Cam McCaul has already taken part in the Red Bull Rampage himself and will Mountain bike competition in the Utah desert in 2022 to moderate. FREERIDE spoke to him.
"Difficult selection of wildcard riders!"
FREERIDE: Ten riders are seeded for the Red Bull Rampage, eight wildcard riders will be added this year. Who selects the candidates?
Cam McCaul: A jury. It consists of Aaron Chase, Randy Spangler, Rampage organiser Todd Barber, Dave Smutok, Nico Vink and myself.
How do you choose?
Based on video edits, photos and the application. In it, the riders explain why they deserve to compete at the Red Bull Rampage. This year, 23 riders applied. The selection was difficult, but very fair in my opinion.
23 riders is a lot. Who else would you have liked to see in the competition?
Bienve (Bienvenido Aguado Alba) is a very exciting rider with a very special style. Maybe he can move up. Adolf Silva as well. Dude, you should have seen Adolf at the Proving Grounds. He did a canonball (no footed double seatgrab) from the highest drop and then tried a double flip. Unfortunately, he crashed. Adolf is such a broadcaster - unbelievable!
Which Red Bull Rampage newcomer inspired you last year?
Brage Vestavik. Unfortunately, he couldn't compete in the final because of his crash in the 14-metre drop. But the guy is awesome! It's a shame that Brage can't compete this year.
Who are you looking forward to this year?
To Alex Volokhov from Nelson, B.C. He should have joined the Rampage a long time ago. I'm glad he's in this year. Every one of his edits is a blast. But Dylan Stark and William Robert deserve it too. Dylan Stark, because he has his own style, surprises with wild ideas and proved at the Proving Grounds two years in a row that he is a super strong contest rider. William Robert has been trying to start at the Rampage for so long. Now he's finally allowed to, and I can't wait to see what he makes of this opportunity.
Hardline, FEST-Series, Proving Grounds ... is the Rampage still the most extreme bike competition?
What I do know is that the Rampage is much, much gnarlier than you can imagine when you watch the live broadcast. The Rampage is the most dangerous competition I've seen with my own eyes. And you don't even have to be on the bike. Last year, a cameraman fell off the cliff. It's a miracle he survived. The final of the Red Bull Rampage will be super exciting and will be broadcast live on 21 October. All I can say is: don't miss it!
Red Bull Rampage Warriors in the FREERIDE check
1st Tom van Steenbergen (26)
His Front flip drop was one of the highlights of 2021but later in the run Tom crashed and broke his hips. We are surprised that he is able to compete this year. The Canadian always amazed us at the Rampage, but is also considered a "loose cannon", someone who dares and risks too much. Highlights: his monstrous front flip over the 25 metre wide canyon gap in 2014. If Tom had landed the flip, he would have been guaranteed a win, but unfortunately he skidded over the handlebars. The impact had completely crumpled his bike. Also legendary: the Caveman drop. Tom stood on the cliff, pushed off and climbed onto his bike as he fell.
2. Brage Vestavik (23)
Last year, the courageous Norwegian attempted the highest drop (14 metres) ever jumped at a Rampage. Unfortunately, he crashed on landing and broke his shoulder. The injury is still bothering him today. Therefore: no participation! This disappoints his fans worldwide. The good news: Brage is currently preparing a video edit that even his spectacular X-Games real edit to put it in the shade.
3. Graham Agassiz (32)
The Canadian was one of the top favourites for many years, winning the qualifiers several times (2013, 14, 15), but was often unlucky. Aggy doesn't even want to compete in 2022. This is surprising, because the Red Bull Rampage is a competition that is tailor-made for Aggy and he has everything you need for a top result: Courage, tricks, determination, skills. The only thing that seems to be lacking is luck.
4. Cam Zink (36)
The American from Nevada is the oldie in the starting field, but that doesn't mean anything. Zink always takes full risks and remains true to his big bike style. He has countless superstunts on his list of Rampage achievements. He only managed to win the competition in 2010, since then he always seems to get bounced by the competition jury. Let's see how he fares this year. Insiders rumour that 2022 will be his last Red Bull Rampage.
5. Alex Volokhov (28)
Alex is from Nelson, B.C. and is known for his action-packed YouTube edits. Nelson is considered a hotbed of freeriding. Alex got one of the eight coveted wildcards and has to prove himself. Without a good result, this year's participation will probably be a long shot. Alex knows this and will try to give it his all.
6. Dylan Stark (30)
Dylan is a former street BMXer without fear. Anyone who knows his YouTube edits knows what we mean. He came second to Rheeder in the Proving Grounds freeride contest. This also earned him a wildcard. Dylan has wanted to compete at the Rampage for years.
7th Bienvenido Alba (35)
The former gymnast from Barcelona would have loved to be part of the super competition. In 2019, he fluffed his front flip drop and messed up the result. As a second chance, he was only granted a back-up place, but Bienve is at the top of the list and looks set to move up.
8. Brett Rheeder (29)
Rheeder is back after injury! The Canadian and 2018 winner is probably the rider who can pose the greatest threat to last year's winner Semenuk. Rheeder will also be competing for more tricks with a single crown fork on his Trek Session downhill bike. Like Semenuk, Rheeder is considered a perfectionist. Insiders believe that he could clinch his second Red Bull Rampage victory this year.
9. William Robert (29)
The Frenchman with the English-sounding name lives south of Paris, where he has built drops and jumps in the forest. His web edits are packed with action, his repertoire of tricks is extensive - ideal conditions for a successful Rampage debut, in our opinion. However, whether he has what it takes to really score points at the Red Bull Rampage depends above all on his nerves of steel.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
