Race Report: Q&A With Kurt Sorge, 2021 Rampage Second Place Finisher
Kurt Sorge is a Red Bull Rampage veteran. Having competed in 9 of the 15 years of the event, the Canadian knows his way around the Virgin, Utah desert. Heading into the weekend, he was hoping to stand on the top of the podium and claim his fourth victory. After stomping two clean runs, Kurt brought home the silver and will be back next year hungrier than ever. Click here to watch Kurt's run that landed him on the podium.
Photos be Fraser Britton and Kenny Wehn.
Stan's NoTubes: Having competed in more than half of the editions of Red Bull Rampage, what keeps you motivated and coming back for more?
Kurt Sorge: My motivation for Rampage stems from my passion for big mountain riding and love of jumping a bicycle. My main focus in riding is to find new and unique landscapes to ride and bring my freestyle background there. After a year of pursuing this type of riding is the perfect recipe for putting together a Rampage run and a great venue to continue to push myself.
SNT: When waiting for your turn to drop in, are you watching what the other riders are doing to make any adjustments to your run? Or is your line set in stone before heading to the start area?
KS: Going into Rampage you have a good idea of what you'd like to include into your run before you arrive but you never really know until you've been able to get feet on the ground and tools in the dirt. When it is time to put a run together I only focus on what I want to do and the run that I am going to be the most stoked on. If I can pull that run off I am stoked whether it lands me on top of the podium or not.
SNT: Do you prefer new venues or established ones?
KS: Having a new venue or returning to a venue both have their pro and cons. It is the most exciting starting from scratch, but it also means a lot more work to get a line built which will ultimately cut into your practise time. You then have to rely on your skills to be able to ride things more blind and way less practise which can work in your favour or not depending on your line and features but everyone is in the same boat. Returning to a venue for the second year or an older site like this year is much easier as you can build off of old lines and go into finals with much more confidence since you can practise your run a lot more.
SNT: How did you stay on top of your game in 2020 with the lack of formal competition?
KS: In 2020 we weren't able to travel or compete like normal so I had more time to focus on building and riding my home training compound which I have been working on the last few years. Combined with riding my own jumps and exploring the mountains around my area I was able to have one of my best seasons yet.
