Cameron Zink comes full circle with victory at Red Bull Rampage

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[Photocredit: (c)Christian Pondella/Red Bull Photofiles, Athlete: Cameron Zink]

With wild skies above him and 1,500 feet of vertical drop below, Cameron Zink persevered over the obstacles to become the 2010 Red Bull Rampage champion. Twenty-one of mountain biking’s best riders threw down all they had while battling wild weather, but when the skies cleared it was Zink who took home the trifecta – the contest win, Utah Sports Commission Best Trick Award and the Freeride Mountain Bike (FMB) World Tour season overall title.

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[Photocredit: (c)Ian Hylands/Red Bull Photofiles]

After a season of highs and lows with big contest wins and tough injuries, Zink went through another rollercoaster ride throughout the day. During his first run, Zink attempted a 360 off the Oakley Icon Sender custom feature, but took a hard hit that cracked his helmet and was unsure if he could do another run. Once the medics cleared him, he was energized to go again, only to be delayed a couple hours by gusty wind, rain and threatening clouds.

[Photocredit: (c)John Gibson/Red Bull Photofiles, Athlete: Alex Prochazka]

But as the sun came out, Zink dug deep and threw down a perfect run that included a flawless 360 off the intimidating Oakley Icon Sender that sent him nearly 40 feet below. That massive move, which also won him Best Trick honors, was the only thing that could top the UK’s Gee Atherton, who was seeking redemption after making the 2008 event finals and then suffering an injury in practice that prevented him from riding. Atherton’s racing background was a definite advantage that resulted in a fast, controlled line that wowed the judges, along with his huge transfer to wallride. Third place went to Darren “the Claw” Berrecloth who hands down had the most technical line from top to bottom.

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[Photocredit: (c)John Gibson/Red Bull Photofiles, Athlete: Graham Agassiz]

Over 2,000 fans hiked into the remote desert venue to witness a contest that showcased a mix of rugged, natural downhill terrain and manmade obstacles. A team of builders led by Paddy Kay spent a month digging, building and grooming the course that would become the riders’ playground. Course builder and former Red Bull Rampage competitor Josh Bender liked what he saw, “I was really excited on the utilization of all the features we built on the course – it was great to see the progression of the sport stepped up a couple levels.” With jaw dropping tricks like Greg Watt’s backflip stepdown and Atherton’s gap to wallride, the fans were given a show that could only be produced in unparalleled terrain of the Zion desert mountains.

[Photocredit: (c)Christian Pondella/Red Bull Photofiles, Athlete: Gee Atherton]

The finals on Sunday almost came to a halt after wild weather caused a couple hours delay. Saturday’s practice was also cut short after an intense windstorm that was described as no less than “the apocalypse.” The riders charged on however, heading up to the gate as soon as the last raindrop cleared and pushed through an intense second run.

Zink summarized the challenges faced by all, “It’s so hard to get into the mode. Your run has to be dialed from the top, you can’t just work your way into it and then be stylish towards the bottom. You have to pin it right from the top. I guess I picked up some contest skills and determination along the way because I did pretty well today!” Atherton agrees, “Second today at Rampage was nuts. It was fun, it was a crazy contest and I couldn’t have been second place to a better guy than Zink.”

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[Photocredit: (c)John Gibson/Red Bull Photofiles, Athlete: Kyle Strait]

After 18 stops on the FMB tour, Zink’s overall championship left him on cloud nine, “Being Rampage champion is a dream. It’s one of the first real mountain bike contests ever and if I were to tell anyone – this is what mountain biking is, this contest would be it. So to win this is the most amazing thing in the world. In all honesty I’d rather win Red Bull Rampage than any other event.”

[Photocredit: (c)Christian Pondella/Red Bull Photofiles]

Perhaps the day was best summarized by fourth-place finisher Andreu Lacondeguy of Spain, who is known around the world for his jaw-dropping tricks. When talking about what Zink did, he had one thing to say, “That was the wildest thing I’ve ever seen!”

[Photocredit: (c)Christian Pondella/Red Bull Photofiles, Athlete: Andreu Lacondeguy]

Red Bull Rampage 2010 Final Results:

1.Cameron Zink (USA) – 89.2
2.Gee Atherton (GBR) – 82.4
3.Darren Berrecloth (CAN) – 81.2
4.Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP) – 79.0
5.Geoff Gulevich (CAN) – 77.2
6.Thomas Vanderham (CAN) – 76.6
7.Robbie Bourdon (CAN) – 76.0
8.Kyle Strait (USA) – 75.6
9.Logan Binggeli (USA) – 74.8
10.Kurt Sorge (CAN) – 73.0
11.Alex Prochazka (CAN) – 72.2
12.Tyler McCaul (USA) – 71.8
13.Graham Agassiz (CAN) – 71.0
14.Cedric Gracia (FRA) – 70.4
15.Greg Watts (USA) – 65.6
16.Michal Marosi (CZE) – 64.2
17.Jamie Goldman (USA) – 63.8
18.Curtis Robinson (CAN) – 62.4

[Photocredit: (c)John Gibson/Red Bull Photofiles, Athlete: Thomas Vanderham]

Story: courtesy of Red Bull Photofiles
Pictures by John Gibson, Christian Pondella, Ian Hylands,courtesy of Red Bull Photofiles