#!markdown
Freeriding was/is a rebellious side to the mtb world, and it would have
continued to develop without Redbull. Maybe not as rapidly, but it was
destined to happen.
Redbull certainly amplifies the sport, but it does not define or "support" it,
not in the sense that it will die if RB goes away.
The day is coming when Redbull will be either be challenged, or it will fade
away. Sports go in phases, and right now, mountain biking is fast approaching
the equivalent of where it was in the 90s before it tanked. Similar things
happened with skateboarding and BMX/freestyle. Call it jumping the shark or
whatever - mountain biking might still be on the 'rise' but it's going to peak
again - Redbull is not what the industry and athletes should be worried about.
Aug. 29, 2014, 9:42 p.m. - Jerry Hazard
#!markdown Freeriding was/is a rebellious side to the mtb world, and it would have continued to develop without Redbull. Maybe not as rapidly, but it was destined to happen. Redbull certainly amplifies the sport, but it does not define or "support" it, not in the sense that it will die if RB goes away. The day is coming when Redbull will be either be challenged, or it will fade away. Sports go in phases, and right now, mountain biking is fast approaching the equivalent of where it was in the 90s before it tanked. Similar things happened with skateboarding and BMX/freestyle. Call it jumping the shark or whatever - mountain biking might still be on the 'rise' but it's going to peak again - Redbull is not what the industry and athletes should be worried about.