Sources: Dig, Ride BMX UK, www.fatbmx.com, ...
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Bart de Jong, www.fatbmx.com: BMX seems to have become a lifestyle in England. Skate sneakers, jeans, hooded sweatshirt, and either a beanie, hat or dreadlocks. The number of people walking around like that during the Bike 2001 trade show was amazing. In fact the whole trade show at the NEC was a success. It was even sold out on Sunday. Just imagine, getting up early, get in the car, drive all the way to Birmingham to see all the BMX pros and at the door they tell you that it is sold out. That would suck. Fortunately the Seventies crew had hooked me up with a neon green wrist band which allowed me to get in late after an amazing night out in the city.
The fearless crew had set up the ramps this year. Quite compact set up with a wall, spine, jump box, quarterpipe, bank to ledge but without a rail or grind bar. Jim Cielencki (Kink) didn't know what to do when he couldn't find something to grind on. He did 180 handplants over the spine to make up for it. A RedBull (vertical) halfpipe was set up next to the course which was surrounded by booths from a.o. RIDE, DIG, Seventies, Lord and 2and8. The bleachers were full all weekend long. Next year the spectator area should be a lot bigger.
The American riders that were in Palavas (except for Ryan) also made it to England for Bike 2001. On top of that FIT riders Mike Aitken and Rob Morales made it over and the Etnies crew (TM Nate Hansen, Nate Wessel, Rooftop, Griffin, Stricker), Ryan Sher and Berringer. Not bad for a weekend of fun in the UK. |
| VERT |
| Bart de Jong, www.fatbmx.com: The vert contest was won by Jay Miron. His style might not be as flowing as Garrett Byrnes' but Jay went mucho higher and did plenty of other stuff than carve the ramp. Achim Kujwaski went huge on the RedBull ramp. He has been riding these kind of ramps a lot over the years and if he sees the chance to go ride, he will. There might not be too many years left to have as much fun traveling the world riding a vert ramp. Boyle did a 180 from the top into the ramp and amazingly almost pulled it on his second attempt. As soon as UK talents Owen Clegg and Chris Mahoney get the vert pump down, it is time to watch out. Carlo Griggs showed up after the contest and Jay Miron took the microphone and called him out. After 11 years I actually got to see Carlo ride again and let me tell you, he still has it. His resi vert ramp is finished so he's in for more. |
Pro Vert: 1.Jay Miron 2.Ackim Kujawski 3.Jerry Galley 4.Josh Heino 5.Garret Byrnes 6.Owen Clegg 7.Jonas 8.(Tie) John Barnett 8.(Tie) Dennis Wingham 9.John Taylor 10.Chris Maoney 11.Richard Ball |
| STREET |
Bart de Jong, www.fatbmx.com: Let me tell you who won street. Yes, the guy from Malaga again. He also won best trick doing the manual on top of the wall. Rueben doesn't have to worry about food for the next couple of months after winning both Palavas and Bike 2001 (and best trick). The MacNeil rider did tailwhips over the box, fufanus on the ledge, manuals on the wall and the subbox 540 wallrides and all that good stylish stuff.
Other highlights of the riding action were Cielencki's 180 handplant over the spine, to see Mike Aitken jump the spine and the box, John Heaton's flip to peg-stall on the sub box, toothpicks both ways on the sub box by Dave "foot'nMouth" (Freimuth), Owen Clegg's wallride to barspin, Crisman's wallride to double barspin out, Dean cussing and throwing his ride, Mahony's double loop attempt (not quite a highlight, more scary), streakers running across the street course (Jay ran into one of them) and Garrett Byrnes' pool runs (he made it look he was riding a pool that wasn't there). Of course more went on but go to these events yourself next time. Be in time so you can get in. |
John Heaton flair to axle.
Martin Allemey nose bonk on the cover of Dig.
Pro Street: 1.Ruben Alcantara 2.Jay Miron 3.John Heaton 4.Bruce Crisman 5.Mike Aitken 6.Alistair Whitton 7.Mike Escamilla 8.Lee Mellor 9.(Tie) Garret Byrnes 9.(Tie) Owen Clegg 11.Ryan Sher 12.Nate Wessel 13.James Hichcock 14.Matt Berringer 15.Martin Allmey |