Wade Simmons and Scott Hart on Judging Red Bull Rampage

Scott Hart
Having seen all of the previous events, what do you think of the new venue?
Hart: It's definitely an evolution, not to overuse the phrase. There are more lines, and now the guys have seen what Red Bull Rampage is all about, even the dirt jump guys, so they realize the possibilities. Their eyes are already looking for more stuff it seems, so a lot more lines were mined out of this venue than were ever mined out of the other venues in those four years. That was the main thing with this new terrain: everyone was down to do their own distinct line, not just one or two lines.

You competed at the first Red Bull Rampage; did you feel like you'd rather be in the saddle here instead of judging this?
Hart: Never (laughs). It's Red Bull Rampage, man. It's cool to watch, because it's pure to every form of cycling. "You get a bike, and the first thing you do as a little kid is build a jump - "What can I ride this thing off of?" And Red Bull Rampage is that same sentiment, only amplified. The best riders in the world on the best machinery, coming down the most pliable mountain. It all comes together; that's why this event is as unique as it is.

How much of the appeal of this event is getting the opportunity to build your own lines?
Hart: That's 100% percent of the motivation. These guys have ridden all kinds of bikes over the years, but they ride mountain bikes for a reason: they want to mob over whatever is in the way. They looked all over the world to find places that were comparable to this Southern Utah venue and they couldn't. I think the mystique of Red Bull Rampage is definitely going to live on after this year.

What was the best thing you saw in the Finals?
Hart: The 360s that were finally figured out. Everybody's first tries didn't work out, but second try they figured it out. That was pretty rad to see the guys riding well under pressure. You see the guys working out the nerves, so it's really cool to see them put together clean runs.

Wade Simmons
How would you compare the experience of riding Red Bull Rampage to judging it?
Simmons: It was a lot different. Judging is a hard job as well, but you definitely don't have the stress that the riders are going through. Especially when everybody is starting to send it, you can really feel the energy building, it's pretty sick.

What were you looking for?
Simmons: Definitely fluidity. Difficulty of line, and riding smooth without any dabs or crashes, of course. And then within that line, how much air - amplitude and style on the air.

What does Red Bull Rampage mean to you?
Simmons: It's just the ultimate mountain bike playground. You look around here and the terrain is so conducive to riding. You really couldn't do it anywhere else; there are no trees, very few rocks - it really allows you to push your own barriers, the envelope of what you can do. You see these guys crashing on huge 360s, but they get up. The dirt is so good. It's the perfect venue for an event like this.

I hope it keeps coming back, because it would bring a lot of excitement into mountain biking. The downhillers are loving it, the dirt jumpers... every type of rider loves it. It's the kind of event everyone can compete in and no one really has an advantage.