Freestyle Motocross

Moto | Red Bull Imagination 2.0

September 1, 2021
Tyler Tate

Tyler Bereman talks about the evolution of Red Bull Imagination and the list of riders is out.

From the mind of Tyler Bereman returns Red Bull Imagination in 2021, with a course debuting new features and even more methods of finesse. If you didn’t catch the event in 2020, let us spell it out for you.

Derived from a passion for stylistic expression on two-wheels and placed in the gorgeous Great Plains of Kansas, Red Bull Imagination set out to be the first true competition platform for freeride motocross. Take a course design from the veteran course designer Jason Baker of Dream Traxx, add in the most skilled Freeriders in the world, and then tell them that their run will go as far as their creativity will take it—that sounds like a recipe for a successful second year of Red Bull Imagination.

“I think this year is going to be really cool to see what comes of it.” – Bereman

“From my perspective, Imagination 2020 actually went a lot better than anticipated. We were really lucky that the dirt was some of the best dirt we’ve been able to work with,” says Bereman on the creative collaboration with Jason Baker of Dream Traxx that brought a dream-designed course to reality. He adds, “[The course] was as close as we could possibly get to what we had drawn. For the 21 days of the build that we had, it was nothing short of miraculous what Baker and his crew were able to put together…”

As Red Bull Imagination 2021 approaches, Tyler’s motivation is at an all-time high to build on what they established in 2020. “The foundation that we built in 21 days, it’s still there. And our goal is just to keep adding to the course. I think this year is going to be really cool to see what comes of it.”

For this year, three new sections will be added to the course offering more creative freedom for the riders to illustrate their skill, style and prowess. And that’s not the only thing changing: the start and finish line has been removed. Why? The idea is that eliminating the start and finish line will create a better session-ing atmosphere encouraging the athletes to push the course even more. Start and finish line sections create a beaten path between Point A and Point B. Now that it’s not in sight, riders are free to attack the course any way they see fit. This style has been implemented in pool/bowl session skateboarding contests for years and Bereman aim’s to closely emulate this.

“We’re going to have the bigger jump side with the quarter pipe, the tree jumps, and add more lines and opportunity for the big side. Then the Supercross section will be a skatepark style dirt park,” Bereman explains. “Visually that is our goal—to make it look like a skatepark. Just a ton of options. You can have one lip that you can go three different directions. Then we’re going to have a jib style section with wall rides, the container, and integrate some things from the heartland region like semi-trucks, tractors, and hay bales into the course. We built this course off of features that we would hit all over the world while we’re free riding.”

Tyler Bereman competes in Red Bull Imagination in Fort Scott, Kansas USA on 14 October, 2020. // Chris Tedesco/Red Bull Content Pool // SI202010190342 // Usage for editorial use only //

Rider List Announced

8 of the best freeride motocross riders will join Bereman in the backlands of Kansas for the 2021 event.

The expanded rider roster sees both former riders and event rookies taking to the custom-built course yet again.

The format will be quite different from last year’s timed and scored runs. The event will see rider’s session riding and familiarizing themselves with the course features the first several days and will culminate with a final competition day.

The removal of the start and finish lines from this year’s event are sure to emphasize and up level the competition by allowing riders to attack the wide variety of course features however they see fit.

While the scoring rubrics are still being finalized, the key judging criteria will be focused on the riders’ creativity in carving their own line.

The Red Bull Imagination champion will be determined by the total of the 3 scores each rider earns.

Bereman’s perspective is that full creative expression in freeriding is much different than freestyle motocross. Since transitioning from his racing career, Bereman has committed himself to showing the world that freeriding has no limits.
“Freestyle has gotten to the point where they have three double backflip and front flip tricks in their runs and it’s kind of over people’s heads. A lot of the average Joes sitting on the couch don’t understand what’s going on. It’s crazy that freestyle has gotten to that point.”
“A lot of the free riding side of things was forgotten about. At one point it was all either racing or filling out stadiums for stuff like X-Fighters or Freestyle Events and I think there was really not many events when it came to just free riding. Free riding doesn’t necessarily mean tricks, it doesn’t necessarily mean racing, it’s whatever you’d like to make it. These riders aren’t necessarily chasing the biggest tricks, they’re just having creativity on their motorcycle.”

“I want to show these kids coming up it’s not all about race results and wins, it’s about creating content and enjoying what you’re doing.” – Bereman

All the action can be followed via an exclusive behind-the-scenes series, launching September 14 on Red Bull Motorsports YouTube and Red Bull TV. Catch up on all the action from last year’s Red Bull Imagination by visiting https://www.redbull.com/us-en/projects/imagination.