The history of the RBDR: Red Bull District Ride in Nuremberg 2004 to 2022
FREERIDE Magazin
· 27.11.2022
2004: The initial spark for the Red Bull District Ride
Instead of bringing the spectators to the mountains, bring the bikers to the city - cool thinking. Urban freeriding is the magic word. Cory Moore and Tarek Rasouli are initially realising their idea in Meersburg on Lake Constance. The Ride to the Lake is born; today it is regarded as the predecessor of the Red Bull District Ride. The premiere is a success. Around 30,000 spectators marvel at the freeride elite as they drop and trick over rooftops, including Cedric Gracia, Kyle Strait, Wade Simmons, Carlo Diekmann and Guido Tschugg.
2005: Premiere in Nuremberg
The idea remains the same, only the venue changes. Now riders such as Aaron Chase, Darren Berrecloth and Paul Basagoitia drop from the castle wall in the Franconian metropolis of Nuremberg. Various so-called districts contain different stunts and jumps. For the first time, a best trick competition takes place - even under floodlights. Everyone is happy afterwards: sponsors, spectators and Nuremberg's mayor. The way is paved for another edition.
2006: Expansion of the Red Bull District Ride to Sicily
The competition format is so successful that the organisers are considering and implementing a competition series. The District Ride is being given a spin-off in Catania, Sicily - the course is similar to the one in Nuremberg. In narrow alleyways, the riders jump over ramps or drop from wooden ladders into the depths. The final takes place in Nuremberg again. For the first time, the course ends at Rathausplatz. The overall winner of both events is Paul Basagoitia. The prize: a pick-up truck from the event sponsor.
Read the following articles about the Red Bull District Ride:
2011: Comeback after a five-year break
After a five-year break, there is great anticipation for a new edition of the District Ride. This time the course designer is Aaron Chase, District Ride winner in 2005, who comes up with the crazy idea of having the riders take a run-up from the town hall. From here, they accelerate onto an XXL jump with the help of a giant wooden wave. The District Ride in Nuremberg is the final of the still young FMB World Tour. For the first time, it will be broadcast live around the world. Sam Pilgrim spins over the final jump in a backflip no hander (sensation!) and wins ahead of Martin Söderström and Brandon Semenuk (FMB champ).
2014: Giant duel at the RBDR
Slopestyle is more progressive than ever in 2014, and the District Ride has long since achieved legendary status worldwide. For the final run in Nuremberg, the athletes take off from the highest floor of the town hall. The super tricksters, Brandon Semenuk and Brett Rheeder, fight a tough duel - over 65,000 spectators cheer, tremble and cheer. Also in the starting field: Andreu Lacondeguy, who wins the Red Bull Rampage shortly afterwards. He scoops the best trick award. Ex-BMXer Nicholi Rogatkin (18) starts for the first time (without a visor) in Nuremberg and finishes in 8th place.
2017: Red Bull District Ride with an extremely high number of tricks
The 5th edition of the District Ride in Nuremberg is hard to beat in terms of trick level - Wirbelmania. Course designer Aaron Chase gives the course in the historic city centre a successful update with skate park elements. Crowd favourite and whirling machine Nicholi Rogatkin (21) spins for all he's worth and wins the sympathy of the jury and the people of Nuremberg with his 1140° gyro. Result: 1st place for the American. Emil Johansson took second place, third place went to Szymon Godziek, who also won the best trick award with a tsunami backflip. Best German: Erik Fedko (5th place).
2022: Dominator Emil Johansson
The 6th edition was supposed to take place in 2020, but then Covid intervened and paralysed everything. It was only this year that the legendary District Ride in Nuremberg took place again. The police (yes, they calculate the numbers) counted 120,000 spectators on Friday and Saturday. Thankfully, the event was spared the rain. Emil Johansson dominates, defending champion Rogatkin has to admit defeat. German Erik Fedko finished in third place, the best German finalist since the event began in 2004.
Women will be allowed to train on the course and take part in the Best Trick Award for the first time in 2022. Caroline Buchanan (AUS), Gemma Corbera (ESP), Patricia Druwen (GER), Kathi Kuypers (GER) and Ellie Chew (NZL) can ride an FMB Diamond course for the first time in the history of mountain bike slopestyle. Spain's Gemma Corbera takes victory in the Women's Best Trick Contest at the District Ride with a huge backflip.
The next Red Bull District Ride will take place in 2025 at the earliest - we will of course keep you up to date.
