Photo: Robin O'Neill / Red Bull Content Pool
The Women Are IN at Red Bull Rampage
Red Bull Rampage has for years now been broadly regarded as the pinnacle event for freeride mountain bikers. However, until this year, the event has only featured male riders. That’s emblematic of an enormous gap in opportunity, exposure and pay equity within the bike industry, curtailing the careers of women at the sharp end of their sport.
The issue came to a head last fall, after a Rampage rider line-up was announced that once again that included no women. Public opinion became critical (the hashtag “#letthemride” began circulating widely) and many wondered if the event had stagnated on the wrong side of history. In response, Red Bull put out a statement saying it was “exploring with industry experts how we might develop a women’s category at Red Bull Rampage.”
Today, after months of silence, Red Bull has finally announced in a media release that Rampage “will return in 2024 with the introduction of a women’s competition and brand new two day competition.” And while more details about what this expanded event will look like are yet to come, the news has key players and fans celebrating.
“We f*cking did it. I can’t believe it,” posted Katie Holden on Instagram. Holden, a decorated athlete and founder of Red Bull Formation, a women’s freeride incubator event, has been the primary and tireless mouthpiece for the #letthemride movement. “I will write something more thoughtful when I can gather myself,” Holden continues in her caption. “I can’t tell you all how much this means to me.”
Katie Holden congratulates Casey Brown at Red Bull Formation in 2022.
Photo: Emily Tidwell / Red Bull Content Pool
Freerider and advocate Alex Showerman, who participated in Formation as a digger one year, joined Holden in expressing her excitement over the implications of the announcement:
“Red Bull Rampage is one of the only mountain bike events that transcends the sport and truly captures the imagination of non-riders. This is going to open the floodgates of not only progression for current riders, but inspiration for future generations. Expect this to have lasting ripple effects for many years to come, as there’s now no limit for how big women can dream in mountain biking.”
More on this historic announcement to come soon.
