VIRGIN, Utah (October 19, 2025) — Red Bull Rampage is the pinnacle of big-mountain freeride – a contest that tests creativity, control and courage on the most demanding terrain on Earth. The 2025 edition brought two days of world-class freeriding to the Utah desert, with athletes taking on the raw sandstone ridgelines and near-vertical chutes that define the event.
On Friday, October 17, the women’s competition saw New Zealand’s Robin Goomes claim a second successive victory at the second women’s edition of Red Bull Rampage, landing two Backflips and Suicide No-Handers on a incredibly exposed line that showcased progression and precision across Utah’s iconic cliffs.
Two days later, the men’s elite returned to Virgin to push freeride performance to its limits. First-time competitor Hayden Zablotny of Canada delivered a sensational second run after crashing during his first attempt, securing victory at the 2025 Red Bull Rampage and overcoming fierce competition from the world’s best big-mountain riders.
A Rookie’s Historic Victory
The 2025 Red Bull Rampage Men’s Competition showcased the next evolution of freeride mountain biking, as athletes carved bold, creative lines across one of Utah’s most iconic big-mountain venues. Often referred to as the Super Bowl of mountain biking, Red Bull Rampage is the world’s premier big-mountain freeride competition, first held in 2001 in Virgin, Utah, challenging the world’s best riders to build and ride their own lines down some of the planet’s most rugged desert terrain.
This year’s course returned to an area used in 2016, 2017 and 2021, and featured steep sandstone faces, exposed ridgelines and massive natural gaps – demanding absolute precision and power. Riders spent days sculpting their lines using only hand tools alongside two-person dig teams, shaping the mountain into a stage for world-class performance.
17 of the world’s best freeriders dropped-in for finals in this invite-only event where riders build and ride their own line, scored by judges on difficulty, execution, flow, amplitude, and tricks. But it was a Red Bull Rampage rookie who walked away with an historic victory. 22-year-old Canadian Hayden Zablotny crashed on a trick jump during his first run, but delivered a sensational second run to score 96.00 points from the judges and become the first rookie winner since record Red Bull Rampage champion Brandon Semenuk.
Starting his run with a unique and incredible technical double drop directly from the start platform, Zablotny landed two 360 Flatspins, a huge Flat Drop Backflip, Suicide No-Hander and a final Opposite 360 Flatspin during his winning run. “I was trying to stay as calm as possible and keep my nerves under control,” said Zablotny after his victory. “I just wanted to build something that would showcase my building and riding style – and something I’d be stoked on riding as well.”
Zablotny’s team also won the Digger Award for the line they sculpted out of the mountainside, while local favourite Jaxson Riddle won both the GoPro Moment and Best Trick Awards for a huge Backflip Heel Clicker.
A Veteran’s Long-Awaited Breakthrough
Finishing 1.65 points behind Zablotny on 94.35, Red Bull Rampage veteran Thomas Genon of Belgium scored his first-ever podium in his 12th appearance. After losing points for running off his line during run one, Genon rebounded by landing a 360 on exceptionally exposed first drop – one of the biggest tricks of the day – to start his second run and rode a fast, stylish line to score his first podium after three fifth place finishes in previous years.
“I realised that the first spin drop was going to be the point decider,” said Genon. “I had one more trick in mind and I didn’t pull the trigger because I didn’t want to throw it all away. It’s cliché, but I’ve been working at this for so long and started to think I probably wouldn’t get a podium. I advise everyone to keep pushing.”
Another Red Bull Rampage veteran, Canada’s Tom Van Steenbergen, completed the podium on 94.00 points, just 0.35 behind Genon. The two-time previous podium finisher also made the podium with his second run performance, which started with his signature Caveman Drop, where he dropped into his line with his bike in his hands, mounting it in mid-air.
“I knew in my first run the exact mistake I made and the adjustment that needed to happen,” said Van Steenbergen. “I was so relieved and I have a lot of bad history at this venue, so I’m beyond stoked to get a podium.”
The Ultimate Test of Skill and Courage
Each year at Red Bull Rampage, athletes are judged on difficulty, execution, flow, amplitude, and creativity, making it the ultimate test of skill, imagination, and courage on two wheels. Set against Utah’s iconic sandstone cliffs, it has become the benchmark for progression in mountain biking — a proving ground where innovation, artistry, and athleticism collide.
For a select few of the world’s best mountain bikers, Red Bull Rampage is the event that defines careers — the one every pro dreams of riding and every fan stops to watch. It’s the pinnacle of freeride mountain biking, where athletes descend near-vertical cliffs, perform world-first tricks, and craft their own lines through the most technical terrain on Earth.
Since its debut in 2001, Red Bull Rampage has shaped the evolution of mountain biking, driving the sport from remote desert cliffs to a global audience. The 2025 edition marked the 19th Red Bull Rampage since its inaugural event, reaffirming its place as the ultimate showcase of creativity, courage, and human potential — a competition that continues to inspire riders and redefine the boundaries of big-mountain freeride.
Both the men’s and women’s events were broadcast live on Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Bike YouTube channel, with the men’s event airing Sunday, October 19. The Men’s Red Bull Rampage 2025 replay is now available on Red Bull TV and the Red Bull Bike YouTube channel, alongside the Women’s Red Bull Rampage 2025 replay, featuring Robin Goomes and the world’s top female freeriders tackling Utah’s sandstone cliffs in spectacular style.
