Red Bull Rampage 2023 line-up and venue announced – Semenuk is out but Gee Atherton is in

Red Bull has announced this year's Rampage venue and packed athlete list ahead of next month's event which will take place on the 13th of October 2023. Eighteen riders will be competing in the 17th edition of the iconic freeride event which stands as the pinnacle and most prestigious of freeride mountain biking competitions.

Red Bull Rampage is unlike any other freeride competition, riders and their crew have four days to build a line complete with huge jumps and drops, followed by another four days for riders to practice their tricks before the big day. The Utah desert terrain has huge exposure and pushes dig crews and riders to the very limit.

This year's pilgrimage returns to the same legendary zone that was used last year and has been the stage for some of Rampage's most iconic moments in the past. The same venue was used between 2008 and 2013 and saw Kelly McGarry’s legendary backflip over the 72-foot road gap in 2013 and Cam Zink’s huge 360 off the Oakley Icon Sender in 2010.

Only invited riders can compete and this year's roster is stacked with the world's best freeriders as well as some wild cards who could shake things up.

The top five riders from the 2022 competition were automatically pre-qualified for this year’s event, while the other 13 wildcards and five alternates were selected by a committee of former Rampage competitors, pro athletes, judges, and industry experts.

• Pre-Qualified Athletes: 
• Szymon Godziek (POL) 
• Reed Boggs (USA) 
• Thomas Genon (BEL) 
• Carson Storch (USA)

• Wildcard Invites: 
• Adolf Silva (SPA)
• Alex Volokhov (CAN)
• Bienvenido Aguado Alba (SPA)
• Brendan Fairclough (GBR)
• Cam Zink (USA)
• Clemens Kaudela (AUT)
• DJ Brandt (USA)
• Emil Johansson (SWE)
• Jaxson Riddle (USA)
• Kurt Sorge (CAN)
• Kyle Strait (USA)
• Talus Turk (USA) 
• Tom Van Steenbergen (USA)
• Gee Atherton (UK)

Many will be disappointed to see the absence of former four-time champion Brandon Semenuk. The Canadian landed a third place last year, however, he is unable to attend as it conflicts with the last round of the ARA (American Rally Association) National Championship, a series which he is currently leading.

In Semenuk's place will be none other than Gee Atherton. Gee has a long history Rampage history, competing in 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, and 2012. He has had mixed results, landing a 2nd place in 2004 and 2010 although his all-or-nothing approach has also resulted in three incomplete runs. It's been over 10 years since he last competed and he will be returning to the same venue that saw him stomp a previously unlanded quarter pipe transfer back in 2010. Will he hit the legendary drop to quarter again? We can only hope so.

Another rider absent from the list is last year's winner Brett Rheeder. Rheeder announced he would be stepping away from competition after securing his second Rampage win.

Last year's runner-up Szymon Godziek will be hungry for his first Rampage win and is undoubtedly one of the favorites. He will face some stiff competition from the likes of Reed Boggs, Thomas Genon, and Carson Storch. 2023 Crankworx Triple Crown of Slopestyle winner Emil Johansson will be one to watch with his smooth style and massive bag of tricks, as will  Jaxson Riddle who made his mark during his first Ramage with his motocross-influenced moves.

There are some legends of the sport lining up too, most notably 2010 winner Cam Zink and Rampage legend Kyle Strait who was unable to start last year's event due to a massive crash during practice last year.

“Red Bull Rampage is the ultimate test of your skill on a mountain bike,” said 2022 Rampage runner-up Szymon Godziek. “I’m excited to return to Utah for my seventh Rampage invitation, reconnect with the top riders in the freeride scene, and put together a run that showcases my style and technique.”

ESPN+ returns to exclusively stream the event in the U.S., and the competition will be available live on Red Bull TV in all other countries. Following the live show, the complete event will be available on-demand on both ESPN+ and Red Bull TV. On October 22nd, viewers can also tune in to a 90-minute highlight on ESPN. 

To stay up to date on the latest Red Bull Rampage information, including venue details, ESPN+ and Red Bull TV tune-in times, and spectator info, follow @RedBullBike and visit the Red Bull Rampage website.