Women's Red Bull Rampage: New era - the final action happens today on 10 October
Dimitri Lehner
· 10.10.2024
At events such as Red Bull Formation, Hardline and Darkfest in South Africa, female freeriders have shown that the time is ripe. Now Red Bull has invited eight women to Utah to battle it out amongst themselves for the Queen of Freeriding at the Rampage on 10 October (Utah time). What is surprising is that the women have been assigned a terrain where no Rampage has ever been held before. In other words, the terrain is raw and untouched, which will demand a lot of effort from the trail building teams. Rampage rider Clemens Kaudela suspects that the organisers' intention behind this was not to put the women under pressure to compare themselves with the men. This would have been the case in an area where the men had already held a Rampage. Will the plan work? Scene expert Kathi Kuypers has described the eight female rampagers for you and assessed their chances of winning.
Robin Goomes (NZL)
Robin grew up on an island in the Pacific, rode a lot of motocross and served in the army for five years after school. She discovered freeriding in Rotorua, jumped her first backflip in competition and was the first woman to complete a top-to-bottom run at Darkfest 2023. Robin is considered the unofficial boss of female slopestylers. Chance of victory: 5/6
Casey Brown (CAN)
Casey is an all-rounder. She has raced World Cup DH, EWS, Fest Series, Proving Grounds etc. She almost ended up in the Canadian freeski team, but decided in favour of freeride MTB. The multiple Queen of Crankworx and Whip-Off winner now lives in Revelstoke, B.C. and is the most recognisable face in women's freeriding. Chance of victory: 5/6
Camila Nogueira (ARG)
The Propain rider comes from the Patagonian Andes, lives in Colorado and is known for her go-for-it attitude. Steep terrain is her thing, Camila has won the big mountain slopestyle "Proving Grounds" twice and took part in the "Tour de Gnar" - the best prerequisites for a Rampage podium finish. Chance of victory: 6/6
Unfortunately, Camila was injured in training; the favourite cannot start!
Vero Sandler (UK)
World Cup Downhill, Darkfest, X-Games-Real - Vero is known for steez & style. The Santa Cruz rider grew up in New Zealand and discovered her love for stunts and jumps in the bike parks. Her wealth of experience and steel nerves will help Vero to achieve a good Rampage placing. I'm particularly looking forward to her runs. Chance of victory: 2/6
Vaea Verbeeck (CAN)
Skiing, snowboarding, gymnastics - Vaea did nothing else, then she got on her bike and developed a taste for competitions. The Rocky Mountain rider became multiple Queen of Crankworx. Today she lives on Vancouver Island and rides downhill. Her enormous will to win will drive her to peak performance at the Rampage. Chance of victory: 3/6
Vinny Armstrong (NZL)
Vinny is the "Queen of Style" - everyone agrees. No one looks better on a bike than the New Zealander. Check out her edit "Shimmer"! When it's winter on her island, the Forbidden rider travels to the Canadian summer and lives a gipsy lifestyle. Vinny isn't afraid of big jumps - that's what makes her a favourite. Chance of victory: 3/6
Jess Blewitt (NZL)
The intrepid yet shy blonde drew attention to herself when she became the first woman, aged just 20, to compete at the Red Bull Hardline. She dared to do the fat bone-crushing drop that even Brage Vestavik had failed to do. Jess allegedly comes from a wealthy family and rides for Cube Downhill in the World Cup. Chance of victory: 2/6
Unfortunately, Jess was injured while downhilling in the run-up to the Rampage and has been ruled out for the Rampage, although she was one of the first riders nominated. She has been replaced by Georgia Astle from Canada.
Hannah Bergemann (USA)
The Red Bull rider pushes women's feeriding the hardest. Together with Casey Brown, Hannah was the driving force behind the introduction of a women's classification at the Rampage. At the Hardline in Tasmania, she showed that she has all the skills to win the first women's Rampage. Chance of victory: 2/6
Unfortunately, Hannah ruptured her Achilles tendon and will not be able to take part in the first women's rampage. She will be replaced by Chelsea Kimball from the USA.
Chelsea Kimball (USA)
The Specialized rider moved up and is delighted to have the chance to take part in the first women's rampage. She has already demonstrated her skills in the past at events such as Red Bull Formation and the Big Mountain Slopestyle Proving Grounds.
Georgia Astle (CAN)
The charismatic Canadian from British Columbia grew up in Whistler. The bike park moulded her into an accomplished freerider, but Georgia also competes in enduro and downhill races. The passionate motocrosser replaced the injured Hannah Bergemann.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
