Canadians to watch at Red Bull Rampage
Past winners and podium threats cross the 49th-parallel to take on Utah freeride contest
Canada will be exceptionally well represented when Red Bull Rampage starts on Friday outside Virgin, Utah.
Six riders have crossed the 49th parallel to take on the out sized freeride competition this year. Among them are three past Rampage winners. Brett Rheeder is the most recent, having won for the first time in 2018. He’ll be joined by Brandon Semenuk and Kurt Sorge, both with multiple wins to their name.
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Rounding out the Canadian contingent are Graham Agassiz, Tom van Steenbergen, and Reece Wallace. All are returning Rampage riders with excellent results in the past. All six Canucks will be hunting for the podium on Friday.
Brett Rheeder
The Canadian slopestyle rider has been at Rampage several times already. In 2018, he pulled off an emotional victory, winning the event. Rheeder already has wins at Crankworx Innsbruck and Crankworx Rotorua slopestyle events this year. Rampage is a whole different beast, though, and Rheeder will be looking to hold on to his crown on Friday.
Brandon Semenuk
2008, 2016 rampage winner. Multiple time Red Bull Joyride winner. Renowned for his ability to combine an incredibly smooth style on the bike with innovative and technically demanding tricks. One of the best freeride mountain bikers ever, and still getting better.
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Kurt Sorge
Three time Red Bull Rampage winner Kurt Sorge hails from the big mountains of Nelson, B.C. His hometown’s notoriously steep trails clearly help him prepare for the annual Red Bull freeride event in the desert, as he’s a perennial Rampage podium threat. Sorge rolled into 2018 fresh off an injury. This year, he’ll be looking to add to his wins from 2012, 2015 and 2017.
Tom van Steenbergen
Fourth overall in 2018, van Steenbergen also scored best trick. His massive Caveman Drop surprised everyone, including the judges. It left enough of an impression to earn best trick last year. This year, van Steenbergen will be hoping his whole run scores high enough to make the podium.
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Graham Agassiz
2015 Red Bull Rampage bronze medallist, Graham Agassiz is back in Utah, and looking for that elusive win. The crowd favourite rider has been close in the past, very close, but hasn’t made that final step to the top of the leaderboard. Yet.
Reece Wallace
Reece Wallace started his Rampage career as part of Brandon Semenuk’s dig crew. In 2015, Wallace had his chance to compete for himself. After a few years away from the event, Wallace is back for 2019.
