MTB's Visorless Hypeman

Ever watched an MTB video and thought “why is that dude the only rider not wearing a visor on his helmet?”

Well that dude is Nicholi Rogatkin, one of action sport’s biggest rockstars.

The 29-year-old mountain biker’s quirky helmet setup is far from the only thing that differentiates him and we dove into his story.

Born in Boston in 1995, Rogatkin grew up as a BMX prodigy before making the jump to mountain biking. The transition wasn’t smooth—his loose, unpredictable riding that lacked “steeze” clashed with slopestyle’s polished aesthetic. But he wasn’t there to fit in; he arrived on the scene to push boundaries.

Rise To Stardom

Rogatkin hit the FMB World Tour in 2014, flipping and spinning harder than anyone before him. Then, in 2017, he changed MTB history at the Red Bull District Ride in Nuremberg, landing the first-ever 1440—four full rotations. The crowd erupted. The sport had never seen anything like it.

But his biggest moment came in 2018 when he secured the elusive Crankworx Triple Crown. After winning in Innsbruck and Les Gets, all eyes were on Whistler. His first run wasn’t enough, but on his second? He threw down his signature Twister, stomped every landing, and secured his place in history—the first rider ever to claim the Slopestyle triple crown.

Built Different

If one moment defines Rogatkin’s toughness, it’s his 2015 Red Bull Rampage crash. Mid-run, he got tossed off his bike, free fell off a cliff, slammed into the dirt—then got up and sent the next feature like nothing happened.

His progression doesn’t come by chance. He’s spent years training with custom-built airbag setups, dialing in tricks no one else dares to try. More recently, he’s teamed up with slopestyle legend Greg Watts to build the Rogatkin Compound, a next-level training ground designed to push the sport forward.

More Than Just Tricks

Beyond contests, Rogatkin is the ultimate showman. Whether hyping up the crowd at Master of Dirt or firing up the finish corral, his energy is unmatched. That’s why they call him the Hypeman—he’s always the loudest, always fueling the stoke.

And when the sport needs a voice, he steps up. He was a leader during the 2024 Crankworx Rotorua rider boycott and has been a vocal supporter of women’s slopestyle. His impact goes beyond the bike—he’s shaping the future of the sport.

Pushing The Limits

Lately, Rogatkin’s been expanding beyond slopestyle, tackling freeride beasts like Darkfest and Natural Selection Bike. No judges, no scores—just massive jumps, gnarly lines, and pure progression.

Whether stomping world-firsts, hyping the crowd, or standing up for the sport, one thing’s certain: MTB wouldn’t be the same without him.