MTB
Tom van Steenbergen tries to frontflip the 72-foot canyon gap at Red Bull Rampage, and walks away.
Tom van Steenbergen was one of the most exciting riders coming into Red Bull Rampage 2014. After a disappointing result in 2013 and a shoulder injury earlier this year, the 19-year-old rider from Holland who now resides in Canada was hungry to show the world his true capabilities on a mountain bike.
After landing this world record frontflip while filming for Anthill Films early this summer, Tom showed up to Rampage 2014 with every intention of doing the same trick over the massive 72-foot canyon gap.
It wasn't really calculated. I just kinda went for it not knowing the exact speed and rotation, which was pretty scary.
Unfortunately, Tom's frontflip attempt on the 72-foot gap came up just one foot short and he took a hard tumble. Although he walked away with his head held high, it was visibly one of the roughest falls taken in finals.
"I knew it wasn't going to work as soon as my back tire hit the ground. It was just a bit earlier than I expected," said van Steenbergen. "It wasn't really calculated. I just kinda went for it not knowing the exact speed and rotation, which was pretty scary."
More: Massive 360 drop earns Best Trick at Rampage 2014
TVS sprained his sacoriliac joint in the crash, causing him huge pain. "I usually try to get up and start walking after I crash," he admitted, "But I was in quite a bit of pain – I almost passed out when I got up."
I mostly spend my time building new stuff to ride when I'm fully healed . . . I can't wait to get back at it
"The recovery is going pretty good," Tom says. "I've been seeing my chiropractor about two times a week. I mostly spend my time building new stuff to ride when I'm fully healed."
"I can't wait to get back at it and hopefully stay healthy for a little while now," added van Steenbergen. "Injuries suck, but it's part of what we do, we're gonna have to live with it!"
More: Watch the best action from Rampage 2014
Watch the VOD replay of Red Bull Rampage finals, including on-demand replays of specific runs, on the Red Bull Rampage site.
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