News: BMX WORLDS 2012: Constant rain stops finals on Sunday

Constant rain forced the organizers of the BMX WORLDS 2012 (July 13-15) to cancel the final day. After the program of the official BMX Freestyle world championships was continually interrupted by heavy rain showers the previous two days, organizer Stephan Prantl and his team announced the cancellation on Sunday afternoon. More than 400 pros and amateurs from around the world had gathered at the Kölner Jugendpark, to fight for the titles of World Champion in the disciplines of Flatland, Park, Street and Vert. No finals could be held in Park and Vert. The new world champions in the other disciplines were crowned on Saturday. In the coming year, the most important BMX Festival will once again take place at the Kölner Jugendpark fom July 12-14. 

„Despite the bad conditions, our team did great work and we were able to hold more than half of the disciplines. Unfortunately we had to give in to the bad weather this weekend and break off the event. After all our work the last few days, in which our team did everything it could against the rain, in the end there was just nothing else to do,“ said the disappointed event organizer Stephan Prantl, who has successfully organized BMX contests in the Kölner Jugendpark for 28 years. „I feel sorry most of all for our loyal BMX fans, who have come from all over the world. But at least they were rewarded for all of the difficulties with some spectacular finals on Saturday.“

Heavy rain and spectacular tricks on flying bikes ruled the BMX WORLDS for two days. The experienced organization team had done all it could, with brooms, sweeping machines and gas burners to try and keep dry the street and park courses, which had taken three weeks of hard work to build, as well as the flatland course in the heart of the park. Only the Dirt riders, who could work on the 600 tons of earth and the up to six-meter high ramps, didn't have to worry about the rain, and protected by the Zoo Bridge, presented the enthusiatic fans with spectacular jumps and tricks.

In the Street discipline, German pro Bruno Hoffoman took the trophy at the BMX WORLDS. He won the title ahead of American Glen Salyers and Swede Adrian Malmberg.

The pro Dirt competition, in which the BMX acrobats jump over the carefully created mounds of dirt and present their tricks in breathtaking heights, was dominated by riders from overseas. No German made it to the finale. Eight riders from the USA finished in the top ten. But the World Champion was the favourite, Australian Kyle Baldock, who together with his countryman Andy Buckworth, who finished third, stole the show from the Americans under the Zoo Bridge. The only American on the podium was Brandon Dosch, who finished second.

The Flatland pro competition, in which the riders perform special trick combinations to music and rhythm, was won by Matthias Dandois (France) ahead of Dominik Nekolny (Czech) and Dez Maarsen (Netherlands).

The BMX fans also saw a fantastic show on Saturday from the „old guys“ around ex-superstar Bob Haro at the HARO Oldschool show. The former pros gathered here especially at the BMX WORLDS on the Rhine to present the legendary tricks of the last 25 year on the Flatland course one last time. „It was great to see the guys riding together again,“ said organizer Stephan Prantl, happy with the appearance of his former colleagues, who have put their stamp on BMX sport for the last quarter century. „Even a few of the active riders were astounded.“