Semenuk’s 26er Trek Session: The bike that won Rampage
Semenuk nailing his lillypad double drop up at the top of the course. It was easily one of the boldest lines in the contest with some extreme exposure below. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
Brandon Semenuk claimed victory in the 11th edition of Red Bull Rampage on Friday, impressing the judges with his masterful run, which included a flat-spin 360, flat drop backflip, and backflip one-footed can can. That earned him a final score of 84.33, making one of only two riders to score in the 80s.
Joining Semenuk on the podium in Virgin, Utah, were Antoine Bizet and Carson Storch in second and third. All told, 21 of the world’s top riders participated in the premier freeride mountain biking competition.
With the victory, Semenuk joined Kyle Strait and Kurt Sorge as the only riders to win two Red Bull Rampage events in their careers. Semenuk’s winning run not only impressed the judges, but the fans watching at home as well, as he also took home the People’s Choice Award, which brought with it a Polaris RZR ATV vehicle.
Win No. 2 at Rampage for Semenuk was a long time coming. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
“Winning Red Bull Rampage is an amazing feeling. The event is the pinnacle of freeriding for us,” said Semenuk whose first Rampage win came in 2008.
The competition took place in a brand new venue set against the incredible backdrop of mountainous Southern Utah. This year’s competition went back to basics with an updated event format, providing the riders a clean slate to carve out their own personal lines down the mountain with the help of a 2-person build crew.
“I loved the new venue,” added Semenuk. “There were fewer riders with really big open space, which provided more room for people to get creative. The digging and the builders were on another level this year.”
Here’s a look at the 26″ Trek Session Semenuk rode to victory.
Two-time Red Bull Rampage champion, Brandon Semenuk and his 26″ Trek. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
An accurate description of Semenuk’s riding style. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
Semenuk’s full carbon 26″ Trek with SRAM drivetrain, Avid brakes, and RockShox suspension. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
Surprisingly, Semenuk does not run a chain guide on his SRAM XO 1×11 drivetrain. Front ring is a 36 tooth. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
Ride or die. That about sums it up at Rampage. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
Semenuk relies on Chromag Contact pedals to keep his feet on the pedals. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
Steering duties are handled by alloy Truvativ BlackBox Stevie Smith tribute bars that are 780mm wide with 30mm rise, 5 degrees up sweep, and 7 degrees of back sweep. Brakes are Avid Codes modulating 4 piston Code calipers. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
Semenuk is still holding out with 26″ hoops. For Rampage, he runs a full DH setup with a Maxxis Minion DHF 26×2.7″ with a DH casing up front, and a Maxxis Minion DHR2 2.4″ with a DoubleDown casing on the rear. Photo by Eddie Clark/EddieClarkMedia.com
For more on Red Bull Rampage, check out all of Mtbr’s event coverage.
The post Semenuk’s 26er Trek Session: The bike that won Rampage appeared first on Mountain Bike Review.