Repo + photos: Effraim.
What a day yesterday for the first round eliminations here in Abu Dhabi. 37c to deal with for the Mens Elite class, groups of 4 with 20 or so riders in the mix. A couple of riders had to pull out, Dustyn Alt got sick and Matthias Dandois pulled out, as his girlfriend is expecting their first baby together any day…
Congratulations to Kirara Nakagawa from Japan qualifying in the first place today with a flawless run, under the light here at Nation Towers in Abu Dhabi. Top 4 make the finals, so congrats also to Aude Cassagne, Julia Preuss, and Melissa Droll, level was great! So good to see, looking forward to the finals!
Congratulations to Moto Sasaki who qualified first here at UCI World Championships here in Abu Dhabi. Top 12 make tomorrows semi final. Congratulations to everyone who made it!
Repo + Photos: Effraim.
Sunday night I flew into Abu Dhabi for the UCI World Champs, with my trip to Japan last week for the Chimera A-side contest it feels like London Heathrow has become my second home.
This is my first time in Abu Dhabi, and after a smooth flight with Ethiad (also my first time flying with this airline). No issues with covid checks and wearing masks the flight was only six hours which felt like nothing compared to Japan the previous week.
Jamie Bestwick fresh from winning an Award at the BMX Hall of Fame the night before, was on the same flight. It was great to catch up with Jamie, and talk about the Bmx Hall of Fame, and the up and coming contest.
Congratulations to Kevin Jones, finally inducted to the Bmx Hall of Fame last weekend! This accolade has been a long time coming, when you think about Kevin’s contributions to modern day flatland and BMX in general it is hard to measure it truly. The inventor of the Hang 5 would be enough to have Kevin listed on the Hall of Fame, but there is so much more (as you all know or should know), there’s the Hitchiker, Backpacker, John Doenut, Circle K, Time Machine, Dump Truck, Death Truck, and many many more.
His video parts on Mark Eaton’s Dorkin’ in York videos have helped shape and change the progression of modern day flatland forever.
His acceptance speech during the award ceremony is so humble it speaks volumes of the man himself! You can tune in at 1:01:43 mark.
Photo credit: Brett Downs.
Iñigo Arroyo made a big impression during the Fise Montpellier contest back in the summer of this year and here documents his progression throughout the year! Well worth watching Iñigo tear it up on the front and back wheel, laced to a classic Netsky tune!
We don’t often see the background to photography shoots with riders, and one of my favourite flatland photographers recently, Jason Halayko met up with Viki Gomez last week for a session at Yohei Uchino’s park, Ucchie joins the session. It’s a fun watch, enjoyed this one and you may do too…
Nice to see some fresh Gabe Kadmiri this morning as I get into my Friday posts here on Flatmattersonline. Check out these clean regular and aft around the world lines Gabe is throwing down!
There was no way for Malte Orth to organise the annual Fight the Winter contest earlier in the year, so it was time for him to hit the Road. He was on the Road, February to March 2022. His Mission was to ride with as many of the riders from Germany as possible, that came to the ‘Fight the Winter’ Contest at one time. Love the concept of this one, flatland is a community thing and be dope to see more edits like this!
I am back home after the Chimera A-side contest, and catching up on a busy weekend around the globe for events. The AFA final round went down at the Battle in the Rockies in Colorado, congratulations to Alex Jumelin winner of the Pro Class, Gabin Jumelin for winning the expert class, Tom Haugen taking the Old’s Cool class, and Reid Arendall the beginner class. Look like a great turnout in Colorado, and Nathan Jumelin turning Pro and making finals is huge in a stacked field! Hopefully some footage soon, thanks Todd Carter for the results and podium shots…
