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The tools Hannah Bergemann uses to conquer Red Bull Rampage
The American approaches Red Bull Rampage like a puzzle, using strategy, precision and progression to succeed on freeride mountain biking’s biggest stage.
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Right before the final trick of Hannah Bergemann's 2025 Red Bull Rampage run sat the biggest drop of her line: a 42-foot cliff. The 29-year-old had only seconds to land that imposing feature to dial in the speed for the upcoming jump.
Bergemann had spent the afternoon before the competition unlocking the last piece of her line. She had already checked off a gnarly entrance, a canyon gap, a rhythm section of playful jumps, and her signature cliff drop. The only thing left on her Rampage wishlist was a backflip to close out the run.
In practice, Bergemann had confidently soared over the 42-foot cliff, landing without a bobble and continuing to the jumps ahead of her. When she hiked back up to the upper ridgeline for another run, she was relaxed and even joyful at times - smiling as she pushed her bike.
After a few test hits, she pulled for a backflip. Her form was perfect, and when she completed the rotation, the crowd of onlookers erupted in cheers that echoed through the venue.
Hannah Bergemann commits to a massive cliff drop in practice
© Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool
All you need to know about Red Bull Rampage
01
The making of a freeride trailblazer
That backflip is one of many examples of Bergemann's calculus, her ability to solve and decipher daunting features. Whether it’s Red Bull Rampage, Red Bull Hardline, Natural Selection, a jump jam with friends, or an adventure ride in some far-flung corner of the globe, the American is a master at piecing together and unlocking features.
As a leading freeride mountain biker, Bergemann has spent the last seven years pushing the sport and herself in the name of progression. That pursuit was first sparked in high school by a hand-me-down mountain bike from her dad. “I loved the sense of freedom that came with the bike,” she says.
Freeride naturally appealed to her, even before she considered herself a freerider. “I was kind of always doing freeride - I just didn’t have the vocabulary for it,” she explains.
Before her freeride career, Bergemann raced enduro and was on track to be a threat on the Enduro World Series. But during training, instead of lapping the same trail to find the quickest line, she spent her free time seeking out new rock rolls or drops to unlock in Bellingham, Washington.
The jumps were always calling to her as well. Her curiosity for progression only deepened on a college spring break trip to Virgin, Utah - the epicentre of freeride mountain biking. Interpreting the terrain and building features from scratch spoke to her more than winning races.
A clean backflip set off Bergemann's historic Red Bull Rampage run
© Christian Pondella/Red Bull Content Pool
02
Excelling in freeride competitions
In 2019, she took another step towards freeride by participating in Formation - which later became Red Bull Formation - a groundbreaking freeride camp set at a former Red Bull Rampage venue.
She rose to the challenge, putting down a career-defining performance, which allowed her to pursue mountain biking full time. From that point onwards, Bergemann chased progression, attending Red Bull Formation in 2021 and 2022.
Her performances played a role in the creation of the women’s category at Red Bull Rampage. She was a favourite going into the inaugural women’s Red Bull Rampage in 2024, but had to withdraw due to an injury, waiting until 2025 to officially compete.
03
A global playground for progression
Beyond the desert, freeride is Bergemann’s tool for exploring the world. In one season, she’ll go from competing at Natural Selection - placing third in 2026 in New Zealand – to riding massive jumps at Loose Fest in Belgium.
Bergemann sending a backflip
© Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool
"I kind of like all of it. I’m willing to see what speaks to me,” she explains, always eager to try something new and dabbling in everything from filming to competitions to big mountain adventures.
She’ll even do an urban downhill race in Mexico for the fun of it. These experiences accumulate, becoming a point of reference for new challenges. For her 2025 Red Bull Rampage run, it was a key part of how she unlocked her line.
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A career-defining run at Red Bull Rampage 2025
Heading into Red Bull Rampage competition day, Bergemann had all the pieces in place. The only thing left to do was to drop in. Despite the crowd and music echoing in the canyon below and the drone buzzing angrily above her, she didn’t hear any of it.
She sat on her bike with a feeling of complete zen. “It just felt like I had done everything I could to be prepared in that moment,” she reflects. Once given the fateful countdown, Bergemann descended the course, playfully slashing her bike, even laughing as she hit one of her jumps.
Bergemann impressed at Red Bull Hardline in 2025
© Nathan Hughes/Red Bull Content Pool
I’ve been riding my bike as much as I can in a variety of different locations. It helps me feel confident and connected with my bike
As she approached her final trick jump, she pulled once again, sending another flawless backflip. When she rolled into the finish corral, her parents were there to celebrate with hugs. The commanding run earned her 89.33, ultimately securing a second-place finish.
05
High ambitions for Red Bull Rampage 2026
Heading into the 2026 Red Bull Rampage, that 2025 run, and all the adventures before it, will inform her process. “I’ve been riding my bike as much as I can in a variety of different locations. It helps me feel confident and connected with my bike, and practice riding new lines and areas,” she shares about her 2026 prep. "Additionally, I’ve been strength training in the gym, digging, and doing some airbag training as well.”
None of this preparation is about the podium; it's about putting down a run that feels true to her. Above all, Bergemann wants to focus on enjoying the process rather than chasing results. “It’s a wild ride from scout day to comp day, and I want to soak it all in.”
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