Brandon Semenuk Clinches Victory at 11th Red Bull Rampage
Joins an Elite Group of Riders to Win Two Red Bull Rampages
In a display of technical brilliance and nerve, Brandon Semenuk etched his name deeper into mountain biking history by taking the top spot at the 11th edition of Red Bull Rampage. This wasn’t just another victory—it marked his second career Rampage win, joining freeride legends Kyle Strait and Kurt Sorge as the only riders to ever secure the coveted title twice.
Semenuk’s run was nothing short of jaw-dropping, filled with highly technical tricks executed with pinpoint precision. A flat-spin 360, a flat-drop backflip, and a one-footed backflip can-can brought both the judges and global fans to their feet, earning him an overall score of 84.33. And as if his dominance wasn’t clear enough, he also walked away with the People’s Choice Award, presented by Polaris RZR, for the third consecutive year. Antoine Bizet came in a close second, while Carson Storch rounded off the podium, landing his first-ever Rampage top-three finish.
The Pinnacle of Freeriding
“Winning Red Bull Rampage is an amazing feeling. The event is the pinnacle of freeriding for us,” said Semenuk, who last tasted victory here in 2008. His words echo what everyone in the mountain biking world already knows—this isn’t just a competition, it’s the competition.
This year’s edition took place on a brand new venue in the rugged, jaw-dropping landscape of Southern Utah, where the riders were tasked with carving out their own personal lines from the mountaintop down to the finish. Fewer riders and wide-open spaces gave athletes more room to push the limits of what’s possible on two wheels, and the results were nothing short of spectacular.
Semenuk himself praised the revamped format: “I loved the new venue. There were fewer riders with really big open spaces, which provided more room for creativity. The digging and the builders were on another level this year.”
An Event to Remember
As always, Red Bull Rampage 2016 brought together a who’s who of the freeride world, with 21 of the best riders from around the globe competing. Semenuk’s win was built on both style and substance, showcasing a combination of speed, control, and seemingly gravity-defying tricks. But he wasn’t the only rider to leave a lasting impression. Carson Storch took home the Best Trick Award, presented by the Utah Sports Commission, with a jaw-dropping 30-foot step-down 360 that had the crowd in awe.
Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Conor MacFarlane received the Kelly McGarry Spirit Award, as voted on by his fellow athletes, in honor of his embodiment of the legendary McGarry’s passion and commitment to the sport.
Final Standings – Red Bull Rampage 2016
- Brandon Semenuk (Canada, Trek) – 84.33
- Antoine Bizet (France, Kona) – 81.00
- Carson Storch (USA, Rocky Mountain) – 79.00
- Kurt Sorge (Canada, Polygon) – 78.66
- Kyle Strait (USA, Commencal) – 78.33
As the dust settled on another legendary Rampage event, it’s clear that Red Bull Rampage remains the most demanding and revered title in the freeride mountain biking world. From the unforgiving terrain of Southern Utah to the heart-stopping tricks that defy physics, this competition continues to test the limits of what can be done on a mountain bike, and Brandon Semenuk once again reigns supreme.