Groningen hosts first women's Red Bull District Ride slopestyle mountain bike competition

The historic Grote Markt in Groningen, Netherlands, was transformed into a wooden slopestyle course for the Red Bull District Ride weekend in July. Around 20,000 spectators watched riders navigate ramps, jumps and wall‑rides built beside the 500‑year‑old Martinitoren bell tower.

Swedish rider Alma Wiggberg, 23, claimed the inaugural women’s title, marking the first time a women’s division has been included in the Diamond‑level event. The competition offered equal prize money and audience exposure to the female riders, a milestone noted by organizers. Course designer Desmond Tessemaker oversaw a four‑day build with a crew of about 125, turning the centuries‑old market square into a world‑class extreme‑sports arena.

The event is part of the Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour’s Slopestyle Super League and highlights growing gender parity in extreme sports.