The annual Simple Session in Tallinn, Estonia brings a big part of the BMX Freestyle community together for the first big gathering of the year. During the cost and wet winter months when outdoor riding is rough, simply not a lot of (outdoor) events take place. Seeing the BMX family again for the first time in the new year has always been a big part of Simple Session. The Thursday ice hockey match between BMX and Skateboarding was lost for the first time. It definitely had something to do with Reed Stark arriving a couple of hours late. He was gutted he missed it and so was any BMX-er who was watching the game. Yes, it's all about the good time, but winning makes the good time even better. Let's get that win back in 2020 when Simple Session hits its 20th B-day.
With two days of practice split by Skateboarding and BMX the riders had some time getting used to the Nate Wessel designed course. It had a Street as well as a Park section but riders could use whatever they felt like so there was no line splitting the course in two. Still, Street riders were expected to hit up the rails/ledges/flatbanks and the Park riders used the big jump, quarters and spines on the other side. All was linked up well and if you did not find anything to your liking you should take up flatland riding instead.
After missing his bike on arrival things didn't look too great for Matt Ray (USA). Thursday's practice session was missed but on Friday the baby was back and Matt got used to the course quickly to win
The 19th edition of the annual Simple Session contest went down this weekend, February 2 – 3 at the Saku Arena in Tallinn, Estonia. The main contests hosted 150 athletes from 30 countries: 60 in Pro Skateboarding, 50 in Pro BMX Street and 40 in BMX Park. The Qualifications went down on Saturday and Finals on Sunday, with 12 top Qualifiers competing for the medals.
In BMX Street, Felix Prangenberg GER (Wethepeople) finished with the highest score, Matt Ray USA (Subrosa) was second, and Justin Spriet USA (Fit Bike Co) was third. Johnny Raekes USA (Fiend BMX) pulled the BMX Street Best Trick, which was a tooth hanger over pegs hard 180 crankflip.
Finalists are known. Check who made it to the 2019 Simple Session BMX Park and Street finals.
And the finalists are......#simplesession19. Watch the finals live on FATBMX on Sunday 3 February 2019.
BMX Street TOP qualifiers:
1. Matt Ray USA
2. Felix Prangenberg GER
3. Courage Adams ESP
4. Mark Burnett USA
5. Broc Raiford USA
6. Bruno Hoffmann
7. Anthony Perrin FRA
8. Justin Spriet USA
9. Alex Kennedy GBR
10. Jiri Blabol CZE
11. Lewis Mills AUS
12. Max Chuprina RUS
BMX Park TOP 12 qualifiers:
1. Irek Rizaev RUS
2. Rim Nakamura JPN
What’s the best way to conquer a lifelong fear of heights? For Scottish BMX star Kriss Kyle, throwing yourself out of a helicopter is one way of doing it. The unique attempt is the first in riders’ latest edit which sees him turn the unique architecture of Dubai into a giant BMX park. Opening with a huge cityscape shot, we see Kriss leaning out of a helicopter as he approaches the iconic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah hotel, one of the world’s tallest hotels and most unique buildings. We then see him jumping 14 feet from the helicopter – 720 feet up – and onto a helipad on top of the hotel, before immediately tackling a second equally daring drop and heading into the building itself.
Kriss then makes his way throughout Dubai, which sees him flying down the twisting slides of the Wild
Monster Energy congratulates Pat Casey on his victory and teammate Andy Buckworth on taking second place at the first stop of the Toyota BMX Triple Challenge. Casey’s incredible riding put him a notch above a stacked field of riders at the very first BMX event of the year. The first stop of the three-stop series, the Toyota BMX Triple Challenge takes place during select Monster Energy Supercross events and is at the forefront of the progression in BMX. The Anaheim event is a two jump, no apologies trick event that appeals to both the best riders in the world and up-and-comers who are looking to make a name for themselves.
Four straight days of rain prior to the event put strain on the construction crew, but two pristine (albeit
Round 1 of the 2019 Toyota Triple Challenge took place in Anaheim, CA last weekend. It's a win-win situation as the event is held at the Supercross series so even if you don't make the podium, you still get to see some awesome supercross racing. Check the results to see who did grab the medals and the big checks in Anaheim.
Dirt Results Finals:
1. Pat Casey
2. Andy Buckworth
Toyota BMX Triple Challenge Anaheim, California. Qualifications results of Stop 1.
1) Andy Buckworth (AUS)
2) Alex Landeros (USA)
3) Pat Casey (USA)
4) Peyton Wessells (USA)
5) Jaie Toohey (AUS)
6) Leandro Overall (BRA)
7) Colton Walker (USA)
8) Brandon Loupos (AUS)
9) Brian Fox (USA)
10) Cory Nastazio (USA)
Event: 2019 Jam
Location: Skateland Rotterdam, Netherlands
Sponsors: Paulsboutique BMX, KASKON it, Skateland Rotterdam and DTX13
Participants: BMX and MTB
Lost of things are happening in the BMX scene right now and, as always, everybody has an opinion about what direction BMX Freestyle has to go…. Well this story will stay away from that discussion and will focus on why we (people with passion for the sport) wanted to start 2019 with a Bang and a Jam! Our beloved sport is coming from an all-time low and we noticed new faces popping up at the locals and commercial parks. Also it was time to get the scene together as a whole, no more politics but sharing the passion we all have for 16” up till 26”wheels, as one! We needed an indoor location where all types of riding could take place (except Dirt, but another JunkieJam will happen this year). Not only park rats needed to come out but also street riders needed to be attracted. Skateland Rotterdam has for all these riders obstacles they like to shred so we got in touch with them and without hesitation they agreed to open up their park for this event and even stepped up to the plate to make the entry free for all the riders. Because time and budget was limited we needed people to people to help us for free…
Stuart Gibson, Desmond Tessemaker and myself (Albert Moonen) went to our personal friends to
Making it on the riders list for Simple Session 2019 is already a win. The Park and Street riders have been announced and the talent in both classes is deep. The Saku Arena will be the place to be from 2-3 February 2019 so if you haven't booked your travel yet, today is the day to do it. Look at the list of riders below, we're sure you don't want to miss this crew ride live in Tallinn, Estonia.
BMX PARK
Alex Hiam AUS
Kenneth Tencio CRI
Roomet Säälik EST
Kostya Andreev RUS
Kevin Peraza MEX
Dan Foley USA
Victor Peraza MEX
Irek Rizaev RUS
Jonathan Camacho ECU
Justin Dowell USA
Rim Nakamura JPN
Paul Thölen GER
Andres Lainevool EST
The USA Cycling Board of Directors has named Rob DeMartini as president and chief executive officer of USA Cycling. DeMartini joins the organization from New Balance Athletics, Inc. where he spent the last 12 years as president and CEO. He will begin his new position in February 2019. “Our entire Board and management team enthusiastically welcome Rob as our new CEO. His passion and ambition for both the future of USA Cycling and our sport is inspiring. He also brings the proven leadership, commercial skills and resources to elevate USA Cycling and to do more for our members, partners and athletes,” said Bob Stapleton, USA Cycling Chairman of the Board.
During his time at New Balance, DeMartini accomplished one of the highest periods of growth in the athletic footwear and apparel industry, driving the company from $1.5 billion annual revenue in 2007 to $4.4 billion in 2018. He led the expansion of international sales and guided the brand as it regained its position as a leader in specialty running while also focusing on cultivating company culture.
“As I join USA Cycling, I look forward to working closely with Chuck Hodge (chief of racing and events)
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.