Messy Bikes and Misguided Videos: The Torquato Testa Controversy
Alright, large crowds with their perfectly sculpted bicycles, and not an ounce of common sense to spare! Torquato Testa, an Italian slopestyle pro and YouTube personality, has managed to rack up a serious wave of criticism faster than a mountain biker going downhill. The culprit? A (now deleted) video where he and his mate Daniel Valperta decided, for some bizarre reason, to rate the attractiveness of female participants at the prestigious Red Bull Rampage.
Now, let’s get this straight. This year marked the first time that women participated in the Red Bull Rampage, which is essentially the Olympics of freeride mountain biking. And what do these two geniuses do? They turn it into a beauty contest. In 2024! The response was like watching a slow-motion crash – you know it’s coming, but you can’t look away. Spoiler alert: it was not received well.
Handling the Villain Role
Before we dive headfirst into the carnage of reactions, let’s discuss the fallout. Testa’s antics didn’t just prompt a few annoyed tweets; they led to sleepless nights for several sponsors. NS Bikes wasted no time and announced that they’ve terminated their partnership. Their statement hit back like a well-aimed water bottle thrown during a race: “We cannot support behaviour that misrepresents or disrespects these athletes.” Ouch! You can almost hear their marketing team exhaling in relief, “Thank goodness we dodged that bullet!”
To those affected by this video debacle, the sentiment was clear. Veronique Sandler, a female rider with a fifth-place finish at Rampage, didn’t hold back in her Instagram tirade. She termed the video “gross,” beautifully encapsulating the general mood across the MTB community. I mean, why objectify women at an event where they’re being celebrated for their extraordinary athleticism? It’s like critiquing coffee by its aroma while ignoring the whole brewing process. Silly, but, evidently not out of reach for some folks!
Damage Control or Backpedaling?
After realizing the storm he’d brewed, Testa promptly deleted the video and offered an apology. But let’s be honest, his words read more like damage control than genuine remorse. According to him, the video was meant to introduce Italians to the stunning female athletes and clearly, that didn’t include any comprehension of respectful introduction.
“I probably the bike community isn’t ready for that kind of content yet!”
Newsflash Torquato: the bike community is ready for many things. Women being respected for their skills? Absolutely! Getting objectified like a trophy? Not even a little bit!
Reflections in the Rearview Mirror
In what sounded suspiciously like a tear-filled monologue from a sitcom, Testa took to Instagram again, lamenting about how this experience has shattered his delusion of being surrounded by “good people.” Perhaps he might want to apply that lesson towards understanding what “good” actually means. It’s like realizing your friends don’t all really like you just because they love your homemade pasta… they might just be there for the carbs!
“All this hate made me think and made me lose interest in this world.”
Welcome to the real world, Torquato! Where your actions have consequences and viewers, as a collective, decided that enough is enough! One’s athletic talent doesn’t shield from the ugly realities of a misogynistic commentary – looks like that mirror is coming in handy after all!
Conclusion: What’s the Verdict?
So, what do we take from this mess? Well, if you’re in the content creation game, let’s keep our focus on talent over looks, shall we? The mountain biking community deserves more than yet another episode of “Who’s Hot or Not.” Let’s raise the bar higher instead of leaving it in the dirt where it doesn’t belong. Perhaps Torquato should stick to peddling skills, not opinions, because right now, the landscape is looking a little bit rocky and, we dare say, sexist.
What do you think? Is it time for a new riding attitude in our beloved sports? Let us know in the comments below!
Italian slopestyle professional and popular YouTuber Torquato Testa is currently embroiled in a significant controversy. This follows the release of a video where he and co-host Daniel Valperta evaluated the attractiveness of participants at this year’s Red Bull Rampage, an event noted for featuring women competitors for the first time in 2024. In the wake of this backlash, Testa’s frame sponsor, NS Bikes, has severed ties with him.
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Last week, Testa’s video sparked outrage across social media platforms as many viewed it as both disrespectful and sexist, especially given the historic inclusion of female athletes at the prestigious freeride competition. Numerous prominent figures from the mountain biking community have voiced their disappointment in response to the video. Following a wave of backlash, Torquato Testa opted to remove the video shortly after its release, although the MTB News editorial team was unable to view the content firsthand due to its quick deletion.
This year, women took part in the Red Bull Rampage for the first time. – Left to right: Katie Holden, Robin Goomes, Georgia Astle, Casey Brown, Vero Sandler, Vinny Armstrong, Casey Kimball, Vea Verbeeck, and Michelle Parker. | Image: Red Bull Content Pool
As the fallout continued, several of Testa’s sponsors have ended their partnerships with him. NS Bikes issued a statement clarifying its decision:
NS Bikes has terminated its partnership with athlete Torquato Testa, effective immediately, following a video in which he presented female athletes from the Red Bull Rampage event in an inappropriate and disrespectful manner.
Our brand holds the women’s MTB community in high regard, collaborating with both former and current female riders. We cannot support behaviour that misrepresents or disrespects these athletes, as it stands in direct opposition to our values of respect and inclusion in the sport.
NS Bikes
Industry Nine has also confirmed the ending of its sponsorship, and Testa will no longer feature on the US brand’s athlete page. We await a response from the German sales department for further details.
Among the critics of the video are some of the very athletes who participated in the event. Notably, Veronique Sandler, who secured fifth place at this year’s Rampage, expressed her outrage on Instagram:
I have a lot to say about this but in short this is so gross … a pro rider making a video objectifying the women that rode at Rampage for the first time in history, by rating them on their looks and bodies. […] How these guys are making a vid like this in 2024 is a madness … check yourselves!
Veronique Sandler, Red Bull Rampage participant
Vero Sandler is from New Zealand but has been based in Wales for years, making her own jumps there. – So she had no problems with this part of Rampage week. | Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool
Reaction from Torquato Testa
In response to the controversy, Torquato Testa quickly removed the video and issued an apology, but his attempt to mitigate the situation fell flat amid the overwhelming outrage:
Video removed to avoid misunderstandings! The video was made to introduce Italians to the women at Rampage! I like trying different things on YouTube and probably the bike community isn’t ready for that kind of content yet! I’m sorry if some of the women felt disrespected, that wasn’t my goal!
Torquato Testa on Instagram
Following the termination of his sponsorships, Testa shared his thoughts in a candid Instagram story:
I learned a big lesson from what happened to me: in recent years I have grown a lot, enhanced my image and helped bring MTB to Italy where it has never been before. I have always seen everyone as my friend without judging anyone.
Then I made a mistake. From that moment on, all the hatred, the repressed anger, the envy, the jealousy, the desire to destroy myself, which many have always carried within themselves but never found the opportunity to show, came to the fore. This mistake showed me what the real world of MTB looks like. Ready to shame you, destroy you, make you feel like shit, ready to throw you in the trash and forget everything you’ve done in 14 years of dedication to MTB.
Torquato Testa
Screenshot from Instagram
All this hate made me think and made me lose interest in this world. I like cycling, but I don’t like the world around it. In Italy I already felt valued thanks to the wonderful community we have created over the years, but unfortunately not abroad.
Torquato Testa
What do you think about the Torquato Testa controversy and the reactions of sponsors?
Source: Instagram posts from various athletes | Photos: Bartek Wolinski / Red Bull Content Pool, screenshot Instagram Torquato Testa
Bicycle Blue Book value
Ifferent types of content but clearly, this type of content is not what the bike community is ready for yet. I apologize to anyone who felt offended!”
His attempt at justification, however, felt hollow and insincere to many. Addressing the issue of objectification in sports, especially in a year that celebrated inclusivity and progression for female athletes, seemed to be lost on him. Acknowledging his apparent misstep, it’s crucial that Testa and others in the influencer sphere recognize that their platforms can significantly impact cultural perceptions, particularly in sports that have often marginalized women’s contributions.
Broader Implications For The Community
The situation has sparked deeper conversations within the mountain biking community regarding the treatment of female athletes and the standards of content creation. Many advocates argue that this incident isn’t just about one individual’s lapse in judgment but a reflection of broader attitudes that need to be challenged and changed. The hope is that this uproar leads to a more respectful and supportive culture around women in sports.
This entire episode serves as a stark reminder of the evolving expectations of athletes and creators alike. As the spotlight grows brighter on female athletes in traditionally male-dominated sports, the community is called to embrace inclusivity and respect above all. The figures and brands within this space must ensure that their platforms uplift rather than objectify, propelling the conversation forward rather than falling back into outdated notions of competition.
Conclusion: A Call For Change
In the wake of this controversy, there’s an opportunity for growth and understanding. The incident with Torquato Testa should inspire an overhaul in how content around female athletes is created and discussed. With the momentum for gender equality growing, it is critical that all involved recognize the importance of dialogue that highlights athletes’ skills and contributions, rather than reducing them to their physical appearance.
It is time for a shift—a culture in mountain biking that emphasizes respect and camaraderie while celebrating the incredible talents of all its athletes. As more voices join this call for positive change, here’s hoping the MTB community will rally to create a more inclusive and supportive environment moving forward. What are your thoughts on this issue? Let’s keep the conversation going!
