Great edit from the Haro Bikes japanese tour which of course took them to the Red Bull Circle of Balance in Kyoto, lil’ Matthias Dandois footage in this one, as well as some damn good park, street, trails, and fun times. When you’ve got some time to kill this is well worth a watch!
Tag Archives: Red Bull Circle of Balance
Mike S’s Red Bull Circle of Balance Flickr Gallery
Some amazing shots from the Red Bull Circle of Balance in Kyoto, Japan back in September 2012. Hold tight for Mike’s interview dropping this week!
Flatmatters Review 2012 – Part 2!
Text: Effraim.
Part 1 if you missed it: https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatmatters-review-of-2012-part-1
Sit down with a cuppa, OJ or whatever your are drinking this morning or evening, and spare yourself an hour to go through the year 2012, May till August FM style, hit the extensive bibliography for relevent links!
If you already read my Part 1 review of 2012, you will know the format. If not, hit the link above for what you have missed!
Spring was in full mode, perhaps not in England as it rained a lot just for a change, nevertheless the month of May started with some incredible news that I feel helped drive the positive vibes throughout 2012.
We began May with the Posse Up scene deadline and some great edits came in from scenes like LA, Baltimore, and the eventually winner, Athens, Georgia! The concept from the One Love Crew was great, I hope to see much more of this kind of thing in the future.
Also on this day, the trailer for the 430 DVD trailer was released, and certainly wetted the appetite for what was to come from Japan.
On May 2nd, arguably the biggest news of the year was announced. The legendary Red Bull Circle of Balance contest was back, and scheduled for Kyoto, Japan in September. The feel good factor was felt across the flatland world. Events worldwide seemed to gain energy as a result of the news.
Quentin Pelorson released a serious progression edit on May 3rd, this guy really stood out for me in 2012. He may or may not get much credit in broader terms, but right here he earned a ton of respect from me, the spinning ck flip to xft halfpacker in this short clip was no joke at all!
Three days later, Viki Gomez won the Bike Days contest in Switzerland, a contest that seems to be gaining in popularity every year. The podium shot seemed to cause quite a stir here on FM.
On May 7th arguably one of the best contest edits of the year dropped, a little known contest outside of Japan, called the “An Cup” the edit featured back to back hammer combos unedited and totally flawless from Yohei Uchino, Hiroya Morizaki, and Yoshiki Uchino. Remember this one people? Go back and watch this one again!
2012 was quite a year for Jason Plourde, on May 10th Jason released a sweet clip pulling a double footjam decade, a trick he would further explore during the year. On the same day we broke the news that Viki Gomez had just landed a nice sponsorship deal with Levi’s. The good vibes were flowing.
On May 11th I started hyping up one of the most important events on the flatland calendar, the Voodoo jam! The hype began with a whole bunch of interviews with the likes of Mark Kuhlmann, Todd Carter, Bryan Huffman, Ron Monis, and of course Terry Adams and Scott O’Brien (who also had a great interview drop on ESPN on may 18th) , the term “hype” seemed to go down well with the flatland community, and a few days later Dominik Nekolny dropped a savage multiple xfted whiplash combo using the term as a title.
On May 20th Alex Jumelin won the Fise contest in Montpelier, France, before moving countries to the USA. Quite fitting for Alex to win his last contest in his home country. The year kept getting better and better for him.
FlatDev went to new heights last year, one of the best branded events, ton of promotional material, and in my eyes seemed to stand out from the pack in terms of professionalism. Edit after edit, interviews, qualifying videos, and perhaps a new standard for events to reach. Hey, if you want to put on a event, you could worse than check out these guys and what they have done. Top marks to the organisers!
Now let it be said, I am a big Hotoke fan, and on May 24th when Jim McKay released the “Hotoke at JomoPro 2012” I was hyped, and the whole flatland community were too. With Jim’s editing and filming skills, and Hotoke’s bike mastery, the edit was a sure winner. Go watch this one again for a sweet reminder. (I wonder how many times I will say that throughout this article).
On May 27th, It’s always amazing to see what Aki is up to, I admire riders who go in their own direction. And Aki’s backwards pumping technique had reached a whole different level with regard to technique and smoothness, I remember hitting the rewind button about five times before I even posted it! That ladies and gentlemen does not happen very often – no offence! Hit the bibliography to watch this one again!
Three days later, Dane Beardsley dropped a monster part for ESPN, teaming up with his good friend Brian Tunney. There were so many combos to marvel at, but the backwards xfted halfpacker to steam stood out to me, not just for how hard that is, but the angle of his foot as he pivoted from the backwards xfted halfpacker to steam, absolutely insane!
The month of May finished off with a really well produced edit from FlatDev (yes that name again!) with Mr Buttery himself, Shintaro Misawa. And lastly but not least, a name we don’t hear from too often from, Travis Collier produced a sweet part for a competition called “My Steaz”.
I feel like we have enough for year already, but we haven’t even got to summer yet!
June started off with the rider list being announced for the Red Bull Circle of Balance in Kyoto, Japan. As usual plenty of discussion about who should and shouldn’t be invited. In the end, there are only 16 spots, somebody is going to be disappointed, it is awesome for flatland the event came back, and I certainly feel like it shaped the second half of the year.
In my eyes and I have no doubt many others, one of the best bits of news came on June 2nd. Chase Gouin making a recovery from his severe illness (hit the bibliography for details) and back riding, with a few photos documented on the Odyssey website. After having three years off his bike, the news Chase was back riding, certainly brought a spring in my step and i’m sure many others.
On the same day, another flatland legend, West Coasts Jesse Puente announced a “originality” contest to win his signature Premuim lagger KHE frame.
On June 4th we continued the “Voodoo jam Hype” with a interview with Prasheel Gopal, and that same day Waldemar Fatkin and Stephan Kornely dropped a Must Watch edit shredding the spot in Koblenz. Good to see that friendship vibe come across, and those guys do it perfectly.
Denes Katona is a name you don’t hear too much of, but sometimes less is more! And in this case that certainly applies right here, everybody knows Denes is one of the best riders on the planet, and visiting good friend Mizo over in Ireland, Denes doesn’t disappoint and delivers some impossible whiplash combinations. Sadly this was the last we heard of Denes from 2012. Hit the bibliography watch this one again!
June of course meant, the Voodoo jam in New Orleans! And a ton of edits came out throughout the month and indeed are still coming out now in January 2013! Check the bibliography for all the best edits, especially Jim McKay’s edit below.
As always Scott O’Brien and Terry Adams put their heart and soul into putting on the best possible event. All eyes were on New Orleans that weekend. As the event wasn’t part of the World Circuit, not all the heavy hitters were there (Matthias Dandois, and Yohei Uchino both previous Voodoo jam winners spring to mind).
In the AM class, Canadian Mark Kuhlmann took the win and immediately turned pro (with reference to Scott O’Brien Flat Web TV interview) this was a great idea!, Mark only just missing the cut on his first attempt. We interviewed Mark shortly after on June 13th, to talk about his Voodoo jam experience. The pralex guys were flying the flag this weekend!
In prelims, Matt Wilhelm threw down to take the top spot into the final battles. In the end, Dominik Nekolny stomped to a first place finish. Why this event, wasn’t part of the World Circuit I have no idea, but that’s a whole different topic!
On the same day as the Voodoo jam, Jason Plourde who had an amazing year dropped a banging “Transformer freestyle” edit, if anyone is going to break into that group of elite riders that place top 5 at every event, Jason could be that guy. Style, speed and aggression in abundance!
Pockets of edits seem to all come in at once, this happened numerous times throughout the year. And on June 14th, two amazing edits from flatland legend Pete Brandt at his second home, the Clocktower in SF and Trevor Oleniuk’s visual diary of the Voodoo Jam swept across every flatland blog and website on the planet.
The end of june wrapped up with entries coming in for Jesse Puente’s originality contest, great edits from Russia, Thomas Noyer, David Nagy and Brazilian riders Lisias Taberelli and Bruno Zebu. Lisias took the win, and collected his frame at the BMX Masters! Congratulations once again Lisias.
July is always a huge month for flatland, edits come in so fast, that at times it is hard to keep up, and quite often last year, I’ve held edits back to give other edits time to be viewed and taken in.
Calvin Tan is one stylish mofo, and July 2nd he dropped a “Must Watch” edit, riding the back wheel in a unique way, his riding style screamed “fun!”, go watch it again for a reminder of what this guy brings to the game.
July 3rd was another good example of the “Pockets of edits” comment I previously made, amazing edits dropped by Gabe Kadmiri, and two from Madrid, the Flatmad crew Part 1 (& Part 2 a few days later) and James Smith teamed up with Viki Gomez to bring you “Lots and found” also filmed in Madrid, needless to say but Viki’s skills are incredible, and when you put them together with James’ filming and editing talents, your onto a winner! July 3rd was a good day!
Two days later and another amazing day for edits, with an absolute treat from The One Love crew with Dane Beardsley, I feel like people are finally coming round to how awesome Dane’s riding really is, and this “Shaka Brah” edit definitely did not disappoint. Sebastian Grubinger stars in a lot of Dane’s videos nowadays, and on this day he teamed up with Tom @ Sevisual to bring you his Heresy “Ascend” bars promo, this was a “Must Watch” edit, Steamboat whiplashes, and whiplash to infront of bars whips and back spring to mind.
A day later, and Aleski Ritsila and Bert Ribul brought another “Must watch” banger edit, two stylish cats with a big future! Really enjoyed how this edit was put together, a definite must go back and watch! Good vibes!
July 9th may well have been the best day for flatland/news edits of the year! Don’t believe me! Check the list, and then go watch them all:
Must watch – Voodoo jam edit by Jim McKay!
Botak Raziff wins Flat Dev 2012! Final Battle edit!
Dez Maarsen/ Michael van deer Krost Summer weekend Session
Hiroya Morisaki wins stop 2 of G Shock Real Toughness
York jam 2012 edit by York Uno
Red Bull COB teaser
Edit overload! And they just kept coming and coming!
The BMX masters is one of the biggest contests on the calendar. Last year it was run as the World Championship, and on July 15th Matthias Dandois took the title that had eluded him for a long time, and added to his list of contest wins. Pretty much winning every event on the planet at some point in his career. The highlights edit dropped a few days later, and as always with the Worlds/BMX masters, this event gets lot more attention and comments than any other edit pretty much.
July 16th was another great day in a list of many last year! Both Alex Jumelin and Sam Foakes dropped banger edits, even though Sam didn’t realise he was having an edit filmed at the Flatmatters jam in Manchester. Flatland is quite nice like that sometimes! Alex continued on his personal rampage, having one of the best years of his long career, both edits and riders have been hugely influential this year.
July 20th was another amazing day for news/edits, kicking things off with Russia winning the Real Toughness contest in Osaka, Jesse Puente signing for Wrung Streetwear, we dropped an exclusive interview with Joe Miller to help hype up Round 2 of the AM FLT series, and two great great edits from the BMX Worlds 2012 by Freedom BMx and Deep BMX!
The next few days were taken up with the news of the return of the legendary Aggro Rag ‘zine and Yohei Uchino continued his winning streak, winning the 2nd round of the World Circuit and looking on course to win the World Circuit title in Berlin…
On July 25th, I dropped an exclusive interview with japanese stylecat, Keisuke Tanigawa, one of my favourite riders currently. Who later went on to win the No runs contest in Saga, japan later in the month.
Over in Austin, Texas, John Yull continued to light the fuse, dropping another Must watch edit for one of his sponsors, Tempest Brand. Flatlanders worldwide were taking notes on his creative foot-jam decade combinations.
The Olympics were in full fever around this time, and a whole load of BMX riders were due to perform at the opening show. Johann Chann teamed up with James White, Jason Forde, TGM Maz, and Keelan Phillips to bring the world a lil’ snippet of their routine as last minute the decision was made to axe the whole BMX show. Quite what effect that show would have had on future generations we will never know.
The month of July ended with flurry of edits, The name Pedro Melo is not heard enough on Flatmatters, so you know when an edit drops, it will be amazing. And his “One too hot hour” was a Must Watch for the flatland community.
Lisias Taberelli dropped an amazing “Outside BMX Worlds” edit, that captured the Koln vibe really well. The Brazilian energy came through loud and clear.
The OG crew put on dope events, and released an amazing trailer for the Offline Sports Game contest in September, this looked like being one of the best events of the year.
Summer holidays in flow, and a busy month for me organising the King of Southsea contest at the end of month. A ton of edits dropped in August and Laszlo Tivadar & Steve Mulder started the month off nicely, with a tasty 5 combos edit and 5 brakeless hanggliders respectively!
The exciting news that the Dew Tour were holding a flatland contest was announced on August 4th, the contest scheduled for August 19th in Ocean City, Maryland was invitational only with 4 riders, Matthias Dandois, Alex Jumelin, Terry Adams, and Matt Wilhelm were confirmed. Another positive for an amazing year for flatland!
A day later JF Boulianne won Round 3 of the AM FLT Circuit, in Anderson Indiana, the contest got rained out, but fortunately there was an indoor spot that looks like a reception area to get the contest done, and the ranking points proved to be hugely important.
On the other side of the world, Yohei Uchino won yet another contest, this time the G Shock Real Toughness event in Sendai, Japan, and along with the World Circuit was looking like he was going to take the G Shock Real Toughness Series also.
On August 7th we returned to these “Pockets of edits” I mentioned earlier, Dylan Worsley’s xft backwards halfpacker clip was a timely reminder, not only that he’s still got it, but that he’s still out there shredding hard, stoked to see this! Jason Plourde, Matt Wilhelm and Dane Beardsley all had Must Watch edits on this day, all totally different styles, which is a good point from the year, 2012 seemed to me to bring more diversity than recent previous years. jason and Matt are both fast paced but yet totally different styles, and Dane’s Cross Country edit in Portland, Oregon was at the opposite end of the scale yet of course equally as hard. Flatland is beautiful!
Three days later, and Jason Plourde was most def on a roll with the multiple decade concept, go back and watch this absolutely hammer short clip!
On August 11th, the King of Ground dropped the Official edit from Round 2. And Naoto Tamaru released this must watch edit that seemed to go underneath the radar, featuring Nauto, Kenshiro Ojma and featured an jaw dropping back wheel combo from Yohei Uchino, two footed death truck to out opposite side backwards peg time machine flip to xft upside down wheelie, absolutely nuts!
August 19th was another great day for flatland. With great edits from the One Love crew, Lisias Taberelli, Prasheel Gopal, and the news that Matthias Dandois won the Dew Tour flatland contest in Ocean City, Maryland!
August 25th was one hell of a busy day for me, actually that whole week was! King of Southsea was in full flow. The FM house was full of riders, Prasheel Gopal, Alberto Moya, Navid Saleki and friend, Johann Chann and Trevor Lacey. KOS saw the return of Sam Foakes to competition after a few years out, and as many expected he did not disappoint, taking the win, with Romain Georges in second place. Prasheel took the win in Expert. Whilst all that was going on, Phil Dolan who wasn’t at King of Southsea tut tut, continued his solo mission, with his latest clips exploring the figure of 8 concept. And Trevor Meyer dropped an insane Summer 2012 edit that had the FM house stoked in between numerous viewings of the new 430 DVD!
Two days later I released Sam Foakes winning run rom the KOS. Dez Maarsen won the Chuncheon Cup, and Chad Johnston dropped one of the best edits of the year hands down! Pegless riding at its very best that seemed to utilise all techniques in flatland into one. Mind blown. Chad is a beast!
August as you would expect in the height of summer, finished with tons of edits. Actually that slowed down all year but anyway, it seems busier when your finishing up summer season at the skatepark, and trying to ride and run the website. On August 29th, Argentine shredder Gonzalo Bellanti released a really nice “Post BMX Worlds Hype” edit that documented his progression, this kid has a bright future. Fresh off the Chuncheon Cup win, Dez Maarsen dropped a sick brakeless edit, the man was looking ready for the Red Bull COB. And last but not least, even though the footage is old, one of the best edits of the year, was this Lost Footage edit of Matthias Dandois, shot arguably in his prime. Seriously go back and watch this!
Phew!! A lot happened as you can appreciate from May till August, argueably the busiest months of the year! Stay tuned for Part 3, coming soon….
Bibliography:
May
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/posse-up-baltimore
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/posse-up-los-angeles
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/430-dvd-trailer
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/the-red-bull-circle-of-balance-is-back
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/quentin-pelorson-progression
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/viki-gomez-wins-bike-days
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/yohei-uchino-yoshiki-uchino-hiroya-morisaki-an-cup
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/jason-plourde-double-decade
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/viki-gomez-on-levis-streetwear
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/mark-kuhlmann-voodoo-jam-hype-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/ron-monis-voodoo-jam-hype-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/athens-crew-win-2012-posse-up-video-contest
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/scott-obrien-terry-adams-espn-behind-the-scenes-at-voodoo-jam
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dominik-nekolny-voodoo-jam-hype-combo
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/todd-carter-voodoo-hype-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/alex-jumelin-wins-fise-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/bloody-shins-deep-bmx-webstore
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatdev-2012-–-trailer-for-interview-session
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-hotoke-at-jomopro-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/bryan-huffman-voodoo-jam-hype-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/akihiko-takahashi-holiday-frame-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-dane-beardsley-espn-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatdev-2012-–-shintaro-misawa-interview-session
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/travis-collier-my-steaz
June
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/2012-red-bull-circle-of-balance-rider-list-announced
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/chase-gouin-is-back-riding
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/originality-1-contest-win-a-khe-jesse-puente-prototype-frame
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/prasheel-gopal-voodoo-jam-hype-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-waldemar-fatkin-stephan-kornely
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/denes-katona-irish-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matt-wilhelm-qualifies-first-at-2012-voodoo-jam
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/voodoo-pre-jam-pictorial
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/jason-plourde-transformer-freestyle-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatdev-2012-–-mat-dagu-interview-session
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-miyata-yorimitsu-mostly-true
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matthias-dandois-new-bmx-style-street-flat
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/mark-kuhlmann-voodoo-jam-expert-class-winner-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/pete-brandt-clocktower-represent
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/voodoo-jam-trip-by-trevor-oleniuk-2
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/toon-welcome-to-dc
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/nankai-freecoaster-rebuild-maintenance-guide
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/voodoo-jam-2012-by-anthony-crespo-art-mag
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/freedom-bmx-voodoo-jam-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/voodoo-pre-jam-2012-extended-edition
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/terry-adams-slu-oak-tree-session
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/john-yull-bikecheck
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matt-wilhelm-breaking-new-ground
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/a-style-jam-by-shinde
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-david-nagy-alone-in-gyc
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/shayne-khajehnoori-bikecheck
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/originality-1-contest-khe-bikes-lisias-tabarelli
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/gonzalo-pola-bellanti-la-rocka
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-reveal-yourself
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-bruno-zebu-originality-1-contest-khe-bikes
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/prasheel-gopal-june-18th-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/originality-1-shinishi-kiba-aka-russia
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matti-rose-bikecheck
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/hiroya-morisaki-wins-g-shock-real-toughness-in-nagoya
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-alain-massabova-40-years-in-paris
July
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/david-nagy-originality-1-re-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/shinichi-kiba-wins-a-style-jam
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/thomas-noyer-originality-contest-khe-bikes
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-calvin-tan-amalgamate
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/gabe-kadmiri-2011-side-one
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatmad-summer-part-1
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/viki-gomez-lost-and-found-footage-by-style43
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/osg-13-invitational-flatland-contest-budapest-hungary
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatmad-summer-2012-pt-2
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/the-crackpacker-by-the-flatmad-crew
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dane-beardsley-shaka-brah
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-heresy-sebastian-grubinger-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatmad-summer-part-3
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/sam-foakes-flatmatters-manchester-session-promo-clip
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-bert-ribul-aleksi-ritsila-split-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/taslem-botak-raziff-wins-flat-dev-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-voodoo-jam-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dez-maarsen-michael-van-der-kroft-summer-weekend-session
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/hiroya-morisaki-wins-stop-2-of-the-g-shock-real-toughness-series
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/york-jam-2012-by-erik-otto
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/red-bull-circle-of-balance-teaser
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/viki-gomez-signs-for-dc
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/joe-cicman-interview-round-3-am-flat-hype
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/lisias-tabarelli-wins-originality-1-contest-khe-bikes
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/simon-obrien-colony-deja-vu-bikecheck
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatmatters-manchester-session
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matthias-dandois-wins-the-2012-worlds
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/alex-jumelin-st-martin
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/sam-foakes-flatmatters-manchester-session
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/top-3-pro-highlights-bmx-worlds-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-shinsyu-flatland-contest
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/gabe-kadmiri-side-201two
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/trevor-lacey-interview-the-paddle-round-the-pier-weekend
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/shinishi-russia-kiba-wins-real-toughness-osaka
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/freedom-bmx-bmx-worlds-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/joe-miller-interview-am-flat-round-3-hype
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/jesse-puente-on-wrung-street-wear
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/bmx-worlds-cologne-2012-by-deepbmx
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/the-plywood-hoods-aggro-rag-is-back
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/ucchie-wins-kogworld-circuit-round-2-in-kobe
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/kogwc-round-2-footage-final-battle-and-more
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/lee-wilson-king-of-southsea-hype
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/keisuke-tanigawa-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-john-yull-tempest-brand
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matthias-dandois-one-day-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatland-bmx-riders-wish-london-and-the-uk-good-luck-for-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-pedro-melo-one-too-hot-hour-in-luz
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatstyles-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatland-outside-bmx-worlds-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/keisuke-tanigawa-wins-saga-no-run-contest
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/osg13-offline-sport-games-flatland-contest-teaser
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/amflt-2012-anarchy-in-anderson-hype
August
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/laszlo-tivadar-5-combos-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dominik-nekolny-bmx-worlds-2012-cologne
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/steve-mulder-5-brakeless-hangliders-3x
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/flatland-in-at-the-dew-tour-ocean-city-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/jf-boulianne-wins-anarchy-in-anderson
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/yohei-uchino-wins-sendai-g-shock-real-toughness
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/oneloveprimo-trailer
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/espn-the-return-of-mike-dailys-aggro-rag
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/sebastian-seppl-pospischil-bikecheck-new-ride-new-day-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dylan-worsley-xfootbkwdhalf
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-jason-plourde-theres-something-about-flatland
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matt-wilhelm-bikecheck-for-dans-comp
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/michael-steingraeber-sunday-night-at-lvr
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/cross-country-with-dane-beardsley-portland-oregon
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/simon-warsan-anarchy-in-anderson-pro-practice
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/kevin-nikulski-flatland-bmx-worlds-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/jason-plourde-decade-madness
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/kog-round-2-official-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-naoto-tamaru-kenshiro-ojma-summer-tour ucchie backwheel
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/55dsl-flatland-jam-final-battle
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/alex-worden-summer-sessions
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/phil-dolan-bwbd-f888888888888
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/aresbykes-x-superb-japan-tour-2011-dvd-review
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/holiday-cup-vol-3
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/onelovebmx-primo-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/euro-treino-flatland-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/prasheel-gopal-training-for-king-of-southsea
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matthias-dandois-wins-dew-tour-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/effraim-catlow-king-of-southsea-interview
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dew-tour-allisports-final-battle-edit
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/freegun-underwear-welcomes-alex-jumelin-to-the-pro-team
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/aggro-rag-issue-13
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/ronny-engelmann-todays-riding-2
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/same-thing-daily-usa-trip
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/run-430-dvd-review
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/phil-dolan-sw8
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/trevor-meyer-summer-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/sam-foakes-prasheel-gopal-win-king-of-southsea
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/sam-foakes-king-of-southsea-winning-run
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dez-maarsen-wins-chuncheon-cup-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/must-watch-chad-johnston-underground-2
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/red-bull-circle-of-balance-livefeed
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/gonzalo-bellanti-post-bmx-worlds-hype
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/dez-maarsen-summer-2012
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/matthias-dandois-lost-footage
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/bruno-zebu-inside-out
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/shuichi-osada-starts-buoyancy
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/alex-worden-the-running-man
ART BMX Webzine #0!
No more reviews of ART BMX Magazine needed! It’s all here for you online now free of charge for everyone worldwide! Issue #0 has a ton of varied content, but of flatland interest Alain Massabova’s Custom ride, Viki Gomez & Jesse Puente Flat Kings, Red Bull Circle of Balance, Stephane Royer Interview, stood out on first look through, there is so much more. Enjoy this!
The Viki Gomez Interview part 2
Interview: Effraim
Photos: Viki Gomez/Red Bull Content Pool
I feel like I have already done the intro for the interview in part 1 so lets keep this short and sweet and get right into this…
It was great to see a banger ultimately decide a huge contest like the Red Bull COB, how long did it take you to get a link such as the steamroller kickflip to halfpacker ready for a contest?
The floor was super cool, and I know that I can pull this combo in good floor having the right mindset. I really appreciate that the judges understood how hard it is to pull a kick flip, because it’s so special and hard trick! I learnt that from MK, kickflips are hard and require a strong mind, and this day my mind was strong as never before.
Tell me how you go about putting your combinations together, what are some of the things you consider? Like before the Red Bull COB, how did you decide on your combos?
I was practising completely different combos for COB. But the day of the contest I couldn’t pull them together so I decide to change the plan, and go for a kind of tricks where I could feel more relaxed. This way I could be “one” with my bike and be able to control my nerves, enjoy and make the crowd happy.
Besides Red Bull and obviously representing Fenix Bikes, who else is supporting you?
Well, right now I have got a lot of new sponsors, especially after winning the COB! I signed for G Shock Japan (I am sponsored straight from Japan), Arnette Sun glasses (this is a very special/exclusive team with sponsors like Dani Pedrosa, Moto GP rider), Levi´s (amazing Streetwear line of fashion), Orbea bikes (They are going to make true one of my dreams that you will see coming next year around May), Suelo (Now this brand belongs to Jykk Japan and I am sponsored with all the parts also designing new parts) and DCShoes (Being part of the VIP Family of a brand made from riders). Editors note: More on Orbea Bikes soon…
Wow you must get a ton of goodies each month, thats awesome! In my opinion, you are the most stylish rider out there right now, so let me ask you, what is style for you?
Thank you Effraim! I heard that a lot from riders and I am really happy and thankful if its like this! I am just natural with my bike, I follow a natural way of moving according to my feelings and then magic happens! I am pretty transparent person and it shows in every aspect of your life.
Speaking of style, what music are you into?
Any music that is good is welcome. I will always like anything that has beauty and spirit!
How concerned are your sponsors with you being in the public eye with edits, or are they more concerned with you riding shows?
I am lucky enough with my sponsors to be seeing as a BMX Flatland Legend! They know the love and passion I put on my bike, they know I have won a lot of contests, made my own innovative bike company, made my own contest like Flamenco Flatland, and they support me because they trust me, and they like that I come with new ideas all the time.
For me life is about coming with new ideas, not only about tricks, but also about projects and exciting business. I give a lot of advices and ideas to my sponsors, I connect good people together of different business of fashion, music, cinema, festival organizers, bike manufacters, urban culture, shops, etc.
My shows are all about showing Flatland in my own way, they way I feel, the way I love it and always representing it in the right way! I don’t feel like a BMX rider at all, I feel more like an artist on wheels with a business mind, lucky enough to travel, make connections and meet amazing people around the globe! I am very interested in others people life’s who have nothing to do with BMX but with art, music, fashion, culture and business related.
What if any are your practise rituals on a normal day?
Wake up, say thank you for a new day and take this day as it comes! Sometimes are riding days and some others are projects and email days. Some others are days to disconnect and many of them are busy days somewhere in the world riding with my bike. The only ritual is to follow the vibe of the day, so whatever you do will be the right decision and then you can take the most of it!
Does that change leading up to a big contest such as the Red Bull COB?
Yeah definitely! I can easily say that I have nothing else to proof in contests terms. But I will always be competitive. I have won a lot different contests in the past but this contests is definitely the best ever and any rider´s dream! I have won it three times and every time I realise I am so stoked.
It makes me realise that your life can become magic if you really wish it with love and passion for what you do! Realizing this makes me understand that I have a powerful tool in my hands! And now I know I can use this magic power in everything I wish to do in my life!
The COB win in japan marks ten years at the top of the sport for you, it’s crazy now to think of you as a veteran, but a veteran who is pushing new styles and concepts, so do you have any words of advice to the older generation of riders out there that maybe think they are to old to compete?
I realized that Flatland is like wine! It just gets better with age, and as any good wine it needs to be kept in the right conditions. So I just have been taking a lot of care of my self in health terms because I just wanted to ride so life gave me all the ways and opportunities to keep on riding! I never got old in my heart, therefore I never lost the passion and love to ride and as long as you feel as happy as the first time you ever rode then nothing will change! Only your experience will makes you more mature and wise so you will ride even better. This is my philosophy of riding.
After japan I heard you took your brakes off, what made you decide that? Have you accomplished all you want to contest wise, onto new challenges?
Riding with brakes the way I ride it feels for some reason much harder than ride with no brakes! Links with brakes are all about waiting for the right momentum to make the link in the exactly right moment, and it’s very limited time to react properly. I have been lately feeling claustrophobic about being locked in this momentum so I decided to scape from it and find in brakeless riding the freedom to choose the momentum to make the link.
Tell me about the “freestyle concept” Viki? I noticed you change up your combos all the time. How does that work in regard to contest preparation?
In order to freestyle you need to have a lot of tricks, and for that you need to practise a lot of tricks. So everyday I make sure I make at least some tricks of every style possible out there. During warm up and then it comes the “conceptual” combos. I mean, for example kickflip is a concept, so I try to make a combo with 2 or 3 different kickflips mixed. Then whiplash is another concept. I try to mix forward and backward whiplashes. Then XF is another concept, and like this over and over all the time with many more concepts. At the end Freestyle happens when you can improvise and mix these concepts. It takes time to get this level, but my priority is to be a complete rider with a lot of variety of tricks and styles.
This has been truly awesome. Any final words of thanks, shootouts etc Viki?
I want to thank you Effraim for this interview and congratulate you for the daily work on Flatmattersonline.com!
I want to thank from my family, friends, and specially the big support from my girlfriend Alexa who has changed my life into a dream during the last 3 years! She has been and is my best friend, manager, supporter and lover!
And last but not least I want to thank all my sponsors for supporting and believing in me! Red Bull, Orbea, G Shock, Arnette, Levis, DC and Suelo! Also the new spanish ageny called “Step family” company for helping me to grow much more in Spain! Thanks Red Bull international for all the great trips and invitations worldwide! Thank you all the riders for the support and nice words on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! You all give me the motivation to keep on!
Let’s finish off this interview with some questions from you all at home, (these are the questions Viki answered..)
Reader questions:
Navid asked :
How long are you planning to ride flatland? (personal riding, not competition nor progressing, just riding)
I have a deal with Jesse Puente who is about 8 years older than me. Whenever he stops I will take his age as a refference to stop. But honestly, do you think JP will ever stop riding?
Uzumaki asked:
What is the name of the reggae song you rode at, at your qualification run rebeljam?
Ask Michael Sommer, he was the Dj. I just asked him for a Reggae song.
Sven asked:
Do you think much about the future? What are you going to do for a living when flatland won’t pay the bills? Any plans like Terry Adams to invest in houses and live from the rent, etc? It´s cool to live the BMX dream, but what comes after that?
Flatland is not paying me money wise only, it s giving me everyday opportunities to travel all over the world, design bikes, being a marketing and team manager, make conexions, come up with ideas and concepts. And the most important nowadays: Lifestyle! Giving me knowledge everyday to learn a lot about the business of entertaiment and marketing. So my philosophy is to keep learning and progressing. I know life will show me the way as always! Nothing comes after the BMX dream. Life is a dream and I just keep on living.
2) Why did you move to Luxembourg? Girlfriend? Do you have any plans to go back to Spain? Do you ride alone in Luxembourg? Do you have an indoor spot? You know the winter can be harder there than in Malaga.
I moved because I have been following my girlfriend during her studies the last 3 years in Stockholm, London, Madrid and now Luxembourg. It has changed my point of view in life and I am very open to live anywhere new and exciting in the future! It helped me to become more sophisticated and cosmopolitan.
For me Winter and cold has become a positive thing. I appreciate the good weather, and when is bad weather I stay positive and patient. I have an indoor spot where I ride alone, so I am very lucky! I love the feeling to be able to ride when is super cold outside. It’s a nice feeling that I never experienced before.
Pugloaf asked:
Longest break you took from riding? Any tips for pivot tricks?
I think one month is the longest break I took, and it was because I got injured in my ankle. I am addicted to ride so if I stop it s because something had happened.
Regarding the pivoting, just put your feet/foot in the top of the pegs and feel the flow.
Adam D asked:
When you picture links/tricks in your head, is it from a side point of view like your watching a video, or over top of your bike like what you would see while your actually riding?
When I invent a new trick or link it’s from the same point of view as what I see when I ride. But when I want to practise freestyle in my mind I see it from outside like watching a video.
Julien Politi asked:
Do you ”practice”, or do you just ride? I mean is there any precise riding pattern that you stick to to maintain this high level, or do you just freestyle without planning anything?
I practise basic routines everyday of whiplash, XF combos, kickflips, backwheel, spin both sides and then I go for the tricks I am practising at that moment. Freestyle comes only sometimes and it’s amazing when it happens!
Byke asked:
Who designed what with KGB?
I mostly took care of all the designs, accounts, orders and legal paperwork since Martti took care of the whole marketing campaign, relations and web page.
And why did you decide to go separate ways?
Well, KGB was our university, and we really learnt how to manage a freelance job. It was a time to move on progress, and KGB wasn’t the answer for our demands so we decided to move on and find new ways. To establish a bike company might take at least 20 years to have a respectable name in the industry. Despite this, we made some noise in the industry and had an amazing funny time! I encourage people to try their own thing, you will never loose even if your profit is zero. You will win knowledge and life surely will payback with money in the future. Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to risk, because at the end you will profit more than you can imagine right now.
If you missed part 1:
https://www.flatmattersonline.com/the-friday-interview-viki-gomez-part-1
Red Bull’s Elimination Rounds – TransWorld RideBMX
Some of the highlights from the Elimination Rounds at the Red Bull COB, without a doubt one of the best contests of all time! Watching this back still gives me goosebumps about the whole night, the build up, the crowd, the vibe, Japan!
FlatWebTV Episode 22: COB recap teaser, Texas Toast, Texas Flatland Round-up and more
The flatweb tv guys had a few problems with the COB teaser yesterday, its now up, and looks amazing! The full show drops on Tuesday 9th October, well worth a watch for insight from Scott O’Brien, myself, Mike S, Moto Sasaki, Dez Maarsen and the winner Viki Gomez