Red Bull USA

Paul Basagoitia burst onto the competitive scene in 2004 with no sponsor and a borrowed bike. Nobody knew who he was… yet. Brushing skeptics aside, he upstaged the field at Whistler Crankworx and nabbed first place. In the years following, Paul—“Bass” to friends and fans—has risen to become one of the top freestyle riders on the pro circuit, known for putting down cutting-edge runs on dirt, urban and steep terrains.

After picking up a sponsorship from Kona bikes, Bass came back in 2005 to take first place in Crankworx again, solidifying his presence on the pro tour. “Taking Crankworx back-to-back was definitely a high point in my career so far,” Bass says. “It showed everyone that I wasn’t just a fluke, that I was here to win.” That same year, he took first at the Gathering and second at the Red Bull District Ride (a crushing one-point loss in the final). In 2006, Bass dominated the District Ride in Europe, taking first overall.

Since then, Bass has continued to hold the podium in style. A first-place overall finish at the 2007 Nissan Qashqai Tour gave way to another spot on the podium at Crankworx Colorado that year. His approach to the slopestyle riding is a mix of huge, singular airs and bold, technical maneuvers. And often Bass will hit what no one else will. At the 2008 Red Bull Rampage, he was the only rider to launch off the massive kicker jutting out into the canyon where the competition was held—just two weeks after recovering from a broken collarbone.