Category Archives: Exclusives

Shane Badman in Southsea!

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Yesterday was a good day! The build up to King of Concrete this weekend is in full swing. And my good mate Shane Badman rolled into town last night, unfortunately he can’t make the KOC as he’s attending a wedding in Bath. We had a flat session in the rink like old times (Shane used to live in Southsea) and caught up about life, ladies, travels, injuries and of course flatland. Always a pleasure to catch up with one of the raddest guys I met through flatland. Mark Kuhlmann arrives today, with any luck I will shoot a few videos this week.

Rad Girls – BMX Flatland by Paula Callery!

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Paula Callery put together this collection of female BMX flatland riders from across the world. Love the community aspect, and Paula’s drive to get this project done! Here’s what Paula had to say:

This edit started out as an idea. As usual it took me a while to figure out if it was a good idea or bad idea, but I just kept thinking about it, and thinking about it. After the thought kept re-occurring in my head over an extended period of time I decided that it had to be a good idea and I was going to do it.
To get the ball rolling I sent out a lot of emails. I set a deadline, and requested a few clips from each girl. At times I had to use an online translators, and my personal interpreter to the far East, Miyuki, helped out tremendously with the Japanese connection. Some girls were injured, some girls were travelling, some girls had technical issues, some girls felt they couldn’t do it at all. Eventually the clips started coming in, and more and more riders were being added to the list.

I sent out more emails, border line harrassing members of the riding community, and pushed hard to get more clips. I hit a plateau at one point of 9 girls, and was shocked at the mediocrity of it. 9 girls? Internationally there are 9 girls that want do do this? I thought about the times before flatland was wide spread over the web.

There was the local scene, then occasionally there would be road trips and you travel to other cities and meet new riders from a different scene. Now we’re so intertwined in social media the globe as become a local scene. I have never really known of a girls scene, but I know I’d like to be in one. So, I set out on a mission; To meet the local members of my all girls social media scene, and came up with 9 riders? I decided this was not acceptable and I had to push back the deadline to whenever it was that I would have at least 10 riders. Then the clips started flowing again. In the end there are 17 riders featured. All girls, from different parts of the world. I know there are more out there, too. I’ll see about doing this every year, and hopefully by then more girls will want to participate and the other girls will have progressed.

The scene will keep changing, riders will come and go, and some will stick it out for the long term, but at least I feel like I’m part of a real girls scene these days. I really want to express my deepest gratitude towards all the girls who participated and trusted me with their riding clips. This became a labour of love and I gave it my best, I hope I don’t disappoint these girls!

Dominik Nekolny – The Flatmatters Interview

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* Stickied for today – Saturday July 20th. Updates below Dom’s interview.

Intro: Effraim
Interview: Effraim + Reader Questions
Photos: Kelly Baldwin, Magdalena Stankova, Ronny Englemann.

As I walked into the flatland tent at the BMX Worlds, I looked across the area and saw Dominik Nekolny mid xft whiplashes. My eyes were of course firmly drawn, the link continued with 360 bar flip to halfpacker pivot out to xft opposite carved halfhiker xft whiplashes to no handed guillotine. You could have heard a pin drop.

The rise of Dominik Nekolny to the top I would imagine has been a long hard struggle, and a lonely one too. For me this guy has gone the extra mile which takes commitment and sacrifice. I’ve heard many a contest pro say in the modern day, Dom is the guy to beat. As the clock ticked away during his worlds final, you could see he knew he had blown the world title. For many second would be amazing,for Dom it’s not. And I admire that, he’s brutally honest and wears his heart on his sleeve.
I realised I didn’t know much about a rider I admire so much. Hey Dom, why no flatmatters interview? Few days later here we are…

Firstly Dom, introduction, so how old are you? Where abouts are you from? And how long riding?
So, my name is Dominik Nekolny. I’m 27 years old and I was born and I live in Prague, Czech Republic – Czech. I have started riding in 2003.
 
What got you into flatland? Was it flatland straight away for you?
I always wanted to ride BMX, since I was a kid. When I saw some BMX in TV, I was always amazed only by a Flatland. So for me it was Flatland straight away – I never care about other ways (disciplines) that much. I used to play a soccer, pretty good actually (but I sucked big time in the beginning), and then I just realized it’s just way to easy sport – so boring for me. So there have started my BMX career.
 
What was your first bike/sponsor?
My first bike was KHE Titus – crazy bike! After some time I tried to do my own frames and parts. First frame I made was really ugly, but the second frame and fork were really nice and best of all functional. Many brands copied my fork. Anyway in 2009, Matti Röse ask me if I would like to join Autum Bikes / Deep BMX. I said I’m not sure, but then I decided to go for it and that was my first Sponsor. Now I’m really proud to be part of Autum Bikes!
 
What’s the first trick you learnt?
The first real trick I learned was maybe Caboose and decade – I loved decades – back in the days I could do triple-decades…I wish I have a back brake again…
 
Can you remember a point where you thought, i’m hooked, this is what I want to do?
Of course! It was just little bit before I quit soccer. I had a new bike and I started to rode like 6-8 hours per day in weekends. That was the time I was like Yeah I’m so gonna ride a lot!


Dom killing it xfted at the Voodoo Jam!

When did you first start competing?
I actually start competing just one year after I started ridding. I just have some few moves, but that what it was about back in the days. Now days people want to look cool at first and then maybe visit the comp…
 
What were your inspirations growing up riding flatland?
In real beginning I never forget that time, when I pass around National Theatre (main flatland spot in Prague – at least it used to be) and there were like 25 people on BMX riding flatland…Every time I saw it from streetcar I was so stoked!
 
When did you first turn pro?
It was the last Berlin City Games organized by Matti Röse in a church. Really, really awesome event. I rode just after Justin Miller perfect run and I sucked 😀
 
Thats interesting. I always thought your work ethic is similar to Justin Miller, pure beast mode, is that a fair comment?
I guess yes – when I do something, I cannot do it just like that…I just cannot give up!
 
Quite often because of your job, you fly in for a contest and fly out, that must be crazy hard on your mind, body and soul. How do you get around this?
It doesn’t seem like that, but it really is hard. I mean traveling is so nice but also very tiring. Recently I was told, that maybe some people doesn’t like when I come just for a contest and then go home just after it. I was told maybe it could cause some underrating as well… So I would like to be clear about this – I do this kind of thing, cause I don’t have big energy drink behind my ass who pays my life and I have to care about my living by myself. So when I want to go to contest, I’m trying to make it as short as I can to not waste my time I could spend working on my own projects which pay my life. Even I really love traveling to contest, hanging out with my good friends overseas I just have to do it like that – so please try to understand this. I mean I want to support people who’s doing good contest by I’m going for these contest like I was in Osaka for less than 24 hours!


BMX Show EU Team.
 
That’s crazy! I have to ask, as I asked Viki Gomez in a recent interview, for me I see bits of Viki and Justin Miller in your riding. How much influence did those guys have on your riding?
Viki was really big inspiration for me. Everybody knows that, he knows that, even he didn’t like it, I didn’t like it, I guess it has to be like that. From the beginning I loved technical riding and that’s what Justin stand for – and that’s you can see similarities as well. I needed to build up my base on what I really like – technical tricks. But nowadays I think I totally went for my own path. I mean I still do Martti’s pivot, but I’m doing it in my own way and I do Justin’s kick flip and that’s it – really working hard on myself and my own lines and style. And this year I will do some big improvements! No brake! Just kidding-HA-you wish! Never putting down my lovely brake. 😉
 
It’s no secret it takes a lot of dedication, blood, sweat and tears to get to the top. What preparations do you go throughout to get ready for a big contest Dom?
Yeah you are right – for example I was preparing for 4 weeks of hard practice before BMX World and then you can see…even that was pointless. I think it’s about more than just a practice and preparation. I think it’s about a luck as well. And because I have no luck I have to prepare even more. That’s what I will do next…
 
Likewise how do you select what combos to use at a contest?
As you know I’m not kind of video-guy. All the links I ever learned they were prepared for contests… So that’s why I’m not doing videos – for me it’s like that – you really learned whatever trick/link only if you can pull it in the contest.
 
When do you say to yourself, a combo is contest ready?
It’s hard to say, that last combo I was a stupid idiot and tried 3 time in my final run – it should have been contest ready 😀 But obviously that combo was lazy that day 😀 But seriously for me it’s about feeling. If you feel your safe in this combo you can pull it in show for example on a really shitty ground – it should be contest ready.
 
How do you break up your practise sessions to cater for consistency at contests, & progressing?
I guess I progress the best when I’m pissed. I’m pissed right now about myself so there’s gonna be some progression before I step up to consistency again.
 
Who do you ride for Dom?
I ride for Autum Bikes, Rubena a.s., 55DSL, G-SHOCK, DVS.
 
What are your plans for 2013 Dom? Are you entering the World Circuit?
I’m not sure. I participated at first stop – Voodoo, but I finished weirdly so now I don’t know if there’s point to continue. And we have sweet contest in Czech same date as Vigo so I really don’t know. Anyway really want to g-g-g-gooo to Phillyyyyyyy!, but not sure about that as well. Anyway there’s gonna be a lot of contest yet…
 
What’s motivating you to progress?
My failure…
 
Who are your favourite riders?
Of course Michi Steingraber for killer “switch”, Justin Miller for being the best, Matti Röse was killing it as well, Alex Jumelin for doing his thing.
 
Do you ride with anyone?
Almost most of the time I ride alone. Just one for week or two weeks I ride with my friends Patrik Ras and Michal Kupec.
 
Readers questions:

Alex Jumelin: what is your real job????
Most of the people heard my cover story job as a CAD designer – but it was long time ago I was doing that…now days…you really don’t wanna know…
 
Omari Hashim Cato: why always white rims!?!?!?!?!
Nice question! Cause I just love it J I mean, I can always change color of the frame, bars and fork and rest keep white so it fits a lot of colors and cause white rims brake the best.
 
Federico Rodriguez: At what age do you have your first tattoo?
I was 18 so 9 years ago.

Why you dont use tight jeans?
Cause they‘re gay? No, just kidding – it’s just not my thing and it doesn’t fit me…

Why you dont ride backwheel at contest?
1.      Good question!
2.      Don’t take the answers personally! I’m answering to all the people who asking me same questions.
3.      I really don’t have fun with back wheel – why should I ride something I don’t have fun with? To keep the trend? I don’t think so…
4.      I stand for the reason you cannot be as good on both wheel as you would be if you ride only one wheel – it same with everything – you cannot be as good flat/street rider as you would be only as a street or flat rider. Yeah you can say you will lose variety but that’s tax for that. I could do timemachine in the contest to show I can do some stupid backwheel trick, but for what? 2002 Martti didn’t do any backwheel combo in his run – can you say he has no variety? 😉
 
Dez Maarsen: What’s is your favorite liqueur?
Every non- liqueur drink 😉
 
Omari Hashim Cato: When’s the last time you did that crazy x foot steam kickflip to wheelchair that u debuted at Fight with flight. will it make a return??
Good question! Actually it will – very soon!
 
Scott O’Brien: Favorite punk band?
Oh you know me! Kid Dynamite, H2O, New Found Glory, Rancid, Till We Drop and many more!

Back to it…

You mentioned energy drink support, you recently turned down Monster, can you explain why?
Actually its not recently. The information is recent 🙂 Sure no big deal 🙂 It’s simple – I turned down Monster cause they offered me “funny” money – that was first reason. And second, more important reason was that I wanted to show them I have my price – if they want me to support me and I should do a promotion to them, they should support me in a proper way. I will go to contests anyway, I don’t need to be their clown for few bucks. And this is what people should be think about. If every second rider accept silly deal just for wear a stupid hat then he’s destroying whole market – why would company pay to someone twice bigger money if they can get some guy wears 10 meters size logo on his head for 10 times smaller money, right?

Everyone knows you work a 40 hour job a week, plus riding at the highest level, would you like to just ride flatland full time or do you enjoy to do something different in your life?
If I have to be honest, I`m not sure if I could handle just riding. I would be still doing something very different besides riding anyway. I love riding with whole my heart but I guess I need to stay busy all day long, even I still bitching about that 😀

I’m curious about your new tyre and I saw your stem at the Worlds, tell me about the process of getting your own tyre, and also the stem, what are the measurements? Where can riders get these parts from?
Your right – The BMXWorlds was the first official selling point for my new tire. I think people are still little skeptic and I think they don’t like to change tires 😀 I hated that as well when I was looking for the right one but I can tell you try them and you will be surprised. I’m not saying that cause their mine, I was scared what new tire will be like – but the final result is better than I could have imagined. Now I’m testing my stem. Theres gonna be some little changes, but it’s almost done and it’s gonna be available very soon. All my products you can find on my webstore: http://DOMshop.dominiknekolny.com – there are all the informations and stock info. Also tires are already available in Germany in http://bloodyshins.com shop and their gonna be available worldwide very very soon. I also ship worldwide so don’t hesitate and order 🙂


Dom signing autographs at a lecture, see below for more on this subject..

You run a drugs free program over there in Prague, what does that involve Dom in more detail?
True, true. I’m really proud I have finally starter this project. I visits school and do motivation lectures with little BMX Show. The lecture is cca 45 min long and contains several topics. I’m riding about 2-3 minutes in whole lecture so its about talking, not riding. The major idea is to motivate kids to do their thing. To show them them if they will have some dream they can reach it! I think the project is very successful and I’m working to make it better and better every lecture.

You mentioned brakes, tell me about your brake set up Dom?
I love my brake setup 😛 I ride double front brake fooooooooor…I don’t know for how long exactly…maybe since 2006-7? Actually I use only one brake and the other one I use for like one or two tricks 😀 but i so don’t like my bike with only one lever 😀 So for me it would be no brake or both brakes. You guys know what option 😉


Mid steam 3 pivot to halfpacker at the BMX Worlds!

Of course we all know you just missed out on the World Championship title in the last 35 seconds of your run, that is hard to take. But for sure, you are taking the sport to new levels in terms of difficulty in your runs, what is your practice method to be so consistent?
Could I be even more stupid? Trying some shit 3 times? I almost killed myself…never been that pissed before on myself…but what can I say, it happened and now I have to deal with it. I would like to share that with you, but Im not sure if I actually want 🙂 But one thing is for sure…you cannot reach it with “freestyle”.

What’s your advice to the kids who look up to you, and want to compete at a high level in flatland?
Im not sure if somebody is looking up to me but if they do, theres something for sure I want to tell you. Don’t practice for sponsors, don’t practice for fame, followers or energy drinks. Practice for yourself and because you wanna ride your bike. How I said…I paid my travels many years by myself to visit contest I wanted to compete and I will again if I will need to. If you do it for any reasons above, better stop…

Any final words Dom?
Sure. I would like to thank all my sponsors: Autum Bikes, 55DSL, G-Shock, Rubena a.s. and Nikon who support me and most important care about what Im doing. I wanna thank you to Matti Röse, Thomas Hirsch, Jirka Simanek, Martin Rychna, Jirka Simanek, Christian Hecht, Magdalena Stankova. Then of course to my family, all my friends and people who supports me. And if there are any fans, I thank you as well cause you guys are my engine!

Thanks Dom, amazing catching up with you!

Interview: Adam Kun – 2013 BMX Worlds Pro Flatland Champion!

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Intro/Interview: Effraim.
Photos: Ronny Engelmann.


Two footed Backyard on the pedals, an AK original move.

2013 BMX Worlds Pro Flatland Champion

2010 BMX Masters Pro Flatland Champion

2008 2nd BMX Masters Pro Flatland

2006 3rd BMX Masters Pro Flatland

2005 2nd BMX Masters Pro Flatland

2002 Masterclass BMX Worlds Flatland Champion

Since 2002, looking at the results above, you could say Adam’s achievement of being crowned the 2013 BMX Worlds Champion has been coming. Adam always seems to rise to the occasion at the Koln Jugendpark. I wanted to catch up with Adam to get a lil’ insight into his thoughts on this memorable win.

Firstly, congratulations Adam for your win at the 2013 BMX Worlds. It seems like Koln is always good for you?

Thank you very much. I’m still so stoked!
After being 4th time in the Top3 in Pro and 2002 Master category winning yes we can say that, but sometimes I have a hard time over there like last year when I ended up 32nd. Hahaha…
If I wanna be honest I have to say that I don’t like the floor too much because everything is just two times harder to pull than at my home spot, but seems like I can deal with it time to time! 


I heard you were sick all night before the finals, how did you hold it together for your final run?

Right after the qualification on Friday I started to feel myself weak. Maybe I didnt eat enough and stressed too much. I had a fever so I went back to the hotel. I didnt sleep at all the night before the final and I was not sure at the morning that I can compete in the final. Basically 2 aspirin complex together saved my day! I was sweating as hell even without riding, but I said to myself at least i’m here in the final so I have to try.



Half Cab Whopper.

Tell me about your run, did it go to plan? 

Yes I had a plan. Stay alive and pull some combo both on frontwheel and the backwheel. As I said I felt myself very weak so I had those combos in my mind like a second plan and its work out at the end.


With your win, and David’s win in AM, Hungary cleaned up this weekend, you must be pretty proud of all the riders, you guys always come in a big bus right?

Yes i’m very happy that David could win in AM class. He really deserved it and from now on he has to ride hard as never before! Congrats to him! 
It was an amazing feeling to see how much energy and happiness we gave to all the Hungarian riders, friends, etc. I hope it will motivate everyone over here to ride harder or enjoy BMX. 
Back in the days I was going with the minibus, but in the last years I travel so much and it’s just more comfortable to fly everywhere.

For all those that have never been to the BMX Worlds, what is so great about it?

It’s good because all BMX disciplines is together, so you can see all the crazy tricks from all different form of riding! Many riders coming from all around the world every year, crazy parties etc. If you guys have a chance to go don’t hesitate to go.


Another OG AK move, no handed bar spinning lawn.

What are your plans for the rest of the year?

This year I didn’t want to compete as much as I did in the last years. I just feel like I have to compete less now a bit to keep my motivation on and enjoy my riding. Of course I will compete more this year but im not sure which contest I will choose. I have plenty of shows, my tv project is running and im still busy with that which is very great!

Any final words or thanks?
Thanks to my family, girlfriend, friends and of course for my sponsors: Monster Energy, Khebikes, NikeHungary, Velvartbikeshop, Myactioncam.

Thanks to flatmatters for the itw 😉

Keep riding guys!

Cheers Adam!

Watch Adam’s winning ride:

https://www.flatmattersonline.com/adam-kun-2013-bmx-worlds-winning-ride

David Szabo wins 2013 BMX Worlds AM Flatland!

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The Pro’s always get a lot of attention on the site right after a big contest. So I wanted to make a change on the site, and show some love to the AMs at the 2013 BMX Worlds at the top of the site. I however could only filmed three riders as my battery was running out, congratulations to David Szabo from Hungary who qualified first and of course ended up first in finals! What a weekend for Hungary at the 2013 BMX Worlds! Full results below…

1st David Szabo
2nd Timo Quitter
3rd Michele Maiolani
4th Attila Bereczski
5th Michal Kupec
6th Varo Hernandez
7th Pal Varga
8th Jussi Laukkanen
9th Kaan Geylani
10th Isaer Vladimir Sergeerich
11th Erik Hogers
12th Jenza Kamai

Throwback Thursdays – Editorial: The Worlds

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Editorial: Effraim

It’s that time of year again, the 2013 BMX World Championships is upon us. As I prepare to fly out later today for the Worlds, I thought I would do something a lil’ different for Throwback Thursdays.

The Worlds is an event is deep in the history books of BMX, in the early 90’s the event swapped around locations every year. Different countries wanting to have the chance of holding the event! Budapest 92, Limoges 93 where Albert Retey threw down one of the best runs of all time, 1994 in Koln where I surprised everyone including myself by taking the title, then there was a break for year. In 1996, Phil Dolan came out swinging on his orange Morales, followed by Andrew Faris taking the title the next two years in Eindhoven and Portimao. Phil Dolan came back for more in 99/2000 taking the title twice and ultimately for a third time. Then the Worlds was cancelled in 2001 in Toulouse France. The event returned to Koln in 2002, where Martti Kuoppa widely tipped to win in 2000, came back with an unbeatable run.

Pre internet, the Worlds was the event everyone showed up to and by and large you hadn’t seen anyone’s new tricks. The jam circles were always legendary. Especially around 2000 onwards with the inclusion of the flatland tent in Koln. The atmosphere, the bmx family feel, great times!
The Worlds of course is a lot for any organiser to take on. And nowadays the legendary Jugendpark in Cologne, Germany has become the host venue. The contest went under the name “BMX Masters” in 2005. Because of the venue, format, and whole set up being identical,many still regarded the contest as the Worlds. The downside for those that have won if you won the BMX Masters was you couldn’t take the “World Champion” title, if the names not there.

The first Worlds I can recall was in Vancouver, Canada 1986. With the event moving over to Europe in the late 80’s with the World Championshps even being held in England for a few years. The list of World Champions is something that adds to the history and tradition of the event. In 2003, the Portuguese held the Worlds for the second time, Nathan Penonzek was on another level that year! A year later we were back in Koln, with Akira Okamura taking the title. Then in 05, the Worlds took on a new venue, Prague! Michael Sommer took the title that year and it turned out to be the last one for a few years, with the BMX Masters running from 2005-2008. And that was dominated by two names, Justin Miller and Sam Foakes! The worlds returned in 2009, Raphael Chiquet stomped to a famous win. Then we had to wait until 2012 for the next Worlds, this time Matthias Dandois put the World title to his long list of titles. It’s not clear why the name changed from BMX masters to the Worlds, but it seems a shame not to carry the consistency each year.

This brings me onto a rather obvious point, but nevertheless one I am seeing more and more of. And something I would like to discuss.
There is only one World Champion! Some may think “yeah no shit Effraim”, but I see a lot of riders trying to ride the glory of being “World Champion” when it’s not there title to take. To me, thats disrespectful to the rider that is the World Champion, and takes something away from our sport.
Let’s take 2012 for example, Matthias Dandois is the current “World Champion”, and the “World Circuit” of course is a different event, Yohei Uchino is the 2012 “World Circuit Champion”, the Worlds is a one shot event, the World Circuit is as the name suggest, a series. We should distinguish the two.

For me, the World Championships is the event that really counts on contest calendar, theres a certain romance to the fact you get one crack at the title. I’ve seen many a dialled rider crumble under the pressure. You could say that for contest riding in general, but it seems much more enhanced at the Worlds. With the title at stake, whether it matters a lot with sponsors I don’t know. I do know that it has huge credibility with the riders due to its history and tradition, and ultimately thats what matters.

I can remember back in 2002, Martti Kuoppa was winning all the contests at that time, but the one that eluded him was the World title. If you were there in Koln 2000, you may recall Martti owning the qualifying, practise but buckling at the final hurdle. Then going onto win the X Games three times, in 2002 he returned to Koln and threw down trick for trick what I think is possibly in terms of originality and difficulty the best run I have ever seen. And what’s interesting watching it back, is there is no showmanship and yet the crowd is still so loud.
You can say to Joe public that you won an event, and yeah sure thats impressive. But to say you are the “World Champion”, that’s another level.

This year once again thanks to the hard work of the Autum/Deep BMX crew, the infamous flatland tent is back, which was last at the BMX Masters in 2008! If you are lucky enough to have felt the atmosphere inside the tent, you know what to expect!
Can Matthias defend his 2012 title? Who can step up and take the pressure, it’s something that intrigues me and I am sure others. Who are the contenders? Will any new guns step up to the plate, and make a name for themselves?
In this generation, where there are new edits daily. It’s easy to always talk about progression, but I rarely talk contest riding which is the hardest form of flatland. Maintaining a high level of discipline training for an event, being consistent, always progressing, being consistent at old tricks, and new tricks, changing combos, adapting to floors, different climates, dealing with jetlag, not to mention the pressure you personally put on yourself amongst other things.

Big up to everyone involved keeping this important event alive for the BMX community.

So with that said. All eyes on the Jugendpark in Koln this weekend.
Will we have a new World Champion for 2013?

See you there!

Previous winners from 92:
1992- Budapest: Chase Gouin
1993: Limoges: Albert Retey
1994: Effraim Catlow
1995: No worlds that year.
1996: Koln: Phil Dolan
1997: Eindhoven:Andrew Faris
1998: Portimao: Andrew Faris
1999: Madrid: Phil Dolan
2000: Koln: Phil Dolan
2001: Toulouse: Cancelled.
2002: Koln: Martti Kuoppa
2003: Beja: Nathan Penonzek
2004: Koln: Akira Okamura
2005: Prague: Michael Sommer
2006 onwards – BMX Masters instead of Worlds.
2009: Koln: Raphael Chiquet
2012: Köln: Matthias Dandois

Bert Ribul’s Junglerider IndaMix Prototype Bikecheck

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Photos: Dmitri Shushuev.

Frame: Jungle Rider InDaMix street/flat prototype frame 19.5″
Fork: Primo Strands
Handlebars: Jungle Rider MK Ultra v2 proto 9″
Barends: ODI
Stem: Sunday Freeze
Aheadset: Fsa impact
Grips: road bike grips on longnecks
Griplocks: nah
Brakes: negative
Tyres: Freguency g’s
Tubes: kenda ?
Pegs: Jungle Rider mudra
Seatpost: macneil
Seatclamp: wethepeople
Seat: Superstar pivotal
Chain adjustor: built in
Chain: KMC halflink
Cranks: khe hindenburgs, soon to be something longer.
Chainring: tree 4130
Pedals: Odyssey PC
Rims: Gsport birdcage in the front and rollcage in the back
Front hub: Animal Javelin
Freecoaster: Khe geisha lite
Spokes: finnish spokes

You go through a lot of frames, what’s different with this one?
I’m super stoked on the new frame and bars that we have come up with! Because I do a lot of whip and decade style stuff it is really hard on frames. On this frame the main focus was strength and it has been holding on real nice. It is the strongest frame I’ve ridden so far without having any problems with it.
It has thicker tubing, built in gussets on down and toptube, tubing is double butted and the toptube is slightly higher to get the best angle to withstand stress. It is slightly heavier, weighing around 2 kg but it feels super stable.
It should be going into production soon and it will be available in 19,2, 19,5, 20 and 20,5 ” toptube sizes.

Any modifications: The white stripes on my tyres!
I cut down my forks steerer tube, because nowadays everything is topload and very high so there’s no need for soo many spacers plus it looks real clean.

Anything specific to you that you must have on your own ride: A bit ghetto’ish look.

Sponsors: Red Bull, Jungle Rider, Vans.

Advice to beginners on bike set ups? Don’t rush on taking off the brakes, they are useful on learning all the basics which will really come in handy in the future.

Thanks Bert! See you at the Worlds!

Couple of more shots right here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dmitri_shushuyev/sets/72157634413012009/

T13 Flatland Jam Repo by Pete Hollinger

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Text: Pete Hollinger.
Photos: 2nd Shooter Photography.


Mizo, one wheel motion represent!

It had been almost ten years since the last official gathering of Ireland ‘s flatlanders, so to say the jam at T13 last weekend was long overdue would be an understatement.
I arrived at T13 skatepark early with my good friend Johnny Gordon (who some might remember won c-group at Level Vibes back in 2002) and was surprised to find a freshly built flatland platfom especially for the jam.
Not long after, local rider Aran Gillan arrived, chauffeured to the event by Northern Ireland flatland legend Dino Jeffers.


The judges putting in work.


Alex Neuma Encinas Garcon, guillotine style karl on way to second place at T13.

So practise got underway with Aran, Dino and Johnny defacing the new wooden surface with figure-eight tyre marks.
However about ten minutes into the session, disaster struck when Mr.Gordon tore the crotch well and truly out of his trousers. While he probably could have continued to ride we all decided that there were too many children around and it would be best if he took his seat on the judging panel a couple of hours early.
Arans younger brother Daniel was next to arrive straight from physio and immediately ignored the flatland platform, rolling hitchhiker combos the entire length of the skatepark.


Aran Gillan killed it all day! Rocket hang 5 steez.

By three o’clock when the jam was officially due to start, there were a total of four riders in attendance and with two of those supposed to be judging it looked like the final battle would be decided very easily…. Gillan vs Gillan.
Then at the last minute, Mizo, like a knight in shining armour came through the door with 5 other riders in tow.
That meant a total of eight riders would battle it out for an all expenses paid trip to the Worlds in July. Unbelievable. I hadn’t witnessed eight flatlanders together in Northern Ireland for at least ten years, it’s truly was a rare sight.
With everyone registered, the battles were drawn and the jam kicked off.

The youngest rider of the day, Mikolaj Penar, was up first and busted some old school moves much to Dino’s delight.

Gauthier Saint was looking good in practice trying some of the hardest switches of the day but unfortunately couldn’t nail them during his runs.

Super stylish Nrike Gascón turbined megaspins and steamrollers like there was no tomorrow.

Alex Neuma Encinas Garcon all the way from Spain came out all guns blazing right from the off, no holds barred. Long technical switch-foot steam combos mixed up with some fast fire hydrant whips for good measure. Definitely one of the most consistent riders of the day.

Mizo cranked up the difficultly with smooth whiplash combos and his signature crackpacker jump to backyard.

Aran Gillan kept his links short and sweet with all sorts of nose manual and time machine variations.

Local rider and Aran’s brother, Daniel Gillan coped well considering he isn’t used to riding in such a small are, landing a few nice hitchhiker to backwards hitchhiker juggler combos.

Lucas Santos was busting out some smooth brakeless links including a nice turbine hang5 to hang nothing.

In the end though it was Alex and Aran who battled it out for first place. Alex continuing his long switch foot combos while Aran muscled his bike into long nose manuals, pedal hand-5’s and even a hang-5 standing on the back peg.
The two styles were so different it was extremely difficult to judge.


Your top two, Alex (left) and Aran getting the winners shot with Pete Hollinger.

Only separated by a handful of points, it could have went either way but the judges decided Aran had done enough to take the win so look out for him at the Worlds this year in Cologne.

I had a fantastic time, great riding, old friends, new faces and plenty of banter – at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about.

Special thanks go out to Matt Gillespie, Dino Jeffers, everyone at T13, Belfast BMX, DJ Koncept and 2nd Shooter Photography.

2013 Voodoo Jam Random Survey by FlatWeb TV

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Anthony fired out some voodoo specific questions for Flatmatters at the pre-jam on Friday, May 31. Terry Adams, Prasheel Gopal, Bert Ribul, JF Boulianne, Waldemar Fatkin and Stephan Kornely were kind enough to answer some questions on a very hot Friday before the 2013 Voodoo Jam! Enjoy! I will post up the livefeed link details later today!

Scott O’Brien – Voodoo Jam Top 5’s

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The Voodoo jam is almost here, organisation and preparations have of course already began for Scott O’Brien and Terry for months! Scott recently got given the honour of a signature Voodoo jam frame from St Martin, I thought it would be the ideal time to hit him up with a Voodoo jam themed top 5’s! Enjoy!

Predict your top 5 for Pro Class Voodoo jam 2013:
Jesse Puente
Chad Johnston
Pete Brandt
Adam Kun
Justin Miller
Are you crazy,, im not gonna predict that! Hahaha!

Predict your top 5 AM class Voodoo jam 2013:
I cant haha i dont know anyone. haha

Favorite daily jobs to do leading up to Voodoo:
Aggravating Terry about sponsors
Picking up T-Shirts
Asking Hector to do something to the website and he takes two weeks. Ha!
Picking up friends from airport
Tweeting from the Voodoo Account

Favourite Battles in Voodoo jam history:
I really cant think of anything here. They all are awesome and we only had battles 2 times actually.

Riders you are most excited to see ride:
Tsutomu Kitayama
Waldemar Fatkin
Sergio Balu
Bert Ribul
Pretty much everyone though!

People your looking forward to hang out with:
JFB
Hiro Morisaki
Texas Riders
Japan Riders
Everyone Actually

Favourite Bourbon Street After Party moments:
Balcony 2012. Good times.
Japanese riders seeing the HUGE ASS BEER sign on Bourbon
Ron Monis and a woman that kinda was a dude. Nothing happen just a pic!
Anything with Aaron Frost
Chilling with my Texas homies

Voodoo pre-jam moments:
Sessions at my old house in garage.
Ucchie killing it first time here
#pralex rain session 2012
BBQ with all the riders
Waldemar getting sun burned

Tunes your most hyped to being playing at the event:
No Dub Step!
2 Chainz anything
Daft Punk
AF THE NAYSAYER for AM Finals
DJ Mkultra for the Pro Finals

Motivations to make Voodoo jam happen each year:
Family
Friends
Love for Riding
Keep something going for riders
And its a dam good time!!!!

Places to hang out when riders are in New Orleans for the Voodoo jam:
My house
Golf Spot
New Orleans restaurants
Bourbon Street of course
Pre Jam spot

Top 5 Voodoo Jam Fan moments:
Brian Mattai making Pro Trophies every year
Omari Cato Family Voodoo Jam earrings
Rat Rod Ralph picking up Dom from Airport
Fans buying the riders beers on Bourbon Street
Everyone that attends year after year and makes it special for the riders

People to thank for making Voodoo jam happen:
My lovely wife Kristi, Mia, Cameron and Brooke.
Voodoo Jam financial/sponsor director Terry Adams.
Alex Jumelin and Rapheal Chiquet for coming to Voodoo in 2004.
Hector Garcia Website / Logo Design Chief
Brian Mattai Pro Awards Director
All the riders that have ever come to enjoy the positive vibes and celebration of Flatland BMX at Voodoo.
Fans of Voodoo Jam, thank you for supporting the riders and letting them know you appreciate them.
Red Bull and @redbull504
Sponsors
Freegun, Flatlandfuel, Dans Comp, Headrush, St. Martin BMX, Deco, Monolithic, Purple Monkey, Sidual, ATI Clothing, Neue, DiversionTV, #Pralex

Peep Scott’s bikecheck promo edit that just dropped for his bikecheck over on Global-flat!

http://voodoojam.com/

Instagram: scottobmx
Twitter: @TheVoodooJam / @EmceeOB