Rotorua's Robin Goomes made history in Southern Utah on Oct. 8, 2026, becoming the first rider to win the Red Bull Rampage title three times in a row. The New Zealander secured the victory with a final run score of 93.50 points, also becoming the first woman to land a flat spin 360 during the extreme mountain biking competition.
A Historic Third Consecutive Title
The 2026 competition took place on a venue described by organizers as the steepest and longest in the event's history. The course featured 200 meters of vertical descent spread across 90 acres of dry sandstone dirt terrain. This increased verticality added significant difficulty to the digging process, which Goomes noted was the hardest she has experienced in the last two years. According to Red Bull, the event's 25th anniversary also saw a historic shift as men and women descended from the same start gate for the first time, sharing sections of their lines.
Goomes' victory was determined by a high-stakes second run. During her first descent, she trailed American Hannah Bergemann by 0.63 points after a run that included a suicide no-hander and various technical features. However, Goomes increased her intensity in her second attempt, adding more style and cleaning up her tricks to overtake Bergemann. The 29-year-old's performance included a backflip off a massive step-down and a backflip cancan near the bottom of the course. Her ability to execute these complex tricks earned her the Utah Sports Commission Best Trick Award for her flat spin 360.
Podium Results and Resilience
The podium was rounded out by Hannah Bergemann in second place and Canadian Kirsten Van Horne in third. Bergemann, an American who finished with 92.75 points, was noted for her style as a 'big mountain charger' who excels in technical terrain. Bergemann's performance included a notable moment of resilience when she crashed and somersaulted during a practice session on the 40-foot Big Lebowski drop, but she returned to the feature to complete the run, earning the BFGoodrich Tires Toughness Award.
Kirsten Van Horne, who scored 86.50 points, transitioned from a rookie in 2025 to a podium threat in 2026. Her run featured four impressive tricks, including a suicide no-hander on her largest drop. Van Horne, who previously competed in the 2022 Red Bull Formation event, described the experience of standing on the podium with Bergemann and Goomes as feeling surreal.
Preparation and Evolution of Freeride
The competition highlights the evolving nature of freeride mountain biking. Competition director Todd Barber noted that the 2026 event represents a new chapter for the sport, as men and women are increasingly working together to scheme and build their lines. Bergemann commented that the ability to work with male diggers to unlock features has been an awesome experience.
Goomes, who grew up on the Chatham Islands and served in the army in Antarctica, credited her success to intense preparation. She revealed that she had built a training compound at home in New Zealand specifically to practice a backflip step-down, though she ultimately performed a flat spin 360 instead. Reflecting on the achievement, Goomes said, 'Winning once was something I never thought I could accomplish, so winning this third title is a dream. The pressure seems to just keep building.'
Competition Format and Results
The Red Bull Rampage format requires athletes to navigate rugged terrain without a natural route, necessitating a week of preparation. Competitors spend approximately three days digging and shaping their lines using only manual labor, as power tools and external materials are prohibited. Each rider is allowed a team of two people to assist with the digging process.
The women's field for the 2026 finals included a variety of international competitors. Following the podium finishers, New Zealander Vinny Armstrong finished in fourth place with a score of 82.75 on both her first and second runs. Other competitors included Harriet Burbidge-Smith of Australia, Chelsea Kimball of the United States, and Mikayla Parton of Seychelles.
Legacy of the Rampage
As the sport continues to progress, the 2026 Red Bull Rampage serves as a benchmark for technical skill and physical endurance. Goomes' achievement marks a milestone for women in extreme sports, cementing her legacy in freeride history alongside her previous wins in 2024 and the inaugural women's edition of the event.
Final Standings
The final standings for the 2026 women's Red Bull Rampage were:
1. Robin Goomes (NZL) - 93.50
2. Hannah Bergemann (USA) - 92.75
3. Kirsten Van Horne (CAN) - 86.50
4. Vinny Armstrong (NZL) - 82.75
5. Harriet Burbidge-Smith (AUS) - 82.51
6. Chelsea Kimball (USA) - 81.87
7. Mikayla Parton (SCT) - 81.75
8. Georgia Astle (CAN) - 80.37
9. Casey Brown (CAN) - 76.00
10. Janelle Soukup (USA) - 73.50
