Rampage Day 2 Video
Rain Delay - but it's game on today
Words by Cam McRae. Photos by David Ferguson - unless noted.
Qualifiers for the Red Bull Rampage were scheduled to go off yesterday but it rained all day so things were moved back to today - Sunday. I just had a report from the event site and conditions are said to be all time.
Locals say it hadn't rained in 100 days. In fact they said it's been 100 degrees Fahrenheit for as long as well. Big Red Ted, who championed the course building, could have used all that water a couple of weeks ago when he and his crew were forced to truck in gallons of moisture in order to mold and shape the dusty Utah soil. 
This was what the parking lot of our hotel looked like yesterday. Most of the riders are staying here as well and they were a little like caged gorillas - looking for something to do in their sad enclosure. The pavement has dried out this morning and the sun is out.
It was cold and cloudy again this morning but not raining - and the sun is now out and warming the soil. The organizers are shooting for an afternoon qualifier of just one run to go off at 1:00 - which could be very exciting. The finals should go off on Monday on the other side of the course - that's right - the area with the 59 foot gapper. Hopefully the organizers will reconsider and we'll see all 28 riders take two runs.
For now though we've got more to say about qualifying and some photos to share. Here's more of the flavour of Rampage with sun. We'll be back with news of the day as soon as we have things sorted this evening. Stoked!
Rachel Atherton was helping her bros dig lines but she did not saddle up in practice. Hopefully we'll see her ride though. 
Kathy Pruitt - Cam McCaul's honey - was getting busy with the handtools as well - helping her man and Cam Zinc. 
Rampage Virgins. Kiwi Kelly McGarry watches last minute addition Logan Binggeli drop in. Logan is from St. George - just up the highway from the event site.
Cam Zinc dropping in to a gnarly double drop line. It reminds me of Air Jordan above the Peak Chair in Whistler. You need to hit the first landing well so you can launch the second one (below the frame) and transfer over. This will be a hgh scoring line if ridden well.
It stays hairy after that and Zinc came undone toward the bottom. We only saw Kyle Strait ride the line clean and fast. A persistent rumour suggests that Kyle will not be riding Specialized this year - although he's on a Demo 8 for this event. 
This line started off well for Cam McCaul - the one he and Zinc and Kathy were digging in the photo above. 
But then things went awry.
The qualifying side of the Rampage site consists of these two ridges and one to the east (to the left out of this shot). There are two starting gates which determine whether you'll be running the east or west ridge. Directing north of the event site - and straight ahead looking at this photo - you'll find the Gooseberry Mesa riding area.
Chris Van Dine is another rider who looks very good. He's got that winning combination of racer style and skill and a big bag of tricks. He was trying a very large off-axis flip here - a move he was the first to do on a 26" wheeled bike. When he does it i's called the 'Diner Roll'. He ejected shortly after this but he wasn't far from coming down wheels first. He also attempted a three on one of the Red Bull ramps.
Cory Leclerc couldn't resists taking a shot of this guy's predicament. I'll try and get his photo to post when I have a chance. 
The Claw's bike sports a cocktail of parts from Fox Racing Shox, Shimano, Race Face and wheels from Mavic. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Fergs continues to be a babe magnet. The Red Bull girls were impressed by the length and girth of his lens. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Mike Hopkins and his Scott Gambler. Mike lives in the Kootenays in B.C. and he's a pro freeskier in the winter. That influence was clear in his line choice on Friday. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Kenny Smith - who lives in Whistler - is stoked to be part of the big show. Kenny is part of the Boxxer development program so he's been on the new fork for months now. Photo ~ Cam McRae
BENDER! I have never been to this part of the world without seeing the bent one. The master of this zone was swinging tools for Chris Van Dine - and spreading good cheer. Bender had some big news as well... Photo ~ Cam McRae
Introducing Mrs. Bender. Lauren - who is a Canadian from Ottawa - met His Bentness in November on a trail in Moab. Rumours they met on Lavalife are unfounded. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Bender!
Geoff Gulevich'signature Mountain Flatline - decked out in Saint with Marzocchi 888s up front.
LOOK! Isn't that Trond Hansen? Photo ~ Cam McRae
Many are saying this is Gee Atherton's event to lose. He looks smooth, fast and comfortable. Photo ~ Cam McRae
Kelly McGarry sends it as the sun sets on Practice on Friday.
We're off to the event site now to see if anything will get rolling today. Keep your fingers crossed for some mind blowing riding action.
