Interview with freeride pro Clemens Kaudela: "Ticket to the Red Bull Rampage!"

FREERIDE: Are you injured?

Clemens Kaudela: Yes. I came back from Utah today. I was filming there for my new video project. A few days ago I crashed there, fell on the back of my head and was immediately unconscious. Result: helmet destroyed, bike destroyed and diagnosis: severe concussion. I was lucky in misfortune. But I'm upset that I couldn't jump the super-fat jump I'd already built there.

In other words: You have to go to Utah again?

As soon as Darkfest is over, I'm flying to Utah again. Because I really want to make the jump, and of course I want to finish filming my video edit.

What kind of film will it be?

I've been dreaming of building stunts in Utah and shooting a video there for 15 years. And now I've finally managed to do it. It's my own project, but my sponsors are supporting me, because it's insanely expensive for four of us to travel to Utah, build and film there.

Why Utah?

I was influenced by the films I saw when I first started biking. That was around 2003 and the Kranked films 3 and 4 and New World Disorder 3 and 4 made a big impression on me. They showed big mountain freeriding in Utah. Back then I thought to myself: you want to do that one day. Now the time has come. I wanted to transfer my riding and my riding style to the Utah terrain.

Andreu Lacondeguy said: "Utah, Utah, always Utah, I can't see it anymore!" Isn't Utah already quite worn out?

I had the same fear. But there are so many possibilities there, it's incredible. And we have built stunts that have never been done before.

Now you're making me curious.

I wanted to combine big mountain riding with the jumping dimensions of Darkfest. And I managed to pull off a few sick stunts.

When do we get to see the film?

My original plan was thwarted by the crash. That's why I want to film the last stunts after Darkfest and then put the film online at the end of May.

Film as a ticket for the Red Bull Rampage

A film like this could be a ticket to the Red Bull Rampage, Reed Boggs has succeeded.

Laughs. Yes, well recognised. I had that ulterior motive. I've been to the Rampage twice so far as a trail builder for Szymon Godziek. As we all know, the Red Bull Rampage the holy grail of all freeride mountain bikers, the greatest thing you can achieve in the sport. I am firmly convinced that I am a Rampage rider - with my building skills in combination with my riding skills. The Rampage suits me, I know that, but I have to convince the organisers.

Have you already tried it?

I've applied a few times in the past few years, but they said they didn't know if I would be able to use my biking skills in Utah terrain. That's why I decided to do the Utah edit. It was to convince the Rampage organisers. It's very difficult to get in. There are only a few places next to the seeded riders.

I would think that Darkfest is enough of a calling card for a Rampage participation. What about Darkfest 2023?

I don't want to give too much away, otherwise the surprise effect will fizzle out. Perhaps this: we want to build the longest jump even longer.

Yet Darkfest already boasts the longest jumps in the world.

That's right. But we have realised that the jumps, now that they are perfectly shaped, make even more possible. That's why we want to include options so that the rider can decide to branch off to jump 10 metres further.

You and Sam Reynolds are the ones behind Darkfest, right?

Nico Vink was originally still on board. But he dropped out.

Why?

I don't want to offend anyone, but I'll explain it like this: there is a group of riders who reject anything that smacks of commerce. On the other hand, the drivers themselves have sponsors. What bothered Nico about Darkfest was that we wanted to make it bigger in terms of media and, for example, allow every rider to do as much social media as they want in order to get the most out of it for themselves. Professional freeriders have a hard enough time making ends meet anyway, so we want to provide maximum support. Nico, on the other hand, wants there to be a social media blackout at his events, nobody is allowed to post anything and then at some point a highlight edit comes out. I don't think that recipe makes sense. The discussion resulted in a dispute that was publicised and certainly didn't do us any good.

So there were two camps?

Actually, it was just Nico. And maybe Andreu Lacondeguy. Andreu was also very anti-commercial. The other riders stayed out of the discussion. The fact that the Fest Series is fundamentally weakening is more down to a lack of commitment. The Canadians no longer organise anything. Everything has fallen asleep a bit. But I'm currently trying to organise more events.

Nico Vink was also reportedly upset that Cam Zink called his event Fest.

Cam Zink didn't want his event to be part of the Fest series. He was of the opinion that every second event in Austria is called something with a festival and that it is not a protected term. And Cam Zink was right. That's why he called his event: The Biggest little Fest. Cam Zink is very pragmatic and a doer type. He doesn't ramble on for long, he gets on with it.

Were you at his invitational?

He recently invited me back and wanted me to build the course for his event. But unfortunately I can't split up into two, this year I'm too busy with Darkfest and my video project.

Who's coming to Darkfest 2023? Are there any new riders this year, perhaps a German?

The field of riders has not yet been finalised. But we always want to have 2-3 new, young drivers with us. Because young drivers bring fresh energy. That makes for a good atmosphere.

Are there many riders who want to take part in Darkfest?

Yes, very many. 30-40. I'm always surprised. It's difficult for us to choose, because the rider not only has to have the skills for such long jumps, but also has to fit into the team.

How many riders are you at Darkfest?

15 to 20 plus the women. There is a core group of riders who are always there, such as Nicholi Rogatkin, Adolf Silva and Bineve.

You took part in the big mountain slopestyle Proving Grounds in Oregon last year. The event is now to be expanded into a series. Are you interested in that?

Very. I took part last year and it was a lot of fun. Because there's not just one course, but lots of variations that you can put together to suit your run. I also like the fact that there are 10-metre drops and other cool stunts. In short: a cool format. Also very well organised by Todd Barber, the man behind the Red Bull Rampage. But unfortunately there was no driver support. We had to pay for everything ourselves apart from lunch. As a European rider, that's extremely expensive. It cost me 5000 euros to be able to take part.

Maybe that will change if it becomes a big series. Do you already know more about where the other events will take place?

Hopefully. Snowboard pro Travis Rice is involved in the organisation. That's a good sign. As far as I know, there will be an event in Alaska, in New Zealand, the original one in Oregon and another one somewhere else in the USA.

Will you be taking part?

It helps me for the Red Bull Rampage if I take part in the Proving Grounds. It gives me practice for contest riding. So: yes, if everything works out.

Good Luck!