MUNICH, Germany (12 October 2021) — After a long season that saw him ride two Crankworx events, Red Bull Roof Ride, Red Bull Hard Line and Loosefest Malmedy, Thomas Genon is about to ride Red Bull Rampage as the conclusion to his year. He talks about his thoughts and objectives ahead of his 8th consecutive participation in the biggest freeride MTB event in the world. Watch it live on Red Bull TV on Friday: https://www.redbull.com/int-en/events/rampage.
How do you feel for your return to Red Bull Rampage after the cancellation of the event in 2020?
I’m really glad to have the opportunity to come back and show what I can do. The last time I rode, in 2019, I crashed and didn’t manage to do what I set out to achieve. It was frustrating not to be able to wipe that memory the following year; it’s so much better when Rampage goes ahead! Now we’re back to a site we’ve already used, the last time in 2017, we will be able to reuse some of the old lines but the line crossings will also make it difficult to be very creative.
It’s already your 8th Rampage in a row, with only a few riders having more consecutive entries that you do. Is it special for you?
I think Rampage is one of those events where the first thing you need is experience. The more you have, the better you ride! I learn a little bit more every year.
You’ve mixed up slopestyle, downhill and freeride a lot this season, with your first Red Bull Hardline participation and big freeride sessions in Belgium. How was it?
It’s been one of the best summers of my life on the bike! It was amazing to have so many new goals. I had loads of fun and made a lot of progress on my downhill bike.
What’s your objective for Rampage?
The most important thing for me is to create a line that will put together all my skills in an optimal way. It’s always tough to find the balance, even more so when it all depends on what you will find on site. I have to American builders to help me, Dylan and Scotty. Dylan is a Utah local so that’s great. My main goal will be to create a line I will be happy with and ride as well as possible.
Is it the highlight of your season?
Every year Rampage becomes a little bit more important to me. I have the feeling that I truly can express myself here. I love to be able to combine freeride and slopestyle. Showing what I can do at the highest level of both disciplines at the same time makes me very happy.
You received a last-minute invite for this year’s edition, how did it affect your preparation?
The invite came in when I already was in Canada for Crankworx which I had been focusing on for a while already. Of course, I would have loved to ride a bit more in Utah before Rampage but I’ve done so much on the downhill bike this summer that I feel ready!
Event Info:
Red Bull Rampage will be live on Red Bull TV on Friday 15 October at 8pm CET: https://www.redbull.com/int-en/events/rampage.
October 15 — Red Bull Rampage, Virgin, UT, Downhill, slopestyle and freeride MTB athletes will converge on the demanding terrain of Virgin, Utah to compete for glory in one of the biggest tests of skill and guts in the world., redbull.com/us/en/bike/events
Follow Thomas on social media:
Thomas Genon
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThomasGenonMTB
Instagram: www.instagram.com/thomasgenon
