‘The Price is Right’ is what the professional freeriders call a 95 feet high drop, “Big F*ing Canyon Gap” is their affectionate name for a 79 feet jump over a 72 feet wide canyon. Both are absolutely terrifying, nothing a normal mountain biker would even dream of tackling. Just watching them makes your stomach drop. The cliffs and canyons in the Utah desert are the arena of the Red Bull Rampage, the toughest and most dangerous freeride event in the world. Similar to gladiators in ancient Rome, the riders not only fight for victory and the favor of the public, they also risk their lives. Their strategy for coming to terms with fear consists of hard training, plenty of experience and a dash of dark humor. They call a life-threatening line ‘King Kong’, a trick jump without hands on the handlebars ‘Suicide No-Hander’ and slippery trails, with deep chasms just a few centimeters from the tires, are laconically referred to as exposure. Adrenalin is their fuel. But alongside the high a successful run brings, there is also the very real fear that a single mistake is tantamount to a potentially life-threatening crash. And there are many examples in Rampage’s past clearly showing the riders what they are in for.

ERGON Factory Rider Bienvenido Aguado Alba, also known as Bienve, is well acquainted with danger. His whole sporting career already prepared him for his current profession. He was already competing as a gymnast at the age of five, followed by capoeira and taekwondo, then parkour and breakdancing. He bought his first bike in 2008. After four months he was doing his first backflips, and after a year his first frontflip. It wasn't until 2018, very late in his career, that Bienve started riding big bikes. He is now one of the best freeriders in the world.

At Rampage 2023, he scooped three prizes with the Kelly McGarry Spirit Award, the Best Trick Award and the People's Choice Award. So, meeting him at Rampage 24 is no big surprise. But how does he prepare for such an extreme and dangerous event?  

Routine training for an extreme challenge

Control is key

Under pressure – harder, faster wider?

Rampage 24 – It’s about getting up

At Rampage 24, Bienve faces all the fears and dangers the event entails – and he gets hit hard. A severe crash after landing a big drop during practice runs robs him of valuable training time and puts a strain on him both physically and mentally. On the day itself, there are strong winds throughout the day and the surface is exceptionally loose. Bienve crashes again on his first run. He opts out his second run for safety reasons, thus walking away with no points. This year’s Rampage really was not too kind to him. How does one cope with such a hard blow after that much blood, sweat and tears?

“I am at peace. We did everything we could and more. We put in so much work. After the crash in practice, we had to work with that – at the end it was just not enough. We didn’t have enough training for sure, but we’ve been fighting all the way.

I'm not sad. It is what it is, and I take it as a man.

This is extreme sports and it’s part of the game.

Next time will be different.”

His resilience, his iron will to stand up again and again hasn’t gone unnoticed. He wins the Rampage Toughness Award – well deserved. What else is he taking home from Utah?

“I have learned so much, I am so proud of my team and myself. I hope next year it's the same venue and I get my invite to finish the job.”

So, it’s not all about winning.

It’s about the ride.

About the experience.

And when you fall, it’s about going beyond your fear and getting back up again.