06/10/2026
Trying not to watch RedBull Rampage this year, so here's a picture of a cliff without anyone jumping off it, a goat and some flowers... Not because I don't love watching Rampage. Not because there's nothing good about it. I'll miss cheering on Tom Isted. I'll miss seeing how staggeringly fast and far the female athletes are pushing the sport. I'll miss newcomers like Finley Kirschenmann totally changing the game.
But last year 2 of my favourite riders suffered massively life changing injuries. 2 from 18 of the male roster. That's an 11% near death rate. It's pretty similar pretty often.
I know it's the biggest event out there for them and gets huge exposure. But there's no huge paycheck for most of the riders. Even if there was money galore, I think I'd still feel the same.
The Romans used to have favourite Gladiators. They were wealthy celebrities and, if they were good enough, had pretty long careers. I still kind of judge them for it.
Group B rally was AMAZING to watch, but it hurt too many people so it changed.
Take Rampage away and we'd find a way. Those same riders would still compete and produce their content, but hopefully more on their terms. Waiting for the wind to really drop. Taking a few extra days to let the dig crew really set things up. Not trying to slot in a double flip under the pressure of other high scores.
No one is forcing them to do it, but as long as Rampage is seen as the pinnacle of the discipline, the pressure to ride and perform there is the criteria by which their careers will be judged.
Good luck though Tom, and stay safe all.
