Race details | |
---|---|
Date | Various dates from May–November |
Region | Varying locations: USA, Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Latvia, Israel and Poland |
Local name(s) | Red Bull Road Rage |
Nickname(s) | Road Rage |
Discipline | Road |
Competition | Open to amateurs and professionals |
Type | Extreme downhill road racing |
Organiser | Red Bull |
History | |
First edition | 2005 |
Editions | 10 |
First winner | Miles Rockwell (USA) |
Most wins | Miles Rockwell (USA), Guillaume Gualandi (FRA), Mauro Bettin (ITA), Frédéric Moncassin (FRA), Thomas Schäfer (GER), Birgit Braumann (AUT), Sebastian Körber (GER), Janos Köhler (IRL), Jānis Bulēvičs (LAT), Ivita Krūmiņa (LAT), Ohad Ben Hamo (ISR), Peter Szafraniec (POL) (1 each) |
Most recent | Peter Szafraniec (POL) |
The Red Bull Road Rage is an extreme downhill on-road bike competition. The competition was first held in 2005 as a pro-invite only event, but since 2008 Red Bull has opened it up to amateur and professional racers alike. Red Bull Road Rage has seen editions held once in each the USA, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Latvia, Israel and Poland and twice in Switzerland.
The event is similar to Four-cross mountain biking. An initial individual time trial ITT qualifying and seeding run[n 1] is held, followed by the top 32[n 2] competitors racing four at a time in knock-out heats, with the two fastest progressing to the next round.
Contents |
The roots of Red Bull Road Rage can be traced back to Jon Mesko of Giant Bicycles, who came up with the idea in 2001. He eventually contacted the then Red Bull (North America) Communications Manager, Paul Melina, in 2004 to pitch the idea and in January 2005, Red Bull gave the green light to commence organising the event.[1]
The original Red Bull Road Rage was held down Tuna Canyon, Malibu in California, USA on 5 and 6 November 2005. The event was held on a 4 km course and included 49 bends with 390m elevation drop, giving an average gradient of 9.75% with a maximum of 18%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Myles Rockwell | USA | 4:24.7 | 54.707 |
2. | David McCook | USA | 4:25.9 | 54.460 |
3. | Brian Lopes | USA | 4:28.6 | 53.913 |
4. | John Wike | USA | 4:33.1 | 53.025 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Myles Rockwell | USA | 4:24.68 | 54.711 |
2. | Eric Carter | USA | * | ** |
3. | John Wike | USA | * | ** |
4. | Todd Tanner | USA | * | ** |
*Run only timed for first rider across the line. **No average speed can be calculated for these riders due to run only being timed for first placed rider.
In 2006 the event was set to return to Tuna Canyon, Malibu, California, scheduled for 11 November. 25 of the world’s top professional racers from road and mountain biking were on the official start list.[2] On 31 October following evaluation of the then fire danger conditions, the decision was made to cancel the event due to fire safety concerns from the Malibu City fire chief.[3]
No Red Bull Road Rage was held in 2007.
In 2008 Red Bull Road Rage was held again, this time for the first time in Europe. It was also the first time the event was opened up to amateur and professional riders alike. The event was held on a 3.8 km course with 340m elevation drop, descending the Gurnigelpass in Switzerland. Average gradient was 8.95% with a maximum of 18%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Johannes Fischbach | Germany | ||
2. | Guillaume Gualandi | France | ||
3. | Stefan Hofmeier | Switzerland | ||
4. | Fabian Christen | Switzerland |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Guillaume Gualandi | France | * | ** |
2. | Johannes Fischbach | Germany | * | ** |
3. | Stefan Hofmeier | Switzerland | * | ** |
4. | Fabian Christen | Switzerland | * | ** |
*Run not timed. **No average speed can be calculated due to run not being timed.
For the first time, 2009 saw multiple events held across Europe, with a total of four races. Three new venues were added including Italy, France and Germany and the season finale saw a return to racing in Switzerland.
The 2009 Red Bull Road Rage season opener was held for the first time in Italy, on 21 and 22 June 2009. The event was held on a 5 km course with 360m elevation drop, descending into Cortina d’Ampezzo in the Dolomites. Average gradient was 7.4% with a maximum of 12%.[4]
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Guillaume Gualandi | France | 4:51.02 | 61.851 |
2. | Fred Mazières | France | 4:51.08 | 61.839 |
3. | Mauro Bettin | Italy | 4:51.09 | 61.837 |
4. | Nitai Da Sacco | Italy | 4:56.20 | 60.770 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Mauro Bettin | Italy | * | ** |
2. | Fred Mazières | France | * | ** |
3. | Luca Pais Marden | Italy | * | ** |
4. | Guillaume Gualandi | France | * | ** |
*Run not timed. **No average speed can be calculated due to run not being timed.
The second Red Bull Road Rage of the season was held for the first time in France, on 13 September 2009. The event was held on a 4.6 km course with 350m elevation drop, descending from Saint-Lary-Soulan in the Pyrenees. Average gradient was 7.6% with a maximum of 12%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Frédéric Moncassin | France | 4:13.271 | 65.385 |
2. | Guillaume Gualandi | France | 4:16.717 | 64.507 |
3. | Fred Mazières | France | 4:18.035 | 64.177 |
4. | Janos Köhler | Ireland | 4:19.171 | 63.896 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Frédéric Moncassin | France | 4:25.210 | 62.441 |
2. | Guillaume Gualandi | France | 4:25.441 | 62.387 |
3. | David Lacoste | France | 4:25.551 | 62.361 |
4. | Fred Mazières | France | 4:28.055 | 61.778 |
5. | Cédric Gracia | France | 4:40.683 | 58.999 |
The third Red Bull Road Rage of the season was held for the first time in Germany, on 10 October 2009. The event was held on a 2.1 km course with 188m elevation drop, descending the Moritzberg, near Nuremburg. Average gradient was 8.95% with a maximum of 18%.[5]
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Birgit Braumann | Austria | 2:26.138 | 49.761 |
2. | Sonja Granzow | Germany | 2:27.555 | 49.283 |
3. | Leoni Dickerhoff | Germany | 2:31.908 | 47.871 |
4. | Anja Jerenko | Germany | 2:34.661 | 47.018 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Birgit Braumann | Austria | * | ** |
2. | Sonja Granzow | Germany | * | ** |
3. | Christina Mimler | Germany | * | ** |
4. | Leoni Dickerhoff | Germany | * | ** |
*Run not timed. **No average speed can be calculated due to run not being timed.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Thomas Schäfer | Germany | 2:04.230 | 58.536 |
2. | Ivan Saladin | Switzerland | 2:06.827 | 57.317 |
3. | Olaf Pollack | Germany | 2:08.314 | 56.673 |
4. | Daniel Auerswald | Germany | 2:08.922 | 56.406 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Thomas Schäfer | Germany | * | ** |
2. | Sebastian Körber | Germany | * | ** |
3. | Thomas Lerzer | Germany | * | ** |
4. | Stefan Hofmeier | Switzerland | * | ** |
*Run not timed. **No average speed can be calculated due to run not being timed.
Full table of results [6]
The 2009 Red Bull Road Rage season finale saw a return to racing in Switzerland, this time in Rengg, on 28 October 2009. The event was held on a 2.1 km course with 210m elevation drop, descending from Rengg into Entlebuch, Switzerland. Average gradient was 10% with a maximum of 16%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Janos Köhler | Ireland | 1:39.31 | 76.125 |
2. | Michael Schärer | Switzerland | 1:39.91 | 75.668 |
3. | David Lacoste | France | 1:40.82 | 74.985 |
4. | Sebastian Körber | Germany | 1:41.10 | 74.777 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Sebastian Körber | Germany | * | ** |
2. | Janos Köhler | Ireland | * | ** |
3. | Michael Schärer | Switzerland | * | ** |
4. | David Lacoste | France | * | ** |
*Run not timed. **No average speed can be calculated due to run not being timed.
The 2010 Red Bull Road Rage season opener was held for the first time in Belgium, 22 May 2010. The event was held on a 950m course with 95m elevation drop, descending La Redoute into Aywaille. Average gradient was 10% with a maximum of 22%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Janos Köhler | Ireland | 0:50.26 | 72.117 |
2. | David Lacoste | France | 0:50.53 | 71.744 |
3. | Guillaume Gaulandi | France | 0:52.41 | 69.170 |
4. | François-Xavier Plaçais | France | 0:52.63 | 68.874 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Janos Köhler | Ireland | 0:50.52 | 71.745 |
2. | Christian Lademann | Germany | 0:51.07 | 70.984 |
3. | David Lacoste | France | 0:51.09 | 70.947 |
4. | François-Xavier Plaçais | France | 0:51.75 | 70.044 |
The second 2010 Red Bull Road Rage event was held for the first time in Latvia, on 30 May 2010. The event was held on a 700m course with 80m elevation drop, descending along the National Bobsleigh Track access road in Sigulda, Latvia. Average gradient was 11.4% with a maximum of 15%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Ivita Krūmiņa | Latvia | 0:56.70 | 44.444 |
2. | Marta Garā | Latvia | 0:59.50 | 42.353 |
3. | Aija Petrovska | Latvia | 1:03.10 | 39.937 |
4. | Dace Gala | Latvia | 1:06.20 | 38.066 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Ivita Krūmiņa | Latvia | 0:52.85 | 47.682 |
2. | Marta Garā | Latvia | 0:56.85 | 44.327 |
3. | Aija Petrovska | Latvia | 0:58.35 | 43.188 |
4. | Dace Gala | Latvia | 1:00.15 | 41.895 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Juris Luščenoks | Latvia | 0.46.85 | 53.789 |
2. | Gundars Osis | Latvia | 0.47.05 | 53.560 |
3. | Mārtiņš Sproģis | Latvia | 0.47.10 | 53.503 |
=4. | Reinis Avens | Latvia | 0.47.35 | 53.221 |
=4. | Arnis Zdanovskis | Latvia | 0.47.35 | 53.221 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Jānis Bulēvičs | Latvia | 0:45.05 | 55.938 |
2. | Kristaps Osis | Latvia | 0:45.25 | 55.691 |
3. | Reinis Avens | Latvia | 0:45.35 | 55.568 |
4. | Mārtiņš Sproģis | Latvia | 0:46.25 | 54.486 |
The 2010 Red Bull Road Rage season finale took place in yet another new venue, this time in Israel. The event was held on 3.3 km course with 295m elevation drop, descending from Mevo Hama to Hamat Gader, Israel. Average gradient was 8.94% with a maximum of 18%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Ben Kedmi | Israel | 3:41.04 | 53.75 |
2. | Janos Köhler | Ireland | 3:44.03 | 53.03 |
3. | Eli Vexler | Israel | 3:45.16 | 52.76 |
4. | Chanoch Redlich | Israel | 3:48.34 | 52.03 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Ohad Ben Hamo | Israel | * | ** |
2. | Daniel Eliad | Israel | * | ** |
3. | Eli Wexler | Israel | * | ** |
4. | Janos Köhler | Ireland | * | ** |
*Run not timed. **No average speed can be calculated due to run not being timed.
The only 2011 Red Bull Road Rage event was held for the first time in Poland, 1 October 2011. The event was held on a 4 km course with 260m elevation drop, descending Góra Żar to Międzybrodzie Żywiecki. Average gradient was 6.5% with a maximum of 14%.
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Arkadiusz Ustroń | Poland | 3:52.43 | 61.954 |
2. | Christian Lademann | Germany | 3:52.60 | 61.909 |
3. | Marcin Motyka | Poland | 3.53.20 | 61.749 |
4. | Piotr Szafraniec | Poland | 3.55.30 | 61.198 |
Place | Rider | Country | Time | Average speed (km/h) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Piotr Szafraniec | Poland | * | ** |
2. | Christian Lademann | Germany | * | ** |
3. | Marcin Motyka | Poland | * | ** |
4. | Przemek Hrabia | Poland | * | ** |
*Run not timed. **No average speed can be calculated due to run not being timed.
Race course distances and total elevation drop have varied from event to event. The original Red Bull Road Rage descending Tuna Canyon, Malibu, California, USA, was held on a 4 km course, with 390m elevation drop. The shortest course was in Sigulda, Latvia, measuring just 700m and including only 80m elevation drop. The longest course was in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, with a total distance of 5 km and 360m elevation drop.
The fastest officially recorded top speed was by Mauro Bettin in 2009 during the Italian Road Rage in Cortina d’Ampezzo, at 98 km/h.[7]
The fastest average speed during a timed run is Janos Köhler's ITT qualifying run in 2009 during the Swiss Road Rage in Rengg, at 76.125 km/h. David Lacoste holds the record for the highest recorded average speed during normal racing, when in 2010 during the Belgian Road Rage he achieved an average speed of 72.271 km/h during his semi final run.[8]
The most participations have been by Janos Köhler with 6, who has contested 3 finals and achieved 2 podium finishes. Janos Köhler is also the only rider to qualify in 1st place 2 times and in 2 consecutive races. Guillaume Gualandi holds the record for the most consecutive appearances in a final with 3. Janos Köhler and Sebastian Körber hold the record for the most consecutive podium finishes with 2 each. Guillaume Gualandi is the only rider to be ranked #1 in the World Rankings more than once, doing so in consecutive years, thus also the only rider to successfully defend a #1 World Ranking. 6 riders have successfully won both the qualifying run and the final at the same event: Miles Rockwell – Tuna Canyon, Malibu, California (2005); Frédéric Moncassin – Saint-Lary-Soulan, France (2009); Birgit Braumann and Thomas Schäfer – Moritzberg, Germany (2009); Janos Köhler – La Redoute, Aywaille, Belgium (2010); and Ivita Krūmiņa – Sigulda, Latvia (2010). The most successful riders are Guillaume Gualandi and Janos Köhler with 1 win, a 2nd and a 4th place each. No rider has yet managed to win the competition more than once. The oldest rider to win is Frédéric Moncassin, who was 39 years and 350 days old when he won in Saint-Lary-Soulan, France. The youngest winner was Thomas Schäfer who was 25 years and 132 days old when he won on the Moritzberg, Germany.
Three riders have contested 3 finals each:
Event victories | Country |
---|---|
2 | France Germany |
1 | Ireland Israel Italy Latvia Poland United States |
Event victories | Country |
---|---|
1 | Austria Latvia |
Although there is no officially recognised points system in place as each race has been run as a stand alone event, based on full season combined qualifying and race results the following riders finished as the #1 World Ranked Red Bull Road Rage athletes.
*Full season comprising one single event only.