ROBIN GOOMES WINS THE FIRST WOMEN’S RED BULL RAMPAGE

The bar has been raised for women's mountain biking

Virgin, Utah (October 10, 2024) – History was made on Thursday at Red Bull Rampage, the premier big-mountain freeride event, as seven of the world’s top women’s riders dropped into the Red Bull Rampage course in Virgin, Utah, for the first time and pushed the level of progression to new heights.

Casey Brown.

In the end, Robin Goomes from Rotorua, New Zealand came out on top with the biggest and baddest line of the day. The women’s  highlight show will air Sunday, October 27th on ESPN2 at 5pm ET/2pm PT. The men head to the start gate for their finals on Saturday, October 12th.

The women’s debut featured no shortage of mind-bending tricks and harrowing terrain. The coveted prize was ultimately claimed by Robin Goomes with 85 points, wowing the judges with two big backflips. The flips also earned her the Utah Sports Commission Best Trick Award. In addition to her tricks, Goomes stomped her 41-foot drop, and cleanly weaved down her top technical chute. Her line was a nod to the old school Red Bull Rampage runs, gnarly and technical, which she felt embodied the spirit of freeride.

Robin Goomes.

“It hasn’t yet sunk in,” Goomes says reflecting on the win. “It’s been such a process, so I’m trying to take it all in and enjoy it. I’m so stoked for my crew, they’ve gone so hard. If anything I’ve done it for them, the sport, and all the other riders.” Winning the Best Trick Award was a surprise bonus for the Kiwi, and she was equally excited that all her competitors put on a show.

Claiming 2nd place was Canadian Georgia Astle, who was originally an alternate, not expecting to compete this year. In September Astle got the call that she’d made the start list, and she rose to the occasion. The former racer rode with confidence, demonstrating her precision by stomping her 41-foot marquee drop, and flowing through one technical section after another. Her run earned her a score of 79 points.

Georgia Astle.

Rounding out the podium is the godmother of freeride, Casey Brown, with a score of 77.33. Brown was the first woman to complete a top-to-bottom run in practice, carrying that momentum in her final run. Her standout feature was the “Laundry Chute,” a highly exposed rock roll drop that Brown considered one of the gnarliest things she’s ever ridden. Brown also won the McGazza Spirit Award for her tenacity and contributions to the women’s freeride movement.

Chelsea Kimball.

Beyond the top three riders, plenty of moments wowed the crowd. Vaea Verbeeck won the brand new Samsung Galaxy Trailblazer Award for her progressive and inventive line. Argentina’s Cami Nogueria won the BFGoodrich Tires Toughness Award for attempting her burly 51-foot drop in practice. Despite not being able to compete in the finals, Nogueria remains determined to be back next year and make her mark at the event. Lastly, the DECKED Digger Award went to the team of New Zealander Vinny Armstrong.

Robin Goomes.

“I love my team, and everything they built was insane. [The run] looked aesthetically pleasing, they brought the vibes, I couldn’t have asked for a better crew,” Armstrong says. She was especially thrilled to share the experience with her brother, who was part of her dig team. “He would do anything for me,” she says.

Final Results:
Robin Goomes       NZL 85.00
Georgia Astle         CAN 79.00
Casey Brown          CAN 77.33
Vaea Verbeeck       CAN 72.66
Vero Sandler           NZL 71.00
Vinny Armstrong  NZL 65.00
Chelsea Kimball     USA 62.37

Red Bull Rampage is proudly supported by BF Goodrich Tires, Samsung Galaxy, GoPro, Can-Am, OANDA, RockShox, DECKED, Maverik and the Utah Sports Commission.

To stay up to date on the latest Red Bull Rampage information including venue and competition details, spectator info, news from the mountain, and results, follow @RedBullBike and visit the event website here.

You might also like
edit