Introducing Éclat, a fresh new component brand from the creative forces behind wethepeople bike company. Based at wethepeople's international headquarters in Cologne, Germany, Éclat will exist as a separate entity, manufacturing an innovative collection of seats, brakes, grips, hubs, rims, tires, pedals and brake levers, with plans to expand coming further this year. To begin, Éclat will be represented by Portland, Oregon's Chester Blacksmith and the UK's Ashley Charles, with the initial collection of components arriving to retailers by late summer of 2008. 

The new signature frame of Jeff Klugiewicz is the first full heat treatment Mankind frame. This full heat treatment makes the Forward frame ultra light (2,05kg/4,48lb) and very strong at the same time. Further it features the new Archangel Integrated Seatclamp and a Baseball Glove Bridge on the chain stays of Jeff K`s favourite ball team. The Forward frame comes with and without u-mounts. Lengths are 20,5tt, 20,8tt and 21,1tt. Colours: pearl red/brown, metallic coffee, matt black, white, silver/chrom. 

It is possible now to register for the Braun CuZer tour. 25.000 Euros will be given out in this year's series. For you Americans, that's currently over $ 38.000,= USD for a three stop spine tour. Each event will award a total of 5.000 Euro and in addition the overall ranking will offer a total of 10.000 EUR. This year the two best scores out of the three contests count meaning you can go for an overall ranking with only doing two stops. Now show me them comps:

Steve McCann and Simon Tabron did another write up for the Mongoose site to tell everyone who wants to know. McCann is putting a new bike together that is even brighter than the orange one he rode in 2007. Simon is riding for Steaz now. If you have never heard of Steaz, you can find out by checking his link below:

After several months of development the Hoffman crew has launched a new Hoffman Bikes website. The site is a collaboration between Hoffman Bikes art director, Christie Owen and Seventies web & graphic designer, Elwood Ruffle. Together, they created a clean and easy to navigate site with unique functionality. The new site features Flash animations, new team and product pages and an added team blog page which is managed by the team. 

DC has added Daniel Dhers to its elite BMX team. Daniel said: "Being on DC is a crazy experience. I'm good friends with everyone on the team and I'm so excited and happy to have the opportunity to ride for a brand that I really believe in. We have an opprtunity to do some great things together in the future."

Some riders hit the BMX scene and surprise everyone. Daniel straight up exploded onto the scene. Growing up in Venezuela, his riding was disrupted by skate park closures, family moves, and other distractions as a youngster. In response, Daniel made the trek north to Woodward Camp in Pennsylvania in 2004 in search of an atmosphere more conducive to BMX riding. After two summers learning in the foam pits, resi ramps, and terrain at Camp, he hit the Park contest circuit in 2006, instantly finding success. Three Dew Tour podiums, a bronze medal at X Games 12, and a Bronze at Asian X was followed by more Dew Tour podiums, a Gold at X-Games 13, and a Gold at 2007's Asian X. Daniel has become an instant contest threat.

We've been complaining about the shitty weather but in fact we should not be worrying too much because there is an indoor facility nearby that has a BMX track complete with professional starting gate that you can operate yourself, some new trails in the back corner, a giant foampit, some little ramps for kids to play around on and also some very decent ramps which includes a wide quarterpipe on one side, a jump box/spine in the middle and an unusual quarterpipe construction on the other side. Well, that's a quick description of the hall but of course there is more to it. Zonto is the main force behind the project and his old school roots show in the multiple bikes that are on display on the counter. The entry fee for a session are held low and although we have not been there lots (yet), the times we were there it was rather packed. There's a fleet of Redline bikes available for rent and also full face helmets. Last Saturday a group of girls, which I'm guessing were 12-13, stopped by to ride the BMX track on the rented equipment. The dark and dusty halls (two of them connected to eachother) make for an okay playground and it's BMX only, no skateboarding.

Hot to Drop. The Nike 6.0 Summer ‘08 catalog is online with a fresh batch of footwear, apparel, and accessories to boot. New to the range is the Air Mogan Mid, designed with input from the 6.0 athletes who called for increased ankle support without compromising the Mogan’s famously wearable and stylish feel. The result? A dope mid-top with performance features that include a juiced up encapsulated air bag to cushion landings and a removable ankle strap for support and full fashion flair.

The Air Mogan Mid is launching this summer in three color-ways.
MSRP: $ 73

25 March 1978 - Mike Ardelean
25 March 1972 - Mike Vincent
30 March 1969 - Bart de Jong

It's a rather big video but if you want to see the Colony team shred in the USA than you've got to be a little patient. Clint Millar has picked a good bunch of riders and you'll agree after seeing the clip that he just sent over.

How nice would it be to just bring the good news. Unfortunately that's not the case. This came in through Mike Vincent's uncle. Keep showing your support. It is now DAY 61 and Mike has been transferred to Rancho Los Amigos Rehabilitation Center in Downey, CA. He receives intense physical therapy and the staff is wonderful.

Results of the 2008 Moora Cup:

-Best dirt rider: Mark Vos
-Nicest bike: Jeroen Burgstad
-Best BMX Jam: FSO Jam
-Best dirt spot: 020 Trails
-Lifetime achievement award: James Alberto
-Best indoor BMX park: Everland Amsterdam
-Best video footage: Vladdie de Koning
-Best rookie street: Virgil Persat
-Best Brookie flatland: Erik Hogers
-Best park rider: Barry Kohne
-Best flatland rider: Sytse Winkel
-Best street rider: Mark Vos

You've got two possibilities to ride with the VANS pros in a private session. One will be held in California and the other one will be held at the Vans park in Florida. Here's the full scoop.
Vans Skatepark CA. March 31 & April 1, 2008. Vans Pro BMX riders Cory Nastazio, Gary Young, Robbie Morales and Chase Hawk

The legal graffiti spot in Eindhoven brings lots of artists down there. When we checked for new pieces last time we met up with a guy from Amersfoort who seemed totally into the scene. He knew the guys, has done his pieces and had the answers ready. For him to take a 90 minute trainride plus a 15 minute walk on a rainy Saturday morning to empty a couple of cans on a wall shows the importance of the Berenkuil spot. Find part one of the latest 2008 pieces here. The next eleven will follow later.