Another year of nail-biting, corner-of-the-eye watching. Asking myself, “Should I stop watching this?” And as a platform, “Should we stop publicising this show?” I think the whole community found it traumatic to watch. Yes, the build-up as riders and their dig crews carve their unique lines and the successful runs is awe-inspiring — but what’s the psychological toll on riders, especially young riders? This year felt even more like a motorway pile-up than previous ones.

And that was even before the two devastating crashes — Adolf Silva and Emil Johansson — that stunned the MTB world into the most uncomfortable and prolonged silence. The stakes get higher and higher — it’s starting to feel borderline Hunger Games territory.

What’s changed most over time is Rampage itself. It’s evolved from raw, technical descents with high exposure — the kind of gnar that defined freeride — into a course shaped by sandbags, sculpted kickers and big man-made drops. The scale is huge, and so are the tricks. The push to combine freeride creativity with Slopestyle amplitude and technical trick progression is now where the rubber really hits the dirt. That individuality and imagination remain immense, but the pressure to go bigger, with ever-higher consequences, seems to be what drives the points.

My heartfelt wishes go out to Adolf Silva and his family. Adolf sustained a life-changing spinal injury and currently has no sensation from the chest down.

One day, on its current trajectory, we may watch someone die in front of our eyes. I always thought that was a risk with extreme action sports like this, not an inevitability. More and more, it feels like the latter — a question of when, not if. That can’t be right.

The questions we as a community need to ask are:
a) Has it gone too far?
b) Is it now time to dial it back, or call it a day?

For me, it’s over in its current form.

The organisers now have some deep thinking to do. These events shape how the world sees freeride, and this year’s crashes can’t just be met with silence. We expect to hear a clear statement from Red Bull on what this means for the future of Rampage — for the riders, the sport, and the next generation watching.

Adolf Silva – The Fight for the Road Ahead

Adolf Silva has always been the definition of fearless. From the dirt jumps outside Barcelona to the world’s biggest freeride stages, his riding has inspired millions — not just for the tricks, but for his heart.

In October 2025, during Red Bull Rampage, Adolf suffered a life-changing crash while doing what he loves most: pushing limits and chasing progression. The impact left him with a serious spinal injury. Right now, Adolf has no sensation from the chest down. It’s too early to know what the future holds; only time, healing, and his body’s own signals will tell. What hasn’t changed is his spirit.

This is the same rider who came back from a coma and a broken femur to land world-firsts and lift the next generation. The challenge is bigger now — but so is our community.

To support Adolf, a financial assistance campaign has been launched through the Road 2 Recovery Foundation — a nonprofit organisation with decades of experience helping injured professional athletes through catastrophic injuries and the long path to recovery.

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 specialised mobility equipment essential for his long-term independence and quality of life.

Those who know Adolf know his smile, his energy, and his kindness off the bike. Every donation, big or small, fuels his therapy, recovery, and rehabilitation. 

👉 Donate to Adolf Silva’s Road 2 Recovery Fundraiser

Read: 96 times Published: 25/10/2025