#fckRampage?

[KingTJ]

not all of them - some have literally driven there on their own with their own bike and just them and mate digging...prob bribed with beer or free entrance

...i will withdraw that section, my apologies

[Donovan Le Cok]

I have never really been a fan of the event, I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because it is almost uncomfortable to watch.

The prize money or appearance fee may be low so that guys aren't motivated to do it for the cash?

[WIPEOUT 1000]

Reminds me of the Kevin Pearce documentary. "The Crash Reel" deals with snow boarding, but the risks are very similar.

 

I think this is simple exploitation and it's just a matter of time before someone gets killed.

[Tumbleweed]

I have never really been a fan of the event, I am not sure why. Perhaps it is because it is almost uncomfortable to watch.

The prize money or appearance fee may be low so that guys aren't motivated to do it for the cash?

 

Motivated by the exposure. They see it is a ticket to sponsorship deals and movie gigs. 

[Headshot]

I always watch it and have huge admiration for the riders. This year the coverage was exceptional  and I got a real feel for how scary that piece of mountain is. In fact some of the still photographs left me with a bit of a sweat and a racing pulse never mind the video. The very real fear of the riders came out as well. We all know what it feels like - that new piece of trail with a few jumps and drops ( tiny ones) and that nervous energy before you commit... These guys must be so overdosed on adrenaline after those runs on that massive terrain. I can't even imagine riding that exposed ridge line let alone any of the "easier"  drops - its just mind blowing.

 

I thought this year was one of the best editions because the wind held off and most riders did 2 runs.

 

These things stood out for me:

 

1. Many riders not wearing body armour - we all know you can die racing an enduro or XC race and broken bones and backs happen at all levels of the sport. Was Paul Bas wearing  a back saver and would it have helped?

 

2. The riders are progressing - its natural to want to out do the next guy. That's not RB's fault. These guys are adrenaline junkies  - thats why they do it. Adding money wont make it safer. Adding a body armour rule might though.

 

3. Those huge drops that Al and GA pioneered last year are now being ridden well and by more riders - that's progression.

 

4. Guys like Vink and Zink doing some super steep stuff. Would have loved to see Vinks line work for him in the finals and Zink get a decent score.

 

5. Bizet - He has progressed and is a maniac - if he manages to do a full run full of mad tricks like a double back flip he could win.

 

6. Sam Reynolds  - he impresses with his versatility and balls. He seemed to enjoy the event hugely - no whinging from him. Tommy G was also superb - beating out Rheeder to take the overall FMB.

 

6. Judging was dodgy. Bearclaw got over scored, Reynolds and Zink under scored etc etc...

 

Great event - very dangerous but the riders know it. They will set their own limits and I think that limit is very close now....

[Danger Dassie]

No matter the stance on the risk and riders rights, limits etc.

This paragraph alone illustrates where problems come in and sets a dangerous precedent. 

 

"As press, when we sign our papers to get approved for a media pass, among the many legal clauses we agree to is one stating that we will never post a photo of a bad crash or a rider's condition after the fact. It's literally the first clause in a two page agreement. Why not? Why the hell can't the public know what happens out there? Why must it be shrouded in secrecy? Rampage is no walk in the park. What you're asking the riders to do is literally a life or death situation. There's no hiding that.

 

We understand keeping things quiet out of respect for the athlete and their family until the time comes if/when they want to tell the world, but Red Bull attempted to sweep this one under the rug. They stated that Paul was just fine and told the announcers the same (who in turn unknowingly told the public), when in fact he's fighting just to feel his legs and feet again, let alone walk. You only get in a medical heli evac when you're badly injured."

[wiledog_x]

Cam Zink posted this link on his FB page. Very good read on this topic.

 

"Welcome to Rampage – the most hypocritical event in action sports."

 

http://www.theviewfromthecorner.com/2015/10/agents-for-change.html

[Tumbleweed]

Cam Zink posted this link on his FB page. Very good read on this topic.

 

"Welcome to Rampage – the most hypocritical event in action sports."

 

http://www.theviewfromthecorner.com/2015/10/agents-for-change.html

 

The line that stood out most:

 

“It’s kind of like smoking cigarettes,” he said. “It’s bad, everyone knows it’s bad, but it’s still kind of fun.”

[Capricorn]

Pehaps i've missed it, but what's curiously absent in all the social media exchanges, which now includes mainstream MTB media, is a response from Redbull.

[Tumbleweed]

Going back to that opinion piece. That woman needs to get over herself. Who is she to define what a sport is?

 

Let’s help promote the change our sport needs to see.  

[Tumbleweed]

Would making an MTB movie in the remote Gobi where there's no medivac handy be pushing things too far? And for what reward? Or is that not part of her sport?   

[patches]

I am just going to try a throw a spanner in the works herel, just add a second side to the conversation (not my own personal opinion)....but if the riders don't like the conditions of rampage then they don't have to take part. Nobody is forcing them to do the contest. The conditions are set out before the contest . The people pushing the boundaries are the spectator, we want to see bigger and better otherwise we don't watch forcing the riders to take a greater risk.\

 

To some extent, yes... but I think of riders like Semenuk, Lacondeguy and the Claw.

They are sponsored by Red Bull. In fact this year there were 7 Red Bull sponsored riders.

 

I'd imagine if they wanted to keep in good standing with the brand that is perceived to be the ultimate energy drink sponsor, then they are probably required to enter. It may even be a contractual obligation.

[hayleyearth]

To some extent, yes... but I think of riders like Semenuk, Lacondeguy and the Claw.

They are sponsored by Red Bull. In fact this year there were 7 Red Bull sponsored riders.

 

I'd imagine if they wanted to keep in good standing with the brand that is perceived to be the ultimate energy drink sponsor, then they are probably required to enter. It may even be a contractual obligation.

 

AND I think 5 YT sponsored riders.....

 

I think it is a huge part of it. 

[Shebeen]

Cam Zink posted this link on his FB page. Very good read on this topic.

 

"Welcome to Rampage – the most hypocritical event in action sports."

 

http://www.theviewfromthecorner.com/2015/10/agents-for-change.html

only saw the highlight of Sorge's winning run, but his victory interview was pretty telling. Basically was happy to have won, but maybe even more stoked to be in one piece. Looking forward to not spending the entire winter on the couch trying to heal etc etc etc!

[Capricorn]

Redbull finally responds!

 

 

On Wednesday I received a call from a Red Bull Communications Representative. Red Bull didn't want to dispute any claims in the original article, but instead wanted to address a few big questions: What is Red Bull doing to support Paul? How will Rampage be different next year?

"We have a representative that's there with Paul in Utah as we speak, determining Paul's needs, trying to figure out what is his current prognoses, and how Red Bull can best support him on his road to recovery," Red Bull said. "That will continue to evolve in the coming days and weeks."

Due to company policy you'll never see a published list of exactly how they are helping Paul, but the company is helping to determine the best path forward given their extensive resources. Paul has the right to tell us exactly how they are helping in the future.

Since my conversation with Red Bull I've learned that there was an internal struggle to make it happen, but know that it is happening, and that's what matters.

They're Listening to the Riders

What about the event moving forward? For those worried, it doesn't sound as though they are even considering cancelling Rampage. Instead they are looking to improve things for the riders by allowing them the chance to speak up and be heard.

Red Bull informed me, "Just like we do every year, we're going to sit down with the riders - I think this year we'll do it in a more formal manner and bring those guys together - and then really hear what their ideas are, what their concerns are. We'll just have that dialog face to face, and then work on a plan over the course of the next 12 months and determine what we want to do prior to next year."

From the sounds of things, Red Bull will bring several riders to a central meeting location in the coming months to work on understanding perspectives and needs, evaluate what's actually possible, and try to turn Rampage into something that's more mutually beneficial for both parties.

"We're going to be taking more efforts, even more so than in past years," Red Bull said, "to definitely take in rider feedback and determine just what they want to do and what we want to do in terms of future events." They continued, "As in any case, there's that middle ground there. Okay, what's going to work best for everybody that balances all that out? People essentially will feel very comfortable moving forward."

So Red Bull is listening. That's awesome. Now it's up to the riders to state their needs and to hold Red Bull accountable, but also to understand the limits of hosting an event like that. It will take compromise, but there is a solution. I think we may all be a bit surprised at how the event morphs over the coming year, and I trust it will be for the better.

When I let a handful of riders know about the meeting plans, they all seemed a bit surprised and encouraged. Cam Zink let me know that one of his top priorities is to form a rider's union in the near future, and "Rampage will be the first thing to be addressed."

Miscommunication at Rampage

As you might imagine, it took a lot of restraint to not grill Red Bull with a list of heated questions and concerns I had prepared in advance of our phone call, but it was not the time. I did, however, take the opportunity to ask why the public was given the impression that Paul was okay, when we all now know that was far from the truth.

"For any event that we have, we have a crises communication plan that we look at, and there's a protocol whether it's for what do we do with the athlete, how do we support him," Red Bull said. The representative went on to list a number of ways Red Bull attempted to help immediately following the crash.

"And there's things that we have a protocol on in terms of live stream, on-site announcers, and how all that works. It definitely seems like somewhere in the process there was a breakdown in information, in terms of whatever information that was provided to the announcers, via our team or through hearsay, or friends, or whatever that was. I know that our team, at least the people that I've talked to, didn't tell the announcers to say that he was okay, and I know that's a huge point of contention," Red Bull continued.

The Red Bull representative went on to say that he also heard an announcement over the on site PA system saying Paul was okay not long after being transported to a nearby hospital by a medical evac helicopter.

"We certainly recognize that there was a mistake in that process. That was not at all trying to hide something under the rug in terms of the crowd, the riders, anything like that. I think it was a simple language miscommunication... We're going to have a regroup on that stuff this next week. It was obviously not at all any sort of intention to hide things in terms of Paul's condition."

The representative said Red Bull's protocol dictates that they are "only allowed to state facts." He also said, "We didn't have information really, until later that evening, when they were going to take him into surgery. Outside of that all we were able to provide is sort of a very generic and blank statement, talking about how Paul's been transported to the hospital for further evaluation. Nothing really more and nothing really less. But we're definitely aware that that was a problem, and something we're going to look at in terms of how we talk about our communication and work flow on site when a situation like that occurs."

I later spoke with Cam McCaul, a good friend of Paul who was announcing the event on the live web stream. Cam said he and commentator Pat Parnell were "handed a piece of paper with an update on Paul that said he had regained consciousness and something about his leg, but I knew he was never unconscious."

"It definitely didn't say anything like they spine boarded him because he can't feel his legs, and that's why they rushed him out on a helicopter... We just basically read off the paper, and we have no way of knowing if he is or isn't okay," Cam said.

While we may never know the reason why it was said or assumed that Paul was okay, Cam also indicated that he didn't believe there was malicious intent anywhere, or that a positive update was given to keep viewer numbers up. From all accounts we've heard, it does indeed sound like a case of miscommunication. It's easy to understand how quickly positive news about a downed rider can spread. We all hope for the best.

 

rest of the vitalsauce

[Headshot]

I also went back and watched the P Bas run. looked as if he was wearing some chest and spine protection. He was very unlucky I recon...