he chose to drop and roll off an impossible cliff. He was’t sure it would work right up until the night before finals. The crowd booed the judges’ low scores after his run.

A mountain biker performs a jump off a steep rocky cliff during a competition, with dust flying around. A small group of spectators watches from a distance, capturing the moment on cameras. The landscape features rugged terrain, with sparse vegetation and a clear blue sky above.
A mountain biker performing a backflip off a dirt jump, with dust being kicked up around them. The scene is set in a rugged, rocky environment, and several spectators can be seen on top of the nearby hill, watching the action. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day.
A mountain biker performs a mid-air trick, flipping upside down above a dirt jump in a rocky terrain. Spectators watch from a distance on the hillside as dust rises from the jump site, capturing the excitement of an extreme sports event.
A mountain biker performs a mid-air trick above a dirt jump during a competition, surrounded by rugged rocky terrain. Dust is kicked up from the landing area, and spectators can be seen on a nearby ridge watching the action.
A BMX rider performs a trick while jumping off a dirt ramp, surrounded by rocky terrain and spectators on a hillside. Dust rises from the ground as the rider is mid-air, showcasing a dynamic and adventurous scene in an outdoor setting.

Semenuk impressed everyone with his tailwhip drop to lilly pad. Unfortunately, the stepdown backflip tailwhip took Semenuk out in his first run.

A racer in a brown and white jacket holds a trophy while standing in front of a large Red Bull sign. He is raising one hand and smiling, with dirt on his hands, indicating a recent dirt biking event. The backdrop includes the words "Rider" and "Utah 2024."

After a long wind delay, Semenuk went for his second run and landed the trick he crashed on previously, giving him his fifth victory, a record.

Three mountain bikers stand on a podium, holding their trophies aloft in celebration. The backdrop features the Red Bull logo and event signage, with scores listed on the left. The scene is illuminated by a warm sunset glow, capturing a moment of achievement and excitement from the competition.
Three mountain bikers celebrate on the podium after a competition, spraying champagne amidst a backdrop featuring the Red Bull logo. A scoreboard lists the finalists' scores, with the sun setting in the background. Spectators capture the moment with their cameras, while flags wave in the breeze.
A group of three individuals celebrating on a podium, with one person drinking from a can and another holding a bottle. They are positioned in front of a large Red Bull logo against a clear blue sky, capturing a moment of victory or celebration in an outdoor sporting event.
Semenuk drinks a “Shoey,” a ritual where you drink beer out of your dirty shoe after winning a major competition like Rampage.

In the end, Brandon Semenuk took first place with Szymon Godziek in second and Tyler McCaul in third.

 
A mountain biker in protective gear smiles while leaning on their bike in a rocky, desert landscape. The bike features a prominent brand logo, and the surrounding terrain is dry with sparse vegetation.
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