The biggest Women’s freeride event in the World has taken place in Virgin, Utah the home of the illustrious Red Bull Rampage and now the home of Red Bull Formation. As the shovels hit the dirt and the wild lines were created, 12 of the World’s best freeride Women emerge in the desert to push their boundaries and blur the lines…..
By Mike Branch
Since it’s inception in 2019 and inspired by the vision of Katie Holden, Formation has grown to be an event that isn’t about winning or prizes but about building a women’s freeride community that pushes the boundaries. This year we have seen some of the best ladies on two wheels bring the steeze and send some of the biggest features ever sent at Formation.
The progression witnessed was spectacular and truly marks a turning point for women’s freeride mountain biking. We have seen a tremendous amount of confidence from the riders. From tackling steep drops to choosing lines that played to their styles and incorporating tricks, we hit a major milestone.
Katie Holden
2022 Red Bull Formation riders
- Cami Nogueria (Argentina)
- Casey Brown (Canada)
- Chelsea Kimball (USA)
- Georgia Astle (Canada)
- Hannah Bergemann (USA)
- Harriet Burbidge-Smith (Australia)
- Louise Ferguson (United Kingdom)
- Robin Goomes (New Zealand)
- Sam Soriano (USA)
- Vaea Verbeeck (Canada)
- Vero Sandler (United Kingdom)
- Vinny Armstrong (New Zealand)
12 of the best Women’s freeriders in the World were chosen by judges to compete at Red bull Formation. Each individual rider dug their lines down the mountain and pushed the boundaries, sometimes blurring them in the interest of progression.
After two days of digging and two days of riding, the athletes voted on who they thought ‘brought the spice’ to the event. On the final day Argentine Nogueira took the accolade after charging one of the most technical and exposed lines of the weekend.
Winning this award is the perfect end to an epic event. My goal was to challenge myself with a daring line, one that would challenge my courage due to its exposure and where I would need to stay calm under pressure. I truly believe everyone riding today deserved this honour as they are my friends who continue to push and inspire me.
Argentine Nogueira
As the sun set over the mountains in Virgin Utah, women’s freeride mountain biking had taken a giant step forward in it’s rapid ascension. There’s no doubt that gender aside, some of the biggest hits of 2022 took place in the desert at Red Bull Formation and it’s amazing to see the progression in such a short time…..
