Yesterday was a good day for flatland, the return of flatland to the X Games after a 19 year hiatus. They started just like every other so far, you collect the bag with your covid 19 test on your door handle, get the test done.
Daily procedure, it is what it is. Boring part out the way, ready to enjoy the rest of the day.
From X Games alternate to X Games Gold, what a story for Kio Hayakawa who saved his best line for the final hitting a ridiculous blender 360 bike flip back to time machine ending with a downside foot jam decade out!
What a moment for Alex Jumelin winning his battles with Yohei Uchino and Moto Sasaki. Alex pulled his new 1080 nose manual to take a well earnt second place spot.
In third place, Moto Sasaki pulled one of the lines of the contest in his third place battle against Matthias Dandois, with a crazy hang 5 pivot to Xft crackpacker turbine into Xft backwards spinning crackpacker and ended with an amazing halfhiker pivot to opposite Xft halfpacker backwards hitch out.
That was intense! I will post a little repo tomorrow! Flatmatters at the X Games here in Japan, what a contest!!
Results.
1. Kio Hayakawa.
2. Alex Jumelin.
3. Moto Sasaki.
4. Matthias Dandois.
5. Terry Adams.
6. Viki Gomez.
7. Varo Hernandez.
8. Yohei Uchino.
Day 2 here in beautiful Chiba, Japan and my first full day at the X Games. The first nights sleeping is always so hard, and after waking p at 2am, I managed to fall sleep until 7am.
First things and breakfast was a fun catch up with the X Games organisers, and then caught up with riders, Broc Raiford, Terry Adams, Matthias Dandois, Varo Hernandez and many more.
After a breakfast it was time for the daily covid test, and then over to the venue, which I got a great view from breakfast.( Check the photo.)
The stage is set for the return of flatland to the X Games in Japan the home of modern day flatland I think it’s fair to say.
As I went to check in on my journey to Japan, the Japan airlines steward said “we can’t take a French PCR test you have to get it translated before you can board,” after a little bit of back and forth the head steward translated the PCR test. I thought for about an hour that I was going to be unable to make the trip to Japan, thankfully they saw sense and allowed me to check in at London Heathrow, the trip was smooth sailing after that point.
It’s a real honour to be invited to be head judge at a contest I competed in several times.
What a weekend in Saint-Yan, France for the First UrbanRuralRide contest, massive congratulations to Bruno Zebu taking the win in the Pro Class with video part tricks in his runs, absolutely incredible. The final battle with Bruno, Joris Bretagnolles and Alberto Moya, was a great display of the diversity that makes flatland so great, Bruno with technical front wheel pivotry, Joris killing it on the back wheel, and Alberto Moya riding at times in slow motion, and heckling the crowd as he’s riding. The energy was 100 percent natural and left me with a really good feeling on this event, and the weekend.
The “little prince” as they call him in France, Julien Baran took a well deserved fourth place spot killing it all weekend playing with the crowd mid blender, and stomping half cab whoppers to the pedals with authority out of long flowing lines. I said it before and I’ll no doubt say it again, this kid is knocking loudly on the door, look out!
It was great to be back judging as a live contest after over two years, and this event looks like it is here to stay I would say. The crowd were amazing all weekend long, the final battles in pro were amazing. Keiro Kuda stomping a huge half cab 720 in the best trick contest was one of the highlights of the weekend, his pop is amazing to see in person, if you were there or you have seen him ride you will know what I’m talking about, powerhouse!
60-70 riders in attendance throughout the weekend is a decent turnout, with so many fresh faces. Fellow judge Alexis Desolneux, commented that he hadn’t seen a lot of the riders in the AM and girls class. And the progression from the Fise Flatland academy crew was inspiring to say the least, not to mention the support they have for each other.
Big thanks to Joris, and Marion for a great event that put smiles on all our faces. It’s great to be back on the live contest season.
Off to X Games now!!!
Effraim.
Catching up on a busy contest weekend after my trip to Lyon. Over in the States, Round 1 of the 2022 AFA series went down in Houston, Texas. Congratulations to Mickey Gaidos taking the win in the Pro Class, Ed Jolie winning the Expert Class, Will Redd back from injury winning the Olds Cool Class, and Joseph Perez winning the Beginner Class. Thanks Todd Carter for sending in the results and podium shots!
What a day helping judge the UrbanRuralRide contest. We just got done with the event for today. Check out all the results below.
Bruno Zebu qualified first in the pro class, high level of riding and great vibes here in France! finishing the day with a fun best trick contest, such a good day! Props to Joris and Marion for this amazing event, loads of new faces, and smiling faces. It’s been great to be back at a live event.
Finals tomorrow!
Intro/Interview: Effraim.
Photography: Miguekimage, Linoescuris, UCI, Rafael Black.
It’s time to get into what I hope is the first of many interviews relating to the 2021 Flatmattersonline Year end awards and the winners. First up, we have Editorial Choice Breakthrough Rider of the Year, Varo Hernandez! Let’s get this rolling….
So much to love about this new edit from James White, from the creative riding style that asks the question, is this flatland or street? the no handed pedal slide at 2:15 I have never seen before, this edit just flat out made me smile. And reminded me that BMX is fun, and James looks like he’s having the most fun out and about in London. Not to mention a classic Gunshot track to boot. Go watch this one, and get there riding and creating!
Great compilation with Scottish shredder, Scott MacDonald. Scott was massively underrated back in the 80’s on the UK contest season, hit play to see what I am talking about!
