If you haven't already, then grab a big marker and highlight September 6th in your calendar. This is the day that Red Bull District Ride returns and it will be bigger than ever! The entire world will be watching freeride athletes take to the streets of the historical town of Nuremberg. Starting at the castle in the heart of the city – the urban course will challenge the riders like never before, but also give them every opportunity to add diversity and creativity to their tricks. The brains behind this FMB World Tour Diamond event course is no stranger to the scene.
Aaron Chase is the man in charge of getting everything dialed on a whole new level: „I'm confident, that no mountain bike event has ever gathered more attention, than this year's Red Bull District Ride will." The experienced North American rider has combined the very best of different freeride disciplines into a single masterpiece. Running through five districts the course will feature elements from Slopestyle, Dirt jump, and Park. However, the big crowd pleaser will of course be the Big Air jump located in the buzzing town square. Only the most versatile and skilled riders in modern freeride mountain biking will get the chance to triumph in Nuremberg.
The competition could not be more fierce. Half of the 24 positions are already taken: the top ten athletes from FMB World Ranking have automatically pre-qualified for the FMB Diamond Series. The brand new series consists of the five biggest events on the calendar. This structure will ensure a legendary line up with top names including Brandon Semenuk, Martin Soderstrom, Brett Rheeder, 2011 Red Bull District Ride champion Sam Pilgrim and let's not forget two of the freeride legends, Cameron Zink and Darren Berrecloth.
In addition to the set riders, wildcards will be awarded to athletes prior to Red Bull District Ride. Already, Germany's slopestyle ace Peter Henke has secured himself a spot in Nuremberg. No need to stress that he is eager to show off his bag of tricks in front of his home crowd: „It's an insane opportunity for me to compete at Red Bull District Ride this year. Of course I will give everything I've got and aim for the win!"
The Polish trickster, Szymon Godziek, won his wildcard at Vienna Air King earlier this year. As the highest ranked athlete which was not already invited to compete at Red Bull District Ride, he was lucky enough to claim one of the highly sought-after spots. Two more wildcards will be handed out at high-class events throughout the year: one at the GoPro Mountain Games (USA) and the last one at the Swatch Prime Line Munich (GER).
These are the first twelve riders attending Red Bull District Ride 2014:
- Brandon Semenuk (CAN)
- Brett Rheeder (CAN)
- Martin Soderstrom (SWE)
- Sam Pilgrim (GBR)
- Kelly McGarry (NZL)
- Cameron Zink (USA)
- Anton Thelander (SWE)
- Thomas Genon (BEL)
- Darren Berrecloth (CAN)
- Yannick Granieri (FRA)
- Peter Henke (GER) (wildcard)
- Szymon Godziek (POL) (wildcard)
About Red Bull District Ride:
After four editions in 2005, 2006 and 2011 in Nuremberg/Germany as well as in Catania/Italy (2006), Red Bull District Ride has gained the reputation of a legendary event. The top mountain bike athletes gather to compete at a unique urban setting and entertain thousands of spectators with their tricks.