Rampage Finals 2003 Page 1
The long awaited blow by blow account
Page 2 here.
words and photos (unless noted) Cam McRae

Qualifying was so intense, burly and emotionally charged, that it seemed the finals were destined to be anticlimactic. It was also disappointing to think about the riders who I felt should have advanced that were stuck spectating.

Fortunately he finals canyon is much better for viewing and the terrain offers some great line opportunities. The best moves are also near the bottom where all the media and fans were concentrated and the smart riders saved their best moves for last.


These guys carried bikes for the athletes - the unsung heroes of the competition.

The climate had changed from last year as well. Riders were decidedly more nervous in 2002 and this year there was more bravado in the air – largely fueled by Cedric Gracia. In training he came very close to sticking the canyon transfer that both Lance Canfield and Robbie Bourdon failed to nail last year. Another difference is that less was being left to chance. Many riders were having a good look at their lines last year but not practicing them. Most competitors this year gave the majority of their lines a try. The absence of Tyler Klassen turned down the wattage some as well, and none of this year’s finalists eyed up either of his huge drops from ’02 (although Lance Canfield was planning to do the largest of the two before he was injured).

Before the start the odds makers seemed to be favouring Cedric Gracia, Steve Romanuik and Thomas Vanderham. Much of the field was new to the Utah dirt and it was tough to predict how they would deal with the pressure.

Greg Smith was first out of the gate, having captured the final qualifying position. His run started out fine but then he went down hard on a big, natural drop that both Lance Canfield and Shaums March rode last year. Score: 61.4

People were talking about Shandro’s line. With the help of Sterling Lorence, he had dug a skinny trail below judge’s ridge that lead to a massive drop. The first move was a decent sized drop onto this path and it left little time to regain composure before the finale. He ripped some bold, fast lines up top and then edged tentatively toward his first drop. He seemed to hit some soft stuff and then he sketched out. He picked up his bike, shook off the dirt and then schooled his last burly drop-in. The judges felt this was worth 67.0.

 Part one of Shandro's sketchy line.

Mike Kinrade was due. Having missed the finals last year he was itching to show the world that he belongs in the Rampage. Kinbad followed the south ridge riding some nice lines cleanly and then finished off by boosting a stylish 20 footer right across from the judges. Score: 73.6

Kyle Ritchie was riding tentatively in round one and he stuck his wheels hard into the soft earth and went over the bars dramatically. Score: 56.8

Glyn O’Brien rode fast and smooth, taking the north ridge first and then crossed over to the south side via the canyon gap. It was clean but lacked a signature. Score: 67.0

 Kyle Ritchie - AKA Hercules

Michal Marosi impressed the judges and spectators in qualifying and he didn’t disappoint in the finals. He no footed the big double (where Berrecloth pulled his Indian Air last year) but then cased the canyon gap. He was not deterred though and he came into the nasty transfer with good speed and lofted it. Like Bourdon last year, Marosi managed to get both wheels down but an uncooperative shrub yanked him down. Score: 77.6


Michal Marosi doing a little canyoning. Thanks to Adam Marsal for the photo.

Greg Minnaar in his Dungarees. He may be wearing something different next year now that he's sponsored by Honda.

Greg Minnaar rode fast in his jeans. He ripped across the ridgelines but put his foot down a couple of times up top. He aced the gaps without breaking a sweat and made it all look easy like A-Line. Score: 76.2

Richie Schley rode cleanly into Berrecloth’s double and then pulled a tentative one-hander. He then had a run-ending gear failure on the canyon gap. Score: DNF


Cedric Gracia, Richie Schley, Joe Schwartz, Thomas Vanderham and Greg Minnaar heading to the top of the course.

Joe Schwartz was another rider with something to prove. Last year he sat on the judging couch and he had stomped his second qualifying run. Unfortunately he was the second rider claimed by the Shaums/Lance drop and he suffered a shoulder injury that put him out of the competition. Score: DNF

Steve Romaniuk had built another kicker above a step-down and was riding well until that point. He launched it but then slammed really hard. Here was a rider who had qualified with broken ribs and a busted nose and he was still going balls out. His fall was so nasty that I thought he would be done for the competition but he brushed himself off and finished his run, scoring a 59.4.

Thomas Vanderham’s first run was fast but for him, relatively conservative. This was a prudent move for the rider who seems to use his head more than most of the others. The judges handed him 76.4.

 Steve Romaniuk. This didn't end well.
Everyone knew Cedric Gracia was revved. In the start gate he was doing his best to get the crowd in the mood as well and by the time he dropped in everyone was ready for a show. He started out by lofting a big styley hip and then, after ripping a nasty straight line pulled a no-hander over the canyon gap. He dropped down one more level until he was on the terrace above the canyon transfer he had dropped in practice. He approached it and then looped around, once again trying to get the crowd into it and fooling us into thinking he was opting for an easier line. It became clear that he was just trying to keep moving and get set up for the big move. Cedric dropped in fast and landed going faster still but heading straight for one of the infamous, harmless looking shrubs that had claimed so many riders. Cedric manualled over the plant like it wasn’t even there and coasted into the finish area. Like Tyler Klassen’s first run last year it seemed pretty clear that the competition was sewn up at that point. Cedric scored 88.8.

Cedric nails the Canyon transfer.
After Round 1
Rider Round 1
1. Cedric Gracia - France 88.8
2. Andrew Shandro, Canada 67
3. Glyn O'Brien, Northern Ireland 67
4. Michal Marosi, Czech Rep. 77.6
5. Steve Romaniuk Canada 59.4
6. Thomas Vanderham - Canada 76.4
7. Greg Minnaar, South Africa 76.2
8. Mike Kinrade, Canada 73.6
9. Greg Smith, USA 61.4
10. Kyle Ritchie, Canada 56.8
11. Richie Schley - Canada DNF
12. Joe Schwartz, Canada DNF

Click here for page 2 of this article