Neat inside sideglide pivot sideglide pivot to halfpacker at end.

FU5 Flatland Contest Teaser from daniel caruso on Vimeo.

Based on current form, what ive seen on video, etc.. Heres my top five for Ninja spin this weekend. The ninja spin guys are already taking bets on this, should be interesting weekend, lets hope for some new tricks!!!

1- Justin Miller.
2- Martti Kuoppa.
3- Adam Kun.
4- Matthias Dandois.
5- Raphael Chiquet.

What are your predictions? Comment below..

Pro finals
1 Justin Miller
2 Matthias Dandois
3 Shintaro Misawa
4 Dominik Nekolny
5 Dane Beardsley
6 Cory Fester
7 Jeff Desroche
8 Lachlan Cameron

Expert

1 Percy Marshall
2 JW Provost
3 Adam Pergentile
4 Adrian Furniss
5 Luke Malone
6 Bryan Huffman
7 Prasheel Gopal
8 Paul Igwe
9 Alex Porier
10 Rob Shaw

Congrats to Justin and Percy for winning their respective groups, no doubt videos up soon…

1. Jean-William Provost
2. Percy Marshall
3. Luke Malone
4. Bryan Huffman
5. Adam Pergentile
6. Alex Porier
7. Rob Shaw
8. Paul Igwe
9. Adrian Furniss
10. Prasheel Gopal

(Top ten make final)

11. Avram Moorey
12. Billy Gordon
13. Dimitri Koupyiynov
14. Josh Ducharne
15. Roy deGuzman
16. Andrew Wylie
17. Jesse Hefferon
18. Joey Kyllo
19. Will Wolffe
20. Andrew Parish
21. Nick Vaes
22. Geoff Inwood
23. Dougald Cameron
24. Steve Lapsley
25. Eugene 32t Barkley
26. Christian Boodram
27. Addison Moore

Pro today…

Photos and text contributed by KP.
Frame: Zion low-kee real happy with how it all turned out, I got a couple prototypes when i was testing it, gave 1 to my mate lee, and 1 to lee musselwhite, they both love them too
Bars: cirrus bars i like the higher rise and 2 peice
Grips: some crappy grips that I stole off a saracen mtb
Stem:bizhouse as it so short, I think I’ve had this for over 5 years now!
Wheels: khe geisha 32’s, I really had my doubts about running these cuz I thought they would break, but they hold up well and really light.
Crank: khe 2 peice, simple and less bolts to do up.
Chainring:zion
Pedals: I’ve had the same Odyssey plastic pedals for 6 years and there still going strong!
Tyres: Comet on front, and Frequency g on back,tried one of them P lyte things other day thats pretty good too.
Seat: One of them watanabe things, its actually uncomfortable to sit on haha but doesnt wear when it scrapes the floor and its lasted a long time so its good.
Pegs: metal tantra pegs on front, plastic alchemy pegs on back, I like having the plastic 1s on the back especially when i ride indoors and my bike falls down it doesnt mess up the floor.

Tell me about your bike Keelan?-
Back in the day i used to break parts all the time, but I think(hope) i’m a little smoother these days , and once you go a bit lighter you want to go more and more lighter, so I now run 32 spoke wheels front and back, and plastic pegs on the back too,ive also got 8 inch rise cirrus bars now, I prefer the higher bars alot,some tricks feel weird when i put them on but overall I think i get a bit more bike control with higher bars, also I cant ride anything but a comet on the front, I have to have that tyre,anything else and I cant ride properly,and I change the colour every couple months,think im gonna go back to chrome plated soon, you cant beat that colour!
I noticed a few holes on your bike,influence from James White there?
Haha james bike looks stupid light, when i got my frame i had to test it and ride it hard,and i wanted it slightly lighter but still to keep the strength, so i drilled holes in the seattube, bb and headtube, to lose a bit of weight and to see if it would crack or bend under pressure (and it didnt!), so when the final frames were made, we could make the seatube , bb and headtube slightly thinner and lighter knowing the strength is still there.

I know you’ve always like the straight tubed frame and 2 piece bars why is that?
I’m not saying i dont like bendy or cross tubes frames, i just like my bike to look normal! bmx back the day was simple, normal looking frame and 2 peice bars, thats how i think a bmx should be, so you can differ on weight,angles lengths etc, but in no way do i feel a straight tubed frame makes riding any harder, I just prefer the look of it,and I think part of it may be down to my cousin and loads of mates are street riders,and they would take this piss.
Whats your plans for this year then?
Keep myself busy doing shows with musselwhite, keep filming new tricks, I also wanna get back into comps this year,problem is sometimes it can be expensive to get around to them, but definitely wanna go to a few this year for sure.

I think flat misses the day of when Martti used to wallop everyone, and you knew who won, now its so close, you know what I mean?
Please explain. So close..? My thinking is that flat misses the days when lot of guys come over to the comp to bust out in the jam circle in the practice. Many guys and always some new tricks were going on…
By close I mean, any of top guys can win, but back then, if you rode good, you clearly won. But yes jam circles or more maybe just sessions are sorely missed..
Hmm, never thought of it that way…
Why is that?
Soul of flatland is confused at this time.
Which is interesting, because hardly any money in it at the mo, should be more artistic than ever.
Maybe we need totally intense back Martti haha.
True. But also, the level has been raised pretty high. Chase, Kev and few others raised it high long time ago. So many tricks, difficult tricks have been done and it just gets more difficult to be original, so that’s a small issue I believe.
That’s very true, also the reason why contests are so close now…
What was the last contest you went away satisfied with how you rode?
Hmmmmmmm….
Last time I was in a good shape was 2007 KOG finals. I rode really well in practice, non stop freestyle without any mistakes. But then at the comp, not so good.
I cannot remember. That must be year 2002 x games or the worlds
Hehe. I got a breakdown after the x games 2003, because I repeated too many before I went there and ended up getting the last place. Osaka 2005 or 2006 either year
That you rode well?
But the organization of the comp didn’t allow me to go to the next round, because they had to make the sponsors of the comp happy. I rode well in the battle against York. But I lost it. And lot of people in the crowd were booing on the judgment.
KOG?
Yeah. I was bit bitter afterwards to hear the reason for it but I tried to understand.
And do you understand, or will always be one of those things that bugs you?
I just haven’t been able to focus on repeating the combos after 2003. I have been repeating switches but not combos. So, how I freestyle is that I have to have most of the switches under my control and then I just link them together how I feel like it. It is definitely more interesting that combo riding. I hate set combos more than anything.I love and hate riding.
The craziest relation ship of my life has been to a piece of metal. Love and hate. Very extremes..Hehe.

KGB Martti Kuoppa Freestyle 2007 Japan from inTRIKat on Vimeo.

I can understand you changing your style, after everything that’s happened. Its a love hate relationship. So many highs and lows.
I have been going through a lot regarding this issue and it is not an easy thing to handle. But I am working on it all the time and digesting slowly what, why, how and where…
But it’s also been the best relationship of my life the only one that lasts, hehe.
I cant even imagine Martti, for a rider such as yourself that’s paved the way. I don’t think a lot off riders understand the work ethic that goes into being that rider at the top
I cannot get rid of it no matter how much I want sometimes.
Still have a big urge to compete?
It come and goes. Really depends on my mood of day. As I have told before that I got really sick physically because of stressing about the comps I cannot really go into that mindset. Just because the physical sickness gets me down, or it can get me down. I have to be easy on my thoughts, relax, and work on a lot how to relax.
Yeah, you looked like you had a lot of fun in the best trick last year at masters?
Hmmm. probably still drunk. shit.. damn, but yeah, it was fun.
I know a lot of people were stoked when you casually dropped that blender
They just need to do something about the floor at the masters. First it is good then the contest day it is so dusty that it is difficult to do a funky chicken there as far as scuffing goes.Hehe. Legendary blender. which wasn’t named by blender by me.
That is a name from Mark Losey. I named it the spinning unicycle in the first place.
Interesting, yeah blender was originally spinning steamroller from Ross Smith,long time ago.
Effraim flat anorak comes out ha-ha
Some flatland knowledge that no one knows about, whaaaaaaattttt???
Like Nerd that I know that
ha-ha..
I thought that original blender was x footed circle K.
Was that one to, so many same names for tricks.
True.
What are your plans for this year?
Whats going on with kgb?
Right now everything seems to be open.
And your working in bike shop? is that full time? KGB parts in there?
I told my sponsor end of last year that I won´t be competing and they cut off my budget. Then I change my mind and I told them okay, I will do 5 -7 comps. So right now they are thinking about it and so on.
That Red Bull?
Yeah, right now I am working. Not sure how long I will be working there, but I am sort of searching what to do when I grow up, hehe. I take things as they come to me. I am just being patient to see. Of course I would like to continue pro life as a flatlander but only if my sponsors are supporting me enough to get by in that world. if not, then I just do something else to get the food on the table. as simple as I can express it.
Yeah true enough, So right now I am open to anything. work, riding, move out from Finland,. Maybe I move to Tenerife and rent some beach chairs and sell ice cream on the beach.
See yourself down in Madrid with Viki?
That’s one possibility.
Ok Martti lets close this we could talk for days already been hour and a half, with couple of light hearted favourite lists
Five people you’d love to start competing again?
What do you mean? Five people I would like to see competing again?
Oh and one question I forgot, many riders over the years pop in a tape of you to get motivation, what do you look at?
I look at smart moves. Not necessarily difficulty, but I admire smartness in moves. Like afterwards you think like “why the hell I didn’t think of that because it is easy and it is just right there” that is purity of originality
Yeah
Andrew Faris
Day Smith
You mentioned about jam circles, sessions back in the day, got me thinking about old faces, seemed to be lot more mutual respect back then…
Jason Brown
Trevor Meyer
Edgar Placencia.
Interesting list, lot of respect for the old guard.
Drinks of choice Martti, top five?
Straight Whisky no rocks
Beer
Whisky with cola
Cherry vodka.
any final thanks martti
Hey. Thanks again Effraim!! Talk to you later!
Thanks to all the riders out there showing your support to the pro riders and others. Thanks to good people and everyone who ever gave me the helping hand on the way!!Yes. Indeed!
Thanks for the continued inspiration since 96!!
Respect
word!

Lil clip from Martti on Jason Brown’s “5 combos” video.

Since 1996 Martti Kuoppa has helped progress modern day flatland more than pretty much any other rider both in contest riding, and infamous video parts on the intrikat videos, solo dvds (moments), and Impulsivity (the new kgb video). How does someone who contributes so much to the sport handle the high and lows, how can Martti match what hes doing on video? , I wanted to ask Martti about the struggles, to dig beneath the surface of a flatland genius. This is the first part of two part flatchat, enjoy.

So Martti the kgb video came out a while back, and you reached yet another level, how do you find it starting to ride again after dropping such a banging video?
What happened with that project was that I went to Thailand and I filmed my new stuff there. Then right after I went to Madrid to film all the whiplashes because it was already winter in Helsinki. So, I finished whiplashes and went home and started waiting Viki to finish his stuff. So basically I put that material aside, tried to be satisfied and continue riding. Then the video just came out like 3 months ago to my house and I have watched it only 3 times so far…
Just for the fact that yes, right now as it is winter and I cannot ride as much as I would like to I cannot top that level, or even think about it…
Were you happy with how it turned out?
Yes. Only trick I am bummed is that hitchhiker flip that I don´t continue rolling, but that is my next goal. I will pull it with a nice roll.
Yeah, thats gotta be so tough. I would imagine a lot of takes just for that one?
About 1500. With the video parts and everything regarding my riding I got to push myself a little to be satisfied. Otherwise, I just keep thinking I could do it better and better. But I have to draw the line somewhere, otherwise I loose my mind and it´s been pretty damn close to that already.
Haha, just a few. Would you say you have to be obsessive about flatland to be great at it?I mean you have put so much into flatland, I remember when I first saw you in Koln 96
I don´t suggest to be obsessive person. Flatland and the repeats of tricks made me obsessive person and it affects my life sometimes..13 years went very fast Effraim…Damn
Since 96 you have contributed so much, both with videos and contest riding, more than any other rider I’d suggest, now you help run a company, but its far from glamorous life, that must be hard..
Yeah. It is not like a real superstar athlete in flatland. But, I chose my way, I had faith into flatland and passion. I chose to live flatland life which gives sometimes some problems, but also it gave me many good experiences.
I always remember that time in Raliegh NC when you went out filming so early right after landing, you filmed almost whole part with Chad (Infinite pieces), I think those were the best days of flat, by that I mean, flat was highly progressive, and the riders earnt decent with x games and stuff..
And I went to ride and pull all my tricks 5 o´clock in the morning before to catch up the 8 o´clock flight to America. Obsessions… But yeah, I do miss those days somehow..

I guess you had something to prove back then.
What’s the motivation now when you proved everything?
Yeah. I wanted to see where I can go with my skills, it varies. I am scared to catch that obsessive way of thinking of repeats. I simply cannot repeat my tricks, or try to make them super dialed, because then I just feel like leaving my spot.
I can imagine that! Watching the kgb dvd gave me the feeeling that “this is whats been mising from flat for last few years”…
So those crazy days at the comps for me was a prove. I prove that with enough of repeats in hard circumstanses I can be very consistent rider with difficult tricks. I don´t want to prove it again, plus, young Martti was more flexible. Haha.
Yes i remember so many crazy reflex saves you made over the years..
But the old Martti is more flexible in the head.Will power..
It is about how much you really want to pull it off. You have to really believe in back of your mind that you can stay on your bike no matter what even you are about to crash.
You can make pretty nice saves with that attitude, maybe that kind of riding don´t look so stylish, but what counts, pull the trick or not.

KGB Martti Kuoppa Freestyle 2007 Thailand 2 from inTRIKat on Vimeo.

That hang five no hands jump to crackpacker springs to mind.Determination to make it happen
That is the best trick of my life, ever, I would say..
I want to see someone pulling that one off or give it a try, hehe sorry for my cocky attitude..
There’s that guy in France (mika), but he’s in doing it in circle, slightly different technique, still awesome though!
Yours was pretty much straight i’d suggest thats much harder.
damn hehe
Even still that trick for the most part has been untouched for years, that must be satisfying..
But actually, I wouldn’t say it is the best trick of mine. All the tricks are different and therefore it is stupid to compare. They are difficult on their own way.
Years on, that’s still a video trick, I dont see anyone dropping that in a contest.
Sure, That was year 2000.
Amazing, on the green quamen, some have called that your most creative period?
For me the best trick I have seen in flatland in general is Chases double brakeless rolaid.
2000 – 2002 I believe that I came up with new style.
Yes I did some good money. fast come fast go..
Much partying back then?
Too many stupid things in my life, I guess it all started around those times. Afterwards I understand why and so on, but I don’t regret a thing. It’s my artistic side that is in control for many of my actions.
That’s awesome. I guess also when you won the worlds in Köln, that must have been a highlight
I blame on that. hehe
I remember you saying you wanted the world title
That was. I am still proud to say that I have won the world champion title. Which I will again this year in Köln. Hehe.
I sense your joking, but I think you could, depends on your mindset..
True. Half of me is joking and half of me is thinking, hmmm, 5 more months is enough to get in good shape with tricks. And I know that I don’t necessarily need to learn any new tricks, because I can open the suitcase of tricks I already have and choose the good ones and dial them in.

(more flatchat to follow tommorrow)

Due to the clash of dates with the Worlds in Koln (July11-12), this year the organisers have taken decision to drop flatland from the events happening that weekend in Shepton Mallet. (Was a great contest last year-if lil small on turnout). There is a chance of some other event later in the year, but thats way off yet, will keep you posted. See you at the Worlds!

NASS 08 AM BMX FLATLAND from TGM Maz on Vimeo.
NASS 08 PRO BMX FLATLAND from TGM Maz on Vimeo.

Just found this on the snafu website, good how to video for beginners (lil old if anything), somewhat bizarrely kickflip steamroller is on there :).
Beginners enjoy, get motivated, get out there trying!! Any beginners reading this comment back on what you thought of the video, is this kind of video helpful or not?