Something changed last week.
Emil Johansson was a hair away from disaster. And then Adolf Silva went for it…
In case the above embed code from Adolf Silva and Road2Recovery’s Instagram post doesn’t work, the post contains some not hugely surprising news; Silva has no sensation from the chest down.
In the past I have not been one of the hand-wringers as regards Red Bull Rampage. My arguments were kind of along the lines that these riders would be doing daft, dangerous stuff even without Rampage.
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But during the men’s event last weekend something changed. I think, like a lot of televised infamy, it was partly due to the instantly-iconic actual camera angle/footage of the horror crash and the instant, total silence that descended on the desert.
And let’s not forget the whole sketchy, panicky, desperation of Silva’s run immediately before the crash. He’d clearly already made up his mind to attempt the double backflip before he set-off from the start platform. This was Rampage; you gotta do something ‘special’ to claim the top spot.
And then, here’s the thing that did it for me, the announcers finally piped up with some hushed words, the event was put ‘on hold’ and they threw to some commercials. Commercials for Red Bull events, shows and stunts. All of which shared the common promotional vibe of risk and/or likelihood of something going wrong.
This doesn’t feel the same as Evel Knievel. The Knievel was the principal risk-taker. He was also the principal benefactor. Rampage didn’t feel like that this year. This year felt like Ancient Rome and the Colosseum. With Emperor Taurine sat on high calling for the next competitor to head into the gladiatorial pit.
Let’s be honest, it doesn’t even feel like Rampage and it hasn’t for a number of years now. As soon as the sandbags arrived, it was no longer true to the spirit of Rampage. It became an event that wasn’t even primarily aimed at mountain bikers anymore. It was now just another viral clip that can also be built into a sizzle reel for Red Bull.
It’s over for me with Red Bull Rampage. I certainly haven’t felt like running the usual post-event result stories and highlight vids on singletrackworld.com this week.
Surely, it’s now over for Rampage. Certainly in its current twisted form at least.
All of us here at Singletrack Magazine hope Adolf Silva’s condition improves. Good luck Adolf.
Road2Recovery Adolf Silva Fundraiser
“Adolf faces an intense and expensive road: daily therapy, adaptive equipment, home adjustments, and ongoing medical support. All funds raised will go toward Adolf’s ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and transport to Barcelona, as well as adaptive home and vehicle modifications and specialized mobility equipment essential for his long-term independence and quality of life. Your help makes a direct difference in his recovery and stability — giving him every chance to rebuild his life.“
Horrible news.Â
It’s sad that the fundraising has already started to cover his medical and repatriation costs. presumably the event organisers, sponsors, his personal sponsors and anyone else who makes money from the event are stepping up as they should. Disgraceful of them if they don’t
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I hope all the websites that promote and cover the event at least donate the advertising and click revenue they earn from those articles
If they are commercial entities that are ‘for profit’, then I strongly suspect that their lawyers will have ensured that is not the case.
Sadly I totally agree with that sentiment. Best wishes to Adolf Silva, here’s hoping Red Bull step up to support him, but not holding my breath
I completely echo these words. It’s everything I’ve been saying since the event.
Things need to change
I’m confused about that fundraising link… Is it a joke?
Surely Red Bull coughs for all the medical etc….
Surely that’s not even up for debate.?
Good article. Totally agree, I personally could never watch it after Paul Bas got paralysed. It just seemed too risky.
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They step up with thoughts and prayers.
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Only if they’re a Red Bull sponsored athlete…..
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Sad news indeed.
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The problem with Rampage is that it’s become a slope style contest. It’s no longer about the gnarliest line top to bottom (see several ‘Brendog was robbed’ threads from the last few years) it’s who can throw the sickest tricks.
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Double post weirdness….
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I thought the least Redbull could do is cover the medical bills.
Almost all the runs I was waiting for never materialised mainly due to 1st run crashes
Which were the most experienced people
Yeti has had some pretty good exposure from all the footage. Presumably they will be involved too.
they threw in $10k apparentlyÂ
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Whether it’s tricks or gnarliness, there are always going to be potentially horrific consequences to riding in that environment. My wife was watching and openly wondered how such an event is allowed to happen, given the unmanageable risks involved. Here’s hoping for the best possible outcome for everyone who ended up in hospital through practice to finals.
I’m not sure it counts as “good" exposure…
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But clearly aren’t if the fundraising has already started.Â
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Only last week? It’s an event concept that has always made me deeply uncomfortable.Â
The risk/reward ratio divvied up between big business and young athlete just seemed massively stacked on the side of the corporate machine(s).
Personally, I was quite surprised when STW increased their coverage of it with the visit, the online updates and big section of the mag focused on it last year. The moral compass should have suggested you looked elsewhere for newsworthy material.
This. Is anyone genuinely surprised at the outcome?
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I’m sure STW will be digging deep into their coffers to support the injured participants.
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Commercial coercive control. I don’t watch it and am unsurprised by this recent outcome. I’d expect Red Bull to provide indemnity.
When Lewis Buchanan nearly met his maker dropping the cliff up the Golfie, my 13 year old said, if you lot didn’t watch this stuff, he wouldn’t do it…
I’m not sure that’s quite true but he has a point.
I’ve just been reading the comments on Pinkbike and lots of them are about insurance. Surely this kind of thing is uninsurable?
I’m in the Red Bull should pay camp, poor fella.