Akihiko Takahashi: The Flatmattersonline 2022 Year End Awards Interview

Posted on May 30, 2023 by Effraim — 4 Comments ↓

Intro/Interview: Effraim.
Photos: York Uno.

It is time to catch up with winner of both Editorial and Reader Choice Must Watch edit of 2022, Akihiko Takahashi. Akihiko is a name you don’t hear much about, but when see or hear of a clip or part online from him you know it’s going to be serious. I wanted to pick his brain about his attitude towards riding, filming video parts, instagram vs parts, and so on. This is a good one, whilst you’re at it. Go and watch his amazing edit once again!

Congratulations Akihiko, you had a clean swoop winning both editorial and reader choice for “Must watch edit of the year”! How do you feel about winning the FM awards?
I was surprised, because my style is not what every rider likes. I am very honored.
Thank you so much to everyone who voted.

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Aude Cassagne: The Flatmattersonline 2022 Female Rider of the Year Interview

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Effraim — 3 Comments ↓

Interview: Effraim.
Photos: Aude/Stephane Bar.

What an impact Aude Cassagne made on flatland in the latter part of last year, it really is mind blowing to think she rocked up at the UCI World Championships in Abu Dhabi essentially cold on the contest scene, and the same week was announced onto arguably the best team in flatland, Heresy with an amazing edit (and she’s already dropped a fresh edit this year!). I wanted to know more after, Aude was voted Female Rider of the Year. Read on…

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5 Questions with Terry Adams: 2022 Red Bull Circle of Balance

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Effraim — 2 Comments ↓

The 2022 Red Bull Circle of Balance finals are just a few hours away, I catch up with hometown hero, Terry Adams to give him the 5 questions treatment. Enjoy this one!

5 Questions with Matt Wilhelm: Red Bull Circle of Balance 2022

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Effraim — 3 Comments ↓

5 quick Red Bull Circle of Balance related questions with the spin master himself, Matt Wilhelm. Enjoy!

Who’s next?

Scott O’Brien talks about the up & coming Red Bull Circle of Balance 2022

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Effraim — 4 Comments ↓

Interview: Effraim.
Photos: Voodoo Jam Photo Files.

With the return of the Red Bull Circle of Balance less than two weeks away, it’s time to catch up with Scott O’Brien who is MC’ing the 20th anniversary in New Orleans. I dubbed the COB the Super Bowl of flatland a while back and this is huge for flatland it’s back. It’s time to get into it with Scott and discuss this amazing event. Have you got your ticket?

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Hang 5 Podcast: Episode 26 / Travis Collier

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Effraim — 2 Comments ↓

Episode 26 of the Hang 5 Podcast just dropped with Travis Collier, over to Francois Debroux and TC!

“For this episode, we travel to New York state where Vancouver native Travis Collier is now residing. Growing up in the Vancouver Flatland scene of the late 90’s, Travis went to make a big impact on the flatland world with his unique style. One of the, if not the first one to use the pumping technique during combos. A very creative mind, he also designed some flatland products still in use today. After a successful pro career, he went on to found a design agency. That eventually led him to relocate to New York and work with some famous liquor brands.
Here is his story.”

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1164767/11200640

Mark Noble: Ride On Interview

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Effraim — 5 Comments ↓

Ride On talks to Mark Noble.mp4 from Neil Waddington on Vimeo.

This is one of those moments where I say grab a cuppa, set yourself an hour free to chill out on your couch, and tune into the Mark Noble Ride On Interview. Mark is the man behind Ride UK BMX Magazine and much more, and the man that encouraged me to start Flatmattersonline. Mark was also a flatland world champion. This is essential viewing, top work Waddy!

The Yoshihiro Shinde Flatmattersonline Interview

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Effraim — 9 Comments ↓

Intro/Interview: Yasuyuki Takeo.
Photography: Riku Shinde.

In the late ’90s, top Japanese flatland riders emerged from nowhere and started competing in the X-Games hosted by ESPN, the most prominent sports channel in the US.

By the early ’00s, it wasn’t surprising that Japanese riders were on the podium of international contests. The Japanese scene attracted riders’ attention worldwide, and they invented new techniques and trends one after another.

Yoshihiro Shinde has been one of the top riders in Japan for a long time. He continues to pursue Flatland while working as a product designer for an enterprise company on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

He is in his forties and does not ride BMX for a living. However, when he said he wanted to master BMX, his words somehow resonated with me. Even though I had left the BMX scene, I wanted to know what the word meant.

While many riders stick with only certain tricks, he has mastered all kinds of tricks since he started riding. Stating “I want to master BMX Flatland” would probably sound cliche, but I felt he was sincere in his view of Flatland and his weighty words.

He continues pursuing Flatland to master it, entirely different from riding for love, money, or fame. Here is his story.

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The Kio Hayakawa Flatmattersonline Year End Award Interview

Posted on May 6, 2022 by Effraim — 2 Comments ↓

Intro/Interview: Effraim.
Photography: Kio Hayakawa & Hikaru Funya.

Kio Hayakawa!! This young talent from Japan is making big waves in the global flatland scene. I met Kio for the first time at the X Games in Chiba, Japan and it was obvious the man is on a mission. Riding more than anyone else at the contest, and so consistent on all his new tricks. It’s kind of daunting to see, and I would imagine even more daunting for his competitors.
There is something wonderfully pure about his riding, and his work ethic. It’s kind of cheesy to say the future is bright for Kio, because he’s already here as is proven by his X-Games gold medal. He kicked the door down, and shouted loud and clear his intentions. His riding does the talking, hammers getting dropped with an amazing consistent ratio.. Let’s get into this interview with two years in a row Flatmattersonline Rider of the Year, and of course X Games Gold Medalist, welcome to the Kio Hayakawa Interview…..

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The Viki Gomez Flatmattersonline Year End Award Interview + Viki’s Must Watch Rise 4 Ever Part!

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Effraim — 14 Comments ↓

Intro/Interview: Effraim.
Photography: Jason Halayko.

Hello everyone,

After a few days break from my back to back trips to Lyon France and straight to Japan for the X Games. It’s time to get back to posting some content for you all at home.
And next up in the Fm year end award winner interviews is Viki Gomez, winner of the editorial choice for edit of the year 2021!
We discuss the award, filming the part, direction changes in Viki’s riding, motivations with contests vs edits, Titanium bikes and his new video part Rise 4 Ever (which you can watch below!