cover : JF boulianne by cHristian vanhanja
6 - edito by Patrick GUImez - photo Antony ÂŤCarpediemcreaÂť Magne
Time goes fast and all the ART crew is puting much efforts to give you a complete monthly content. One more time you have been so many to support us and we will never thank you enough for this. When we look at the speed our sport is growing, we’ll need even more pages to put all worlds infos we have. We made everything possible to give you this content dealing with local scenes but also big names reprensenting our sport at a top level. One thing is sure, bmx will be nothing without all riders and people around and in our world there is no space for power or hierarchy which mean nothing; only passion counts !! Hope you will enjoy this new issue and thanks again for giving us this energy to keep going for our common adventure.
start, coupe de france, Pernes Les Fontaines
8 - programme Photo Stan Evans / Red Bull Content Pool
Edwin Delarosa, NYC
10 12 14 18 22 24 26 28 30 38 40 48 58 60
Rendez-vous Shopping Mot-Ana show comics patocherie Max Bimar bike phil Dolan & james white Léopold Tramier Ryan NYQUIST Lea Silva Dobrowski Eddie Fiola Davis James photos Villarreal skatepark Adrien Bordes
62 66 70 76 80 90 92 96 98 100 108 116 122 138
TPG La muette Eastern Masters of dirt José Delgado kamal faraj Juan Páez photos Jacqueline Nix san diego trails Odd Time Tattoo Riders distrib Pernes Les Fontaines Jean François Boulianne Sifiso Nhlapo Fred Mairet OS Reunion
10 - rendez-vous ONK BMX DIRT / Helm Trails Helmond / Netherlands / 5.05.2013 UK Vert Series / Northamptonshire / UK / 5.05.2013 FISE 2013 / Montpellier / France / 8-12.05.2013 UCI SX WC Argentina / Santiago del Estero / Argentina / 11-12.05.2013 X-Games Barcelona / Barcelona / Spain / 16-19.05.2013 Trans Jam BMX Contest Series # 3 / Raleigh, NC / USA / 18.05.2013 King of Ground Round 1 / Japan / 18-19.05.2013 NL Contest / Strasbourg / France / 18-19.05.2013 festival des sports urbains / royan / France / 18-20.05.2013 Red Bull Dirt Conquers / Mexico / 24-26.05.2013 TPG Paris EGP 18 / Paris / France / 25.05.2013 monster BMX freestyle exams / Trinidad / 26.05.2013 Voodoo Jam / New Orleans / USA / 1.06.2013
carpentras bmx jam / carpentras / france / 1.06.2013 CityVoice / Grenoble / France / 6.07.2013 UCI SX WC Papendal / Papendal, Arnhem / Netherlands / 15.06.2013 Flat Al Parque International / Bogotá / Colombia / 29-30.06.2013 X Games Munich / Munich / Germany / 27- 30.06.2013 Trophée de France BMX / Serre Chevalier / france / 29-30.06.2013 BMX Worlds / Germany / Cologne / 12-14.07.2013 NASS / UK / 12-14.07.2013 Adrenalin Games / Gorky park / Russia / 21.07.2013 X Games L.A / Los Angeles / USA / 1.08.2013 Vigo Contest / Vigo / Spain / 9-11.08.2013 Trophée des Melons de Cavaillon / France / 24.08.2013 King of Ground round #2 / Kobe /Japan / 24-25.08.2013
12 - shopping
5th os bmx reunion
selection by alain massabova pull-in wrung puma ucchie
HARO RACE BLACKOUT PRO
Sunday Aaron Ross
SE BIKEs pk ripper 2013
PROPER
oakley Airbrake MX
cult BUTTER
Magnolia BMX Necklace
FBM Holeshot
superstar midnight
DK Golf Bag
Shadow
Profile Rasta BMX Hubs
casio G-shock
wrung
Stussy
sunday isostar Powertabs Cola
macneil northern Embassy Terrible One
ODYSSEY OIL SLICK
spank spike
dartmoor stream
Hoffman Bike Bama
14 - Mot-Ana show by Moana Moo-Caille - photos Antony «Carpediemcrea» Magne
The fall.
SO the sun is back, weather is getting warmer, days get longer and the sessions get much nicer… The spring is right over here and summer’s waiting just around the corner. It’s amazing to be able to ride the bike this time of a year. Race, trail, park- all is waiting for you to ride and I’m wishing you to enjoy it as much as you can. The only thing I want to remind you about this time is a fall… Yep, this element of riding which everyone prefers not to think about, makes a big part of our favourite and tender ‘EXTREME’ sport. I decided to pick up this topic after getting a ‘jolie boite’at the 6th French championship. It’s been quite a long time that I haven’t been falling at the contests and I need to say that it made me feel pretty relaxed. The result is that I ended up having a little fracture which stopped me from riding for two weeks (in fact nothing serious), but the things could have turned up much more serious. In race more than another BMX disciplines, the speed and the fact that there are 8 of you riding the 6 metre trail are two reasons (not the only ones) which make your fall downs quite serious. There is nothing new about it. All the riders are aware of the risk they are taking. But what I’d like to do, is to make sure you protect yourself. When I still was in Frotignan team, which means between 10 and 16 years I had fun riding at a workout in shorts and in a half helmet. I was telling myself that in a half helmet I had this crazy style. Not to forget the times when I was riding in Peynier without a helmet, as almost all the riders did. Also I found elbow and knee protection quite ugly so didn’t wear it a lot for riding. But today when I see how damaged my knees look like, and the amount of stitches I had, I think that probably I shouldn’t have been keen on the way I look like so much… Helmet, gloves, knees and elbows protection, pull-over and pants are the minimum. It’s ridiculous that I had to stay away from the bike for a couple of weeks after just sliding on the dusty turn and being dropped off the bike. Please, take care of yourselves, your health and listen to your body… Falls always happen when we are least waiting for them, so protect yourself.
22 - patocherie by patrick guimez - photo PACO images
Just back from MOD tour that you ll see in the mag. One more time my bike maked me travel and I can see some places I will never have thought before.Who will have told me one day that I will have been to Serbia for example ? When I see that I just realize how lucky I am and how life is better with travels. Those trips open your mind and also show you diverse cultures and mentality. When we say that trips make people better, I’m sure it’s true !! Even after almost 20 years, I keep learning everyday and I feel more and more peaceful. Of course, all this got a cost but try to organize yourself and try to see differents things, you will tell me about it !! I still have many things to see fortunately and some of those make me dream litteraly but I’m not in a hury and I know that everything will come in time. There’s something that I learnt too, this is the fact of living the present as it comes but also the fact of not throwing myself too much in the future cause by planning everything we forgot about life and enjoying every single moment. Those words don’t mean that it’s cool to do nothing and see how it goes, it means that it’s nice to know where we want to go and from there appreciate every seconds we spend on earth. No time for regrets so lets live this one as good as we can !!!
24 - my bike - france Photo riding Morgan Mathurin
max bimar BIKE check :
Frame : Deluxe Sacre bleu 21.1“ Fork : Ands fork - 23 Forks Stem : Deluxe - F power stem Bar : Deluxe Bar V2 XXL Combo Seat : Deluxe - Super light seat leather Seat clamp : Deluxe - Seatclamp Grips : Deluxe - Shovelhands grips Brake lever : Odyssey - Monolever Cable : Odyssey Brake : Eclat - Unit U brake Headset : FSA
Chain : Shadow Pedals : Deluxe - F lite pedals. Crank : Super star - Duty crank. Front tire : KHE MAC 2 DIRT Back tire : Kenda - Kontact Elite 1.95 SRC front wheel : Deluxe F lite wheel back wheel : Deluxe F lite wheel. Weight : 11 kg. Favorite part :
The signature on my frame “Sacre bleu!”. So I made a frame for a bike specially for the small
slopes, but certain riders loved it even for the fast and stable ride. The geometry I used gives a bike certain stability. Long and steep jumps this frame is for those who are passionate about technical combos. The angle of the direction is 74.5. Dropouts let the bike permit to set the length of the chain. The angle of the seat is 72 balancing the frame a bit more to the front which makes the angle of 71. The bike is proposed in 3 sizes. 20.7“, 21.1“, 21.5“. This is an incisive frame with the excellent stability and I’m just so proud of it!
26 - Flat kings - uk photo marie meuret
phil dolan & james white
James White
Flatland…. A journey of self discovery and artistic perfection! Blah Blah Blarrrrgggh! Excuse me while I’m sick! Right now, Flatland is a nagging back pain, the loss of movement in my neck and a throbbing fat thumb! I can’t tell you what flatland is, why the desire keeps burning in me, it just does and I don’t question it. I don’t question why the first thing I do every morning is look out the window to check the weather, no matter what. Don’t question how I can tell the time of day by the dog walkers that pass by. Why my heart starts pounding at the sight of a baron piece of asphalt. Why my quest for the perfect shoe never ends. Why my mind wonders ? Why I want to leave work early, the sun to be shining, the floor to be dry and the time to be mine ? I can’t tell you what flatland is but my life sure would be empty without it. Phil Dolan
I love ‘freestyle’ bike riding for progression evolution and growth! BMX is like a big cake that everyone contributes layers to and because the level is growing it becomes tastier and more interesting! The more people ride the more diverse and rich it will become.
28 - maxi best-of - france photos Hugo Bagneres
Léopold Tramier Top 5 of riders to influence you.
Top 5 at JO 2016:
Top 5 riders you love to watch
Top 5 of tracks for the ride:
1) Mike Day; just a pleasure for the eyes 2) Nick Long: fast and careful 3) Joris Daudet: Posessed, fast and powerfull 4) Kris Fow: crazy style 5) Fields: agressiv and original, sometimes even too much
1) House of pain “Jump around” 2) 50 cent “In da club” 3) Notorious BIG “Iptnotize” 4) I ce cube “Checkyourself” 5) Dr. dre and Snoop Dogg “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang”
Top 5 of your favourite spots
Top 5 of things to take with me:
1) Steven Cisar:for his riding style and smooth 2) Kyle Bennet: for his career in BMX (Ride in Peace KB) 3) Babba Harris: for his style 4) Robert De-Wilde: also for his style unique and his personality 5) Joris Daudet: for his workouts and contests
1) Copenhagen SX: super-fast, to ride with big jumps which giver an incredible feeling of fun, pleasure and insane rapidity. 2) Birmingham: Jump high, ride fast. This spot is different from any spots in France by massive combos. 3) Manchester SX: very clean spot and fast as well thanks to the first turn 4) Creps Bordeaux: Extremely original spot to have fun at. 5) Creps Bourgers: Original and fast with crazy ‘pro-sec’” Top five destinations to dream about:
1) USA 2) Australia 3) Reunion island 4) New Zeland 5) Tahiti
1) Stomberg 2) Daudet 3) Willers 4) Willougby 5) Fields
1) My ipod for chilling 2) My glasses Oakey 3) My cap StayStrong for my crazy hair 4) My bottle to drink from 5) My energy- diet for healthy eating Top 5 of the hottest girls on the spot:
1) Dana Sperengers 2) Lauren Reynolds 3) Sarah Walker 4) Alice Post 5) Axelle Etienne
Top 5 of things I don’t like about BMX:
1) Arthur Goarin (hahaha) 2) Lilian Goux, we often compete for the places 3)4)5) 3 guys after me in the rank
1) 8 borne trails 2) Flat tussocks 3) Too fast connected sleeves 4) Flat turns on the ground 5) Personal numbers at European championship
Top 5 of mates beside the spot:
Thanks to ?
Top 5 concurrents for the 2013:
1) All my mates from the south 2) All my mates from Creps in Bordeaux 3) All my mates from my old schools 4) All my mates from Bourges 5) And all the others that I’ve might forgotten, BIG UP!
All my sponsors and co-sponsors : STAYSTRONG, CLARK AND KENT CONTRACTORS, BENSINK BMX GATES, ROCKSTAR ENERGY, FREEGUN, TROYLEE DESIGNS, OAKLEY, BOX COMPONENTS, KMC, ALIENATION, PROFILE RACING, ODI, ANSR RACING and GT. DN of Bordeaux, CREPS of Bordeaux, my parents, all my mates and everyone who has been supporting me. And, finally, to ART BMX magazine for this Maxi Best Of. Braaaaappp
30 - FACE - usa par patrick guimez - photos christian vanhanja & Nicholas Schrunk / Red Bull Content Pool - thanks to Yann Delomez / Hopscotch
Ryan Nyquist Ryan is a good example of big success in BMX. Who else is blessed to have such a long and successful career? Ryan is excellent in any style. He is not only talented, he also one of those people who are always in a good mood, smiley and never talk much about their success. Read this interview which will make you want to get to know better this amazing rider, to who we wish long years of riding and who will always be there to amaze us.
Red Bull Stomping Ground 2010 - Chicago. Ryan Nyquist stepped up the transfer most people were doing by crushing a 720 over it. photo Nicholas Schrunk
Presentation.
Ryan Nyquist, 33 years old. Reside: San Jose, CA. Years of riding professionally since 1996. Sponsors: Haro Bikes, Rockstar Energy, Osiris, Bell Helmets, CTI Knee Braces, Jiffy Market of Los Cabos. First of all thank you for your time and the interest that you bear for A.R.T. BMX (we should also mention that you are now on the cover of our first webzine edition). Ryan could you give us a quick return on your debuts in BMX and what pushed you to continue this sport rather than another?
From a young age, I always loved bicycles in general, a love of 2 wheels and the ability to just be able to pedal to where I needed to go, be it a friend’s house or a jumping spot or anything like that, I just loved being able to get up and go. Eventually I learned I could take it to a different level with dirt jumping or riding ramps, and I met a group of people who really enjoyed doing the same thing, and that’s what got me involved in the sport and kept me pushing to do bigger and better things.
Your image has really surfaced at the time of the ‘Haro’ team with Dave Mirra and of course the famous video game of the same name. What memories do you take from this period, and to delve more closely in the world of video games, could you give us some details on the design and conception of the latter? Any special story associated with it you’d like to share with us?
I have a lot of good memories, it was a fun time, the BMX industry as a whole was just thriving, it was crazy how fast bikes were being sold and the growth of the sport was just massive. It was a really fun time because we were travelling, we were doing a lot of contests, we were having a good time, and everyone from the industry was on a high. When we were designing the video game it was really cool because they wanted to design courses based on places we actually rode, so for me it was really cool because I got to incorporate the skate park I grew up riding, and the town where I grew up. As far as the tricks, we wore these full body spandex suits with reflective balls which captured the tricks we were doing, so when you see tricks in the video game that was actually us. We actually used to joke amongst ourselves because some of the tricks didn’t look so great and we used to guess which of us had done that one. Of course all of my tricks were perfect (laughs).
You are one of those rare people in the world who have fought through the years and all this without a wrinkle; you are a regular of podiums and victories whether on dirt or in parks, what is your secret? After all these years, do you still preserve the same pleasure going to competitions or would you rather like to focus on something else?
I don’t know! My secret would just be to stay young at heart and to stay driven. It’s hard to stay motivated at times when you’re doing the same thing year after year, but I think for me it’s that constant challenge of putting myself into a pressured situation, you know everyone is looking at you and expecting you to pull the run, and if you can pull that off that’s a feeling that never gets old. I love going to competitions all over the world. I like to be in that situation to challenge myself to do something bigger and better than you thought you could do. Maybe down the line I could see myself maybe getting burnt out and wanting to try something else but right now I just want to compete and keep getting better.
You are what is called a ‘barspin maniac’ with sequences which only you have the secret and knowhow to perform. How do you direct your riding? Do you try to make any kind of figure or do you let your imagination take over, as much as your desires?
When it comes to the bar spin stuff I have always enjoyed doing them, and it has come naturally to me to try different stuff and when it works to build on that and try new stuff, and that’s kind of been my progression, it’s just seeing what’s possible, doing that, and not stopping and keep looking for the next trick, trying to constantly keep it fresh. When it comes to inventing tricks, it comes at different times. It might just pop into my head on a plane or over dinner, or if I’m chatting to the boys and they say “you should try that”. Sometimes you stumble upon tricks by accident, something happens and it just inspires you to try a new move out.
At a time when high BMX saddles are becoming rare, you always kept your own settings; what is your thought on this “fashion” generation who prefer to enhance their looks rather than the practical side of things? When will we ever see a video of Ryan with skinny jeans and a saddle as low as possible?
Whatever you feel is good for you is what you should do. If you don’t like high seats, don’t do it, but if it helps you, do! I have always done what I am comfortable with, and what feels good to me, I don’t follow the trends. At the end of the day it’s me riding the bike and it’s me taking the crashes if that doesn’t work. Skinny jeans aren’t for me – especially if I had to wear pads on top of them. I can’t ride with a low seat, and I’d probably lose half my tricks if I tried with a low seat, so don’t expect to see me like that!
In recent years, you have been a victim of a lot of operations that have sidelined you for some time but you’ve come back at the top of your form, what have you done have to go so fast and strong? Did your wounds t have an impact on your morale, or on the contrary have they made you come back even stronger?
Honestly I didn’t feel it was that fast a recovery. I got on the bike as soon as I felt I could without getting hurt again, but the process of regaining my confidence took a long time. I was actually competing and still unsure what was going to happen and if I’d be able to do it, so it was an ongoing process that I was trying to accomplish, and it wasn’t til the end of the year that I was really feeling 100% confident again so it was quite a drawn-out process where I kept having to remind myself “this worked before you got hurt, I’m sure it will work again”. When you come back from an injury like that it takes time, so you start to question whether you’ll ever get back to the level you had before, or whether it’s the beginning of the end, but most importantly I had to make sure that I believed in myself. When you’re in a situation that everything’s on the line and you have to take risks, you just have to remember yourself that a few months earlier you were doing this, and you don’t forget that stuff so quickly, so I just had to keep reminding myself throughout that process.
We regularly see each other on different contests, and I must say that the thing that most characterizes you is your smile and your good mood. Do you sometimes have pressure or do you keep seeing your sport as a game, and above all one that’s done with pleasure?
Thank you very much! There is definitely a time and a place when I’m smiling and having a good time, but just before I roll I get very focussed and very serious, concentrating hard on what’s about to happen. When that’s done it’s all laughs, I
worlds, cologne 2012, photos C. vanhanja
enjoy practicing with my friends and joking around, but when competition time comes around it’s all down to business. I take competitions very seriously. If you had to name three people you could go with for a year road trip, who would they be? And why? For you, should BMX be practiced only with friends or is that a minor consideration ?
Probably my brother Shay (Hawkins) because he can adapt to anything and he’s a ridiculously fun guy to have around and lends himself to anything and is super creative, second person would be... (long pause)... Rob Darden because he’s easy to be with, we’re good mates, and we have a good time together, and the last person I’d like it to be someone I had never really ridden with, I don’t know who, but road trips are all about getting to know people, and that’s the great thing about BMX, making new friends, so I would leave that third spot open. It’s always nice to ride with friends, especially close friends who know your style of riding and vice-versa. You can make
skyline, paris, photos C. vanhanja
suggestions and push each other, talk trash, whatever! But I also enjoy riding with people I don’t normally ride with because there are so many outside influences in BMX and what one person does or sees might be completely different from you and you can definitely draw a lot from competing with different people. You’ve participated in the Redbull skyline in France which you’ve won, what is your opinion on this new type of contest with oversized modules? Do you think our sport should go in this direction to reach more of the general public?
I like the Red Bull Skyline event a lot. It was amazing to be able to go to a venue like that, it was incredible and beautiful, and then to have the course all upsized. I’m a big fan of big ramps, and I was so excited about it. I put on a bigger gear in order to be able to go faster and higher, and I hope they put on another one in the future because it was definitely an enjoyable event.
x games 2012, los angeles, photos C. vanhanja
Ryan in 10 years, how do you see him? Rather settled and away from the BMX world or would you still roam the world in search of new sensations? By the way, what does travel represent to you?
I don’t know. I always thought I’d be done with riding when I was 30, but I’m now approaching 34 and still feel strong and motivated. So, 10 years from now I’ll be 44... I don’t know (laughs). Let’s just go 5 years from now and just say that hopefully I’ll still be riding, healthy motivated and progressing still. I don’t see myself out of the sport any time soon. I very much love what I do and I’ll probably continue on. Travelling is amazing. There are times when I’d rather be at home relaxing because it gets taxing, trip after trip after trip, but at the end of the day I realise how lucky I am to be able to travel the world and meet people and see things, I mean travel is something that a lot of people don’t get to experience, and I have been lucky enough, not only to do it extensively, but on other people’s money. I hope to continue to travel more and see new things.
You now have a program where you test various new things and even new tricks; where did this idea come from? You seem to take an awful lot of fun in this, and we like to see that! By the way, is there any remarkable or outstanding story that occurred in your program which you could share with us?
The programme’s name is “Getting Awesome” and it’s a Youtube show, and they basically just let me take control of it, so what I thought would be fun would be really cool, unique stuff to do. We came up with a bunch of concepts like tall bike jousting and we make a wake-board bike, and it was really cool the whole creative process of making the obstacles and the bikes. The wake-board bike was one that we didn’t know if was going to work – it pretty much came down to when we made it, we put it in the water, it didn’t float, and we had to wrap life jackets around it to make it float! We were on the edges of our seats to see if it would work when the cameras were rolling.
If you had to change something in BMX as a sport, what would it be?
I kind of like it the way it is. I think it has a lot of different personalities and styles. I guess if there was one thing I would change it would be for people to be more original and think for themselves and follow their own path instead of learning the next hot trick and being one of 15 guys doing it. Everyone has their own ideas and they should follow that and the sport would thrive so much more, you would see so many different sides to the sport, it would be amazing. Message to share ?
This year 2013 I’m hoping is a big one for me with the X Games global expansion. It’s going to be a lot of travelling, a lot of really cool spots, and I’m just really excited to start because this is a major advancement for our sports, and the fact we’re bringing everything to the international stage is nothing but a positive thing. Thanks ?
Thanks to my sponsors, thanks to my friends and family, and anyone who has ridden with me or given me a high five or a smile! French nightmare message ?
Oh you will be my French nightmare will you?! Well you have beaten me a couple of times so I can’t take that too lightly... but if you’ll be my French nightmare then I’ll be your... umm... your American... Dream?! Haha, yes, I’ll be your American Dream, how about that? I’ll kill you with kindness...
38 - girlz - USA photos Nathan Silva
Lea Silva Dobrowski Where did you grow up and what is your current location?
I grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, and I still live here! What sparked your interest in BMX and what keeps you loving it?
I went to a JOMO contest one year and watched the flatlanders and it made me want to learn. It looked so awesome and difficult, I had to do it. BMX is an outlet, a passion, and something that just makes life more enjoyable. After my surgery for my shoulder I could not ride for awhile and my life seemed less happy without riding while I was recovering.
in jeans and a tank or t-shirt with a pair of Nike’s if I am riding, and usually boots if I am not. I don’t know fashion wise I think I am a bit of a hipster, but I am totally fine with it. All I know is this, my style on or off a bike is always a bit weird and that’s what makes us different. A word of advice, and not just because I am sponsored by a company that sells belts, always ride with a belt. Once I rode a contest without one and I pretty much mooned everyone with no knowledge of it LOL.. That’s me! What drew you to be involved with Armourdillo Belt Co.?
Around the world there are a lot of BMX riders that are women, but I rarely get to ride with any of them. Most of them are ramp, street, and/or dirt riders so it be a different scene for me than Flatland, but that wouldn’t stop me from riding with them! But most times I am riding with male riders, competing against male riders, and trying to figure out how to ride with more female riders. But it is not that big of a deal. Of course women riders will be bashed here and there, or hit on... a lot, but you have to learn to let that stuff roll off your back. I wish there was a bigger women’s BMX scene around my area though.
Kyle Cole is part of the team and called me up one day telling me he had great news. He told me Armourdillo was interested in me. I lit up. After that incident at the contest I had made sure I always had belts with me, so I was super stoked to know that I would now be getting sent these colorful off the wall belts, and wallets! I carry two wallets with me so clearly I was happy about that. But Armourdillo is such a rad company. They always check in with their riders, always ask if we need anything, sell products that last, I should know since I seem to break everything, and they were super understanding when I was recovering. I couldn’t have asked to be on a better team, and I couldn’t have dreamed of being on a team that sends me such rad product! Thanks guys!
Favorite tattoo and what does it mean to you?
Shout-outs?
What is the community like for girls in BMX?
I could not even answer that. My side piece is for my grandma’s and my mom, Team McDuff is a friends BMX team that they asked me to be in, so that tatt means a lot to me, and my good friend Effraim’s website is on the inside of my arm. So those three all together are my favorite. How would you describe your style both on and off the bike?
HAHA. Well I try to find my style when riding bikes and I have come to like finding the little things that make the things I do on bikes a bit harder, but I would not say I am always smooth. And you will usually always find me
My mom, she is super awesome, My husband Nathan Silva who helped me get all my pictures done and helps me learn new tricks, not to mention he helps me through life, Team McDuff, My lil riding buddy, all my BMX pals out there who have been great friends, Kyle for helping me get on with Armourdillo, Crux Division without them I would have an old heavy bike, and Armourdillo for helping support me and my riding! I can’t forget Alain Massabova, he has helped me out by giving me interviews, and put out some motivating videos to top it off.
40 - legend - usa by seb ronjon, Franck belliot, alain massabova & oldschoolbmx france - intro seb ronjon photos james casimus, mark gray, Tony Donaldson & windy osborn - thanks to Jeremy Moser
eddie fiola
1982 - photos james casimus
Sunday, December 2, 1984, double-locked home, I religiously turn the TV to watch live the event that will change the lives of a bunch of French kids on TF1, the first BMX International Paris-Bercy ! No website at this time, very few VCRs, this was live or nothing, the first time we saw BMX on TV, a crazy thing, some animated «Bicross Magazine» ! Once the races with the pros Americans have finished, the ultimate shock: a Californian superhero, dressed all in yellow, literally blew the place up with his aerials! His name, Eddie Fiola, «The King of the Skateparks», the symbol of an entire generation! He was the first U.S. freestyler to put France on fire. He’s the symbol of the eighties, the best times of freestyle, pulling the best airs in concrete parks far from being perfect at this time. And in addition from being the source of the legendary GT Pro Performer bike, he is the rider who has accumulated the highest number of magazine covers around the world! Well, a legend! He returns to the spotlight with his own BMX brand as an achievement of a career that is not ready to finish...
2013, the EF, photo Tony Donaldson
Between the 80ies and now, what did you do ?
Well I got married, had a little girl and have been working as a stuntman, stunt coordinator for movies, commercials, and TV shows. Most recently I started my own bike company. Are you a nostalgic of the 80ies, the golden age of BMX ?
If you were writing a history book, I guess I would be in it, but for me it was just a way of life and I could not have predicted the impact on peoples lives this sport would have thirty years later. What do you think about the BMX today, the new school ?
to be back to France this August. I wish I had more photos and really spent time understanding the amazing culture. I was young and all I did was ride. In your BMX life, what are you the most proud of?
Good question… I am proud that I stayed focused on the bike and made it my mission to be the best I could be. What would be your life if you had not signed to GT ?
Definitely not the same. GT was my soul mate and the partnership was incredible.
It has lost the professionalism that we had. Back in our day, you were judged by your performance and your appearance. Nobody cares about a uniform or shoe color which I think is sad. It is also funny that there are so many different types of riding. In our day you were either a Racer or Freestyler, and with the addition of jumping and street the sport does become a lot more appealing to a wider group of riders.
How was Gary Turner with you ? Did you design the Pro Performer ?
What’s your best memories in Bercy (1984, Paris, France) ? What do you think of French people ?
Where did you find the idea to ride BMX in a skate park ?
It was a huge crowd that was really overwhelming… The French people were amazing and Bercy remains one of my favorite events ever. I can’t wait
Long Beach 1984 - photos james casimus
Gary is a dear friend of mine even today. The collaboration on the Performer was kinda like this… “Gary, I want to spin my bars, can you bend this tube so the brake will clear? Then he would do it. The final platform design was collaboration with Bob Morales after we were riding on Gary’s race bikes and needed a place to stand on the frame.
I was always riding quarter pipes and I remember seeing photos of Tinker Juarez in a magazine riding the pools. So my first pool experience was in Lakewood, CA amongst all the skaters of the day.
Upland 1984 - photos james casimus
photo Windy osborn
With your impressive career, what didn’t you do yet ? So, what’s your dream ?
I have been very fortunate to have no regrets, and I am living my dream with the launch of my first bike, the EF|PROFORMER.
Do you regret something in your BMX life ? Would you change something if it was possible ?
No regrets… I live life to the fullest everyday.
Lakewood 1982 - photos james casimus
How do you see the revival of oldschool BMX ? The passion of the forty something for their first BMX bike ? Would you have imagined that?
No one can take away the feeling of being a kid with a bike… As we become older and watch our kids grow up it is important to have that feeling resurface. I get on a bike and forget about all the problems in my life. I think this is true with everyone who rides. It is exciting that the revival is so strong, but it doesn’t surprise me.
What’s the hardest tricks for a 50 years old man ?
I am only 48, but the answer is getting up off the ground from a missed trick. You are in the movie business, what are your best movies ?
There are so many‌. I think RAD might be the best, because I played myself, doubled for Cru Jones, and Christian. The dozens of other movies I have been in are only support positions and I never get to play myself.
ef proformer dropout
2012, eddie at home - photos mark gray
about ef bike co, Why Yellow ?
My career exploded at the same time I was head to toe in yellow. It is what people think of when they remember me.
Why a limited serie, there is no complete collection ?
I liked it.
This bike can be setup for any kind of rider… old school, to modern school. I have always supported individuality and this collection lets you build it any way you want. The rider buying my bike is savvy enough to make their own decisions, I don’t have any desire to be saying they have to do it a certain way.
What’s the story of EF bike company? Why now?
And what think GT and Gary Turner about EF ?
Why the name “Proformer” ?
This is one of the dreams I have always had. I found someone to help me get it done and I think we are filling a niche for American made multiuse BMX bikes like we had back in the day. Everything has become so homogenized that it was time to mix it up. You can’t tell one brand from another on the TV. I think that’s sad, so I am offering an alternative in the EF|PROFORMER. Why does it look like the GT Pro Performer ? Is it a perfect Pro Perfomer ?
Because I designed both… and the design is recognizable across the room. It is the most perfect bike I have ever had, because I decided every detail instead of someone interpreting what I wanted. There is always a critic and if I did a split top tube, people would say I copied Haro, so stick to what I know and what works.
2013, the birth of EF bike co... photos mark gray
Gary loves it and has been very supportive through the development. Last word and thanks ?
I want to thank you for the effort to include me in the issue. This is truly an honor that I take seriously. I also want to thank every person who reads this interview. You are the reason I stay so motivated to keep living my dreams. Sometimes I feel like I get more from the fans than I can give… It is very exciting time of life with the launch and another dream come true. Hey France… This August I am visiting Cavaillon Old School reunion and hope to meet all of you. This trip I want to really take some time and enjoy the beauty of the country and its people.
48 - photo - USA
davis James
Diego Tejada
Being asked to write a bio about yourself for a photo portfolio feels similar to being asked in an interview «why you feel you deserve the job.» It’s an awkward thing to do. With that being said I’ll get over it and get started... My name is Davis Finn James, and I am 27 years young from Houston, Texas. I have been riding BMX since 1997 and shooting photos for about 11 years. I began shooting in High School when they began to offer a 35mm B/W darkroom class. I had fun with it and made a few memorable images; mostly of my BMX in random places. Coincidentally, soon after I began that class I got a job working in the photo-lab at a CVS pharmacy near my parent house. I have been shooting photos ever since. The best advice I could ever give an aspiring photographer is to do the best with what you have. Whether it’s a DSLR with 3 flashes or a Polaroid camera with none; get the shot! Finnfotography.com
58 - spot - costa rica By Luis ElĂas Benavides
Villarreal skatepark
Joe Varela
The Ministry of Education, Leonardo Garnier
Have you ever imagined having a skatepark in your school in exchange for good grades? This could have been the dream of many old generations, and now it is a reality for up and coming generations, at least in Costa Rica. This great project was born due to poor academic performance and misconduct of a group of skaters in Villarreal high school and the wide futuristic look of several institutions that wanted to put aside the old methods to correct students and employ a new approach that would encourage them to be better every day. Thanks to institutions such as the Ministry of Education, the community of Villarreal, Fundación Acción Joven (Youth Action Foundation), CEPIA Association, the Embassy of Australia, DINADECO, CEMEX, Amigos de la Educación (Friends of Education) Florida Foundation, Nasional Skateboards, among others, the dream of these youngsters took shape on March 10th, amid a pompous opening ceremony which was attended by the Min-
ister of Education himself, Leonardo Garnier, and various representatives of these institutions. It is worth mentioning here the hard work of José Aguilar Berrocal, president of the Youth Action Foundation, who pledged from the beginning to follow up on this project in order to improve the human quality of some “hopeless” students. During this ceremony, several cultural, musical, and artistic activities took place, which were followed by a skate and BMX exhibition by locals and riders from other parts of the country. Villarreal’s high school has set the standard that may well be imitated by other educational institutions. Under the slogan «Indifference is aggression,» the Youth Action Foundation calls for the inclusion and integration of students with different needs and tastes. The most encouraging part of this activity was, perhaps, having heard that this will not be the last skatepark to be built within a public school. How many of you would like to go back to school?
Esteban Cubero
60 - what’s up - france by Moana - photos Antony «Carpediemcrea» Magne
Adrien Bordes
Adrien was considered to be the young hope of BMX in France after he’d shown himself on the first year of riding as a Junior. Member of the French Team based in Aix en Provence, from his turn up in September 2005-, he would probably be one of the best riders by now. Unfortunately a very serious injury made him stop his career and pushed away from the biggest passion of his life.
Hey, Adrien, it’s been a couple of years we haven’t seen you riding. For those who doesn’t know you well, please tell us a bit about yourself.
Hey! Yeah, it’s true! Last time, it was two years ago, I had a chance to ride at France championship in Marseille, I haven’t been to anywhere else since then. My best result was my win in the French Championship in National category in 2004 (Same as Elite 2 today). In 2004 I was the 5th in general classifying in European Championship, it was my first year as a Junior. I got injured in 2005.
Unfortun ately your injury made you stop your career in 2006. What happened?
Yes, it’s true. Well, I was riding in the Mours before the World Championship in Frejus. Ilost the balance while jumping. SO I put my leg off to land the bike and not to fall down, but sadly my ankle didn’t handle the hit. Result: open fracture of tibia fibula, talar dislocation, tear of internal ligaments and cartilage… OUPS
After 7 surgeries I’m now able to walk normally, but I can’t really do any sports now including BMX. This incident of course made me see the things differently, though I’m still very sad I got injured and my career was over this way. And so how did you move on?
Well, after the accident I’ve done my degree and then I studied in French Commercial school (Euromed management) to get Master degree in marketing and communication. Today I’m working as a manager in Abercrombie & Fitch store in the centre of Paris. I love my job even though it keeps me very busy. I have to admit that I miss BMX world a lot. Maybe I’ll be working in this sphere later one day. A couple of words to say for those who will be reading this itw ?
I’m very grateful to my parents who made me study a lot when I was young, because it helped me to move on after an accident. Thanks to my brother who helped me a lot and as well to all my friends. The most important in my opinion is to know yourself, know what your goals are and be able to move on and achieve your goal no matter what. I’d like to say hi to everyone who still remembers me, if there is anyone! And good luck to all the frenchies in all types of contests. Maybe see you soon!
62 - event - france by fred mairet - photos peka devĂŠ
TPG la muette
michel dos Santos, flair
2nd stop of the Trophées Parisiens de la Glisse (Parisian contest) and for sure, as a you know, in april keep your jacket ! And then, the riders came slowly. The dark weather didn’t deter the TPG warriors who came kill this feared bowl.
Raphaël Studer - manual bus out
Despite a little rain, we could see fly Ghislain Fremont as a condor or Antoine Mallier pulled his run in that concrete park. Michel Dos Santos heat up the fan club of girly (from 16th district of Paris) in flair and superman on the hip. As for Mr Magnan, the choice was simple : break the pool with some furious ice pick grind to fakie. Tony Carneiro made his show with a kind wall ride to whip out from nowhere. And then the street riders were able to use the pegs and throw some bus driver to I don’t know how to describe… Thomas Charrier came from his province did not expect to ride in the shower and yet that it was successful! Mister Charrier went to the dark side of the force to link some foot jam to vador to suicide with a whip or a bus to start. We will note the good performance of Maxile Tetot, Jordan Thibaut, Raphaël Studer or Mika Grossi ! Time2Ride would like to thanks every riders at the contest and the partners (Mairie de Paris, Zoo York, Monster, Pull In, Pago, La Crémerie, Clandé Distribution, Soul Bmx Mag et Art Bmx Mag). Rendez-vous the 25th may for the TPG final at the EGP18 park, it may break the concrete…
Jordan Thibaut, 180 bus
66 - event - europe by patoche - photos PACO images
MOD Eastern tour Only a month after the huge success of Masters of dirt in Vienna, the world famous show came back with the eastern tour including 3 top destinations as Zagreb, Ljubljana and Belgrade !!!
Patrick guimez, Double flip, Lubljana
One more time the MOD family showed to the massive crowd what is freestyle but also party. Imagine 30 people on tour for ten days, enjoying their life and sharing good moments and ready to prove that masters of dirt is simply the best show in the world. FMX, quad, sled, pit bike, bmx and mtb tow-in and last but not least the fuel girls, Dj mosaken and torsten who turn the crowd simply crazy every single night. As every freestyle show, our sport is dangerous and we all wish the best to alastair sayer who took a huge crash but who for sure will come back fast on tracks ; you re the man bro !! One more time I would like to thank all the organisation crew who work so much on this event and always make our trips the best possible. I just can wait to be back on the road for the next stop !!!
josĂŠ front of his window display at the sport national museum du sport for bĂŠton hurlant expo, 2012, photo olivier weidemann
71 - oldschool - france by FRANCK BELLIOT & SEB RONJON - PHOTOS OLIVIER WEIDEMANN & COLLECTION JOSE DELGADO
josé delgado In 1984 José won the “Super Freestyle» at Circuit Carole, the first freestyle French contest of the history, and immediately became the MBK official rider, first in France, soon followed by his brother Michel and Adolphe Joly. So the legendary “Mad Dogs” were born! Travelling all around the world and promotion is a part of their lives; Mad Dogs take over the riding and help MBK to promote bikes. Supertour, shows at Bercy, TV and media attention – that is how these French stars develop their favorite sport.
And then in 1989 in St Ouen, José becomes World Champion in flat before ending his career. After a couple of years in supercross and snowscoot José gets back to his first love, freestyle BMX! And so in 2013, aged 48 he is still hanging out in skate parks and other riding spots, feeling and looking good, showing clean riding level, and not even thinking to stop. One of the freestylers who had tried himself in all the BMX tendencies. Respect to you, Mr. Delgado!
Hey, Jose, thank you for finding time for this interview! So, can you tell us when and how did you first start BMX?
In the 80s, I was skating in Jardin d’Acclimatation in Neuilly, and one day in some American skate magazine I’ve seen this photo of BMX shoot in skatepark and that was it. With Sbibi (Michel Delgado, José’s brother), we bought our first BMX- a Raleigh Burner. We started riding over the city and in La Villette skatepark, an abandoned place because we were the last of the first skate generation in France. We as well tried our first tricks in flat, when had no chance to ride in the skatepark. Those days I was riding with my brother and Frank Pétoud, but we had never belonged to any teams. Teams and clubs we made only for racing, while freestyle only took off. And you quickly joined MBK to represent the freestyle?
MBK was my first sponsor. I got this contract thanks to my win at “Super Freestyle” at Circuit Carole. I was riding for them for three years in the row; also I took care of participating in shows and contests, and developing products. I’ve seen two generations of BMX prototypes but before starting to develop them, we were riding on American bikes with MBK stickers. Who originally was in Mad Dogs? How did you meet Adolphe Joly?
In the beginning I was the one to be supported by MBK, I’ve done a couple of demos by the time my brother joined me, and after that we’ve met Adolphe who was doing motocross on a spot not far from us. We’ve been there a couple of times because there was this space where we could jump on bikes. Adolphe came over to watch us and noticed that Sbibi was jumping as high as motocross guys and was managing to land the trick every time. So Adolphe gave up the motocross, because it was too expensive and started to do flat with me, somehow he was scared to jump on a bike. He started getting better and better and eventually he got a contract with MBK as well…
As for the name of the team, before starting BMX I used to skate with a team I used to admire, they were called “Mad Rats”, and also, when I got into BMX, I loved this Dave Vanderspecks “Curb Dogs” team from San Francisco. So, Mad Rats+ Curb Dogs= Mad Dogs, which puts in together my skate roots and my love for BMX, that’s how the Mad Dogs were born. You know what started after that, all the teams got animals names, Spin Rats, Crazy Ducks etc… Ha-ha, the whole zoo, you know. Did you have other sponsors supporting you in your career?
MBK were the first ones. At the same time I had co-sponsors like Reebok, Converse and Fly… After MBK I rode for Haro via French importers V2000, and then I didn’t have any bike sponsors, only some clothes ones. Back there, did you know riders from racing MBK team?
Yep, we all knew each other. Well, we all went to this race and freestyle tour in the Martinique with all the MBK team. Jean-Luc Ferré and Edouard Cordier were not freestylers but did the demos with me. In 1985, we also went to the USA and Canada together with Claude Vuillemot, Jean-Luc Ferré and others for World Championship in Whistler not far from Vancouver. We also met each other on the photo sets for MBK. Oh yeah, let’s talk about the USA. In the 80s all French kids had this image of unreachable American dream through the magazines. While you had a chance to go there several times with Mad Dogs. Tell us a bit of your experience over there please. Make us jealous 28 year later...
Ok, so for the first time we went there with my brother, it was 1985. MBK sponsored us to spend a month in California, so we would ride up our level. We got the plane with MBK team who were going to Canada, so we got dropped in Vancouver from where we got a bus to Los Angeles. 33 hours on the road in a bus to California, without a driving license, a bit lost, not speaking English, we got there.
Jean-Luc Ferré was supposed to meet us at Downton station, but he unfortunately messed up, and thought we were coming another day. So we had to figure it out ourselves. We took the first cab to Huntington Beach , the only place in Los Angeles I knew about thanks to the magazines. For us it was the right place to go. So we found a motel there where we stayed for a week, without any contacts and even almost without bikes. Horrible... Our bikes were not done properly, because we were thinking to buy American parts for them. For some reason we were sure that BMX shops could be found on every corner in the US, which was not true. Eventually we had to walk for hours to get the details in the Bicycle Source which was 15 km from where we lived. Luckily Martin Aparijo was there and he drove us back to the motel. Anyway it was hard times. So a week later I ended up riding with Claude Vuillemot who came back from Whistler and was staying with Dave Cullinan, Armand Bonis and Xavier Redois. And that’s when it started getting very cool! We started riding together, we rode freestyle in the streets, it was amazing. Next year we were back with Michel and Adophe, and this time we were riding a lot more. We went to Haro, Bobs office at Wizard Publications (BMX Action, Freestylin’), to ride with RL Osborn on his famous halfpipe. We had a blast as any French who comes over. Then we also were hanging out with Mike Buff and riding his epic ramp in his garden. It was amazing! My brother got to ride crazy spots and ramps which didn’t even exist in France. And even though I wasn’t riding ramps a lot back there, I couldn’t stop myself from trying to ride on it. It was just amazing! We also went to Marc McGLynn, Haros rider from San Diego who left us his house and his halfpipe while he was surfing… And we found ourselves riding in Pipeline with Frank Pétoud from french “Spin Rats” team who were living in Upland, and with Fiola who turned up at the skatepark with his pickup and standing back GT Pro Perf. He was the star of Pipeline. We were watching him as kids with eyes wide open. We didn’t dare to talk with anyone we just admired their level. We had a blast! We were riding, watching and learning! It was the paradise of BMX! We got the real pleasure and experience. We also were doing flat in Huntington Beach with some guys we didn’t even know, but this time we really progressed a lot. We found and tried the tricks we didn’t know before. It was a huge motivation! After all those adventures, we were back to France with insanely increased level of riding. What are your best memories of your professional career?
Travelling, meeting people… As soon as I got sponsored by MBK I had to go on tour to promote “BMX Bandit”, the movie. So every night I had to do a demo in different city before showing the film. No need to say I’ve seen this movie more than 15 times! The Martinique tour with all the MBK team will always stay unforgettable. .. Trips to the US, riding Porsche with Claude Vuillemot in California, sessions at Mike Buffs house, at BMX Action, at Pipeline… Than Bercy of course! Incredible feeling to walk into the middle of 15000 excited people, with only a light of projector falling down on me. Supertour in France stays memorable. Riding with guys from the USA and England, a tour for Yop in the Réunion island with 3000 people waiting for us get off the plane to present the demo. Demos in Turkey… And all the sessions with all those people I’ve met thanks to BMX.
When did you stop to take part in the contests? What did push you to stop?
I think one of my last contests in flat was the World Championship in St Ouen. I had to do a couple of contests after that as well though… Then I just stopped to do flat to try street and mini ramp. You were a idol for thousand of kids in the past and in 2012 you found yourself right in the heart of “Béton Hurlant” exposition in the French National Sports Museum in Paris, right between Bob Haro and Mat Hoffman. How does it feel like?
I was a little bit confused… You can say “Oh there you go, this is Bob Haro, this is Mat Hoffman… and who is this guy in the middle? Do you know him?” I obviously found myself between two BMX legends! And I was very touched and honored! I’m very grateful for everyone who was working on this exposition... Thanks to Seb Ronjon, the creator of the exhibition and to Stéphane Vervins, who restored my MBK prototype. It was insane! I can’t imagine how he did it! The bike was taken and boom it was already in the exposition in the Museum! I didn’t even touch it! That was crazy! I was especially happy to show it to my kids! I was so touched when my son Diego proudly said: “Oh daddy, you are in the museum!” I know that you are still riding, Can you please tell us on what and where do you ride?
I ride a Sunday bike relooked “Redline PL20” for a bit of nostalgia. I ride a bit every weekend, more in the parks, in Abbeville especially (one of the best French parks in my opinion), a bit of trails with my son when I can. And of course I ride with my favorite, famous “Bones” (Stéphane Vervins), and other oldschool riders. Anyway we have fun all the time and that’s great! I hope to be able to ride as long as possible, I want to ride all the time, even more now than when I was younger and was getting paid for this. And I love discovering the new spots all the time, before I will have to stop one day. All I want to do is to ride, more and more. And I’m honestly very scared of the moment when I’ll have to stop, because riding is a huge part of my life. Your brother Michel and Adolphe, are they still riding? Do you sometimes ride together?
Mad Dogs always ride! But sadly not all the time together now. Adolph is in racing now and he is riding even better now. My brother does park and street sometimes with me. Thank you, Jose for this interview. Still inspired and amazed by your riding!
Also big thanks to Stéphane Vervins aka “Bones”, my riding mate, all my oldschool and newschool friends, everyone who was by my side all these years and everyone who works with BMX in France, John Petit, Olivier Morineau, Yann Colignon, Seb Ronjon, Alain Massabova, Frank Belliot, Eric Rothenbusch, everyone, if I have forgotten to name someone.. it’s ok, I’m old now, don’t have a good memory now! Thanks to ART, BMX forever and everyone who doesn’t agree just shut up!
76 - face - France by patoche - photos cedric derodot
Kamal Faraj Presentation
FARAJ, Kamal, 21 years old, 9 years in the BMX, Montpellier, Sponsored by BMX Avenue, Profile Racing (ABP Import), Eastern Bikes (Race co). Kamal, what did push you into BMX and freestyle particularly?
It was 9 years ago when I got into BMX. By some chance I’ve seen this magazine and a bit later I got my first bike with 4 pegs and two brakes with 44 kit chain, which would seem ridiculous for a kid but I was the happiest guy every time I was riding it! I didn’t do the park only, I just had fun riding everywhere even on trails. I was happy all the time I was on the bike. How did you get to the idea of your BMX videos and who helped you to develop it?
Well I got this idea somehow naturally while watching BMX expos on the Internet. I thought why not to post something myself and I got good reviews so it kicked off. It was often my girlfriend and my mates who helped me out with filming, even now
when I thought to ride from the beginning to the end of the film session. We are about to release one for BMXAVENUE very soon. Most of these videos are shoot in Montpellier, more often in Gramont, is it you favourite spot or do you ride on the other spots as well?
Oh no, I’m not a big fan of Gramont, but I don’t have a chance to ride that much, so when I get out of work I only got time to go to this park on a weekend, sometimes I also ride in Poussan. I’d love to move around more often, but before I didn’t really have any money for that, and now I’m really short in time. Luckily we have this good spot in Montpellier, so it’s a big pleasure to meet all my mates there. You make an impression of a shy guy. Is it true? IS BMX your way of selfexpression?
I’m quite shy, that’s true. I get on with people quite difficult and I’m not really smiley, so I imagine it doesn’t make people to want to meet me.
On the bike it is completely different, because I do something I love, I’m into BMX, I feel comfortable so I’m more open and all the stuff that ever bothers me just gets out of my head.
gives me some sort of inspiration. Tricks come to me naturally, I don’t have any prose of preparing them in my head, so if I feel like trying a new trick I just do it. I’ve never tried the foam pit or something like that because It’s not m thing.
You are 22, what do you do besides BMX? DO you only ride or do you also study or work?
How does European BMX level looks like on the world arena in your opinion?
Well, in general I’ve done high school+ two years of studies to get prepared for the university+ engineering school, so as you can see studies were always my priority. So I’m not able as much as I wish, but I’m happy be sure about my future, doing BMX on the side as well. So now, I’ve got my diploma in microelectronics and industrial IT, and I work as a developer for AxoX in Montpellier.
Which type of a rider are you? More contest, jam, or are you just riding for fun?
It’s simple. I like to ride with my mates in local parks, doing some contests, especially the ones with a big party after. I don’t at all enjoy competing. I think that doing BMX to prove that you are the best is silly. But well, of course we can get a pleasure at the contest as much as we can get annoyed with some riders with competing spirit in the parks. SO as for me riding is more about the riding, my mates, fun and beers. Have you ever take part in any foreign contests? Are you preparing some tricks or you just let them come along with your progress?
The riders who influenced me, are the ones I ride with, all of them are my mates from Gramont. You can see here a lot of different styles, we ride all together so it
Well the picture changes fast as usual. The sport progresses fast and there are more and more young riders with crazy level, so it’s cool! We sadly we are still not on a very good level if to talk about spots, so if we want to have good parks we need to make an effort and make it. Kamal, how do you see yourself in ten years?
If my body lets me, I always will be on my bike. For now, riding is irreplaceable for me. Do you have anything to say for those who will read this interview?
Yes, I’d love to say that there is no need to try to be like some pro riders, you should stay yourself and develop your own style rather than follow the BMX tendencies. And a helmet is also very important, because who knows what can happen, sometimes even a pro can fall down even riding chilled. Any special thanks to anyone?
Thank you for this interview it’s nice of you to let me show my opinion, thanks to Marine for her support and everyone who was by my side for all my life, thanks to my family for my education, thanks to my mates for all the fun and craziness, thanks to BMXAVEBNUE, and in general thanks to everyone from my surroundings who supports me, but I’m not going to say the names not to forget anyone.
80 - photo - Colombia By Luis Elías Benavides
Juan Páez
I was introduced to Juan through a flatland friend from Colombia. I was told Juan is a great guy who is truly involved in the world of BMX not only because he rides, but because he takes awesome photos of what he loves to do. Without thinking twice, Juan and I began exchanging ideas, and the result is this beautiful portfolio. I hope you enjoy. My name is Juan Påez. I live in the city of Bogota; I’m 30 years old. I started riding BMX when I was 18. I like riding street and park. I first started shooting photos in 2010. Initially motivated by Ride BMX Magazine and BMX Plus!, I wondered how it was possible to make pictures look that good and what was necessary to achieve them. At that time, I used to go out with my friends to ride in many places in Bogota, and I photographed any good trick or cool situation. But my concern was still, so I decided to buy my first Nikon and began to study at home. I devote most of my work to shoot portraits and spotlights in the city, magical places that turn into something completely different when you see a rider doing something new.
As for the relationship between BMX and my photos... Because of the passion I have for riding, I decided to reflect that in my photos. When you grow up you cannot only ride; you have to work, study, and take care of your family. So now I spend more time shooting than riding. The level of riding is very high and I consider important to record part of the history that we all make when we go riding down the city. My purpose is to tell a story with every shoot I do; the essential part of BMX is to have fun with friends, have a good time no matter if we crash, no matter the weather, and no matter if we did not have a good day. In my pictures I like to portray the city and its thousand atmospheres, in some cases transformed. Our environment is always changing, colorful, and full of contrast and new forms. The vision we have as riders is different from the average citizen. If you want to see more about my work, go to Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juandavidpaezbmx/
90 - girlz - australia By Luis Elías Benavides - Photos by Chris Mannion and Selector Marx
Jacqueline Nix Jacqueline is an up and coming flatland rider from Australia, she’s a singer, and she’s beautiful. Do I need to say something more? But don’t get too excited, guys; she has a boyfriend and is about to get married. Congratulations from the ART crew, Jacqueline, we wish you all the best! Hi Jacqueline, please introduce yourself.
My name is Jacqueline Nix, I’m a singer and songwriter and I ride flatland BMX for fun :) I’m from Queensland, Australia. How long have you been riding for and why?
I always had a passion for BMX since I was very young; my first bike was a Wethepeople, and I started riding that when I was 17. I just rode park. I rode on and off and then stopped riding for a good 5 years or so, then started again and had an accident which made me rethink riding due to the injuries severely impacting my singing. I got into flatland in June 2012 and have only really been riding for around 6-8 months. Who is your favorite rider?
My favourite rider in flatland is Dennis McCoy, and out of flatland my favourite rider is Ruben Alcantara; he’s a rad dude. Besides riding, you’re a singer and song writer. How did you get involved in the world of music? What are your future projects?
I’ve been involved in music and singing/songwriting since I was about 6 so it’s been my life; I studied it all through school and have since been working on many music projects for myself and other established artists around the world. I have an album out later this year and a lot more stuff like music videos etc.
Is it hard to be a BMX girl? Have you received any comments from douchebags telling that you can’t ride because you’re a girl?
It’s hard if you involve yourself with the arguments and hang around douchebags. I keep to myself; it might not seem so online but I’m a very private person. In Australia, I could confidently say I only have 2-3 friends because I choose to not associate myself with many people here, although I have a huge BMX family of some amazing people, a lot of who I have just recently met. I have learnt in life that the less people you have in your life, the less drama. Most of my good friends are in other countries. I always get dudes yelling out stupid things if I’m riding in the street. It’s always the stereotypical «do a backflip» «I bet you can’t do a....insert a made-up impossible trick...” It’s annoying because I know they wouldn’t even be able to do a simple fork glide; it’s a lot harder than it looks, even some amazing riders can’t do a simple balancing trick. But overall I think it’s fine; the ones who have something negative to say obviously have issues with themselves. Simple as that. You’ve been recently hooked up by Primo. How did that happen?
Well, they found me on Instagram and followed my progress for a while. When they initially offered to hook me up I declined because I didn’t feel that I should be getting so much help as a beginner. I know hundreds of people that would say yes straight away without even thinking about it, but I wanted to improve my riding first. So after a while, I kept talking with John Richard from Primo/Tip plus distro (no longer works for them) and he basically hooked me up with all primo parts which was very kind of him. It helped me a lot; I was using
borrowed and very old and heavy parts from a non flatland bike, so to get smaller lighter cranks, new rims, etc made a huge difference in my riding. I know being a girl helped the situation, but I was constantly (and still am) documenting all progress in photos and videos online, always pushing people to get into flatland to grow the sport and helping out wherever I can. Do you participate in contests?
No and not sure if I ever will.
Do you like to travel? If so, where would you like to go?
I love traveling. I’ve been to 24 countries so far and about to go all over Europe again very soon. I’ve spent a lot of time in Spain, which feels like home to me. Places I haven’t been and really want to go are: Brazil, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica & Mexico Do you prefer to ride with boys or with other girls?
I’ve never ridden with another girl; there really isn’t any around where I ride, but hopefully soon. I love riding with the guys, it’s always fun. My partner rides street so we always have flatland sessions together; he does hang 5’s, manuals and anything else he can do on flat ground. I don’t get hassled when he is around haha which is good. Any shoutouts?
Yes, shout out to Action Wheels Bmx store in Madrid, all the Madrid riders who have helped me so much, Melbourne Flatlanders who helped me out with some parts, Primo & John Richard, Chris Mannion who takes all my pics on the gold coast, and anyone else who rides with me and helps me out in any way!
92 - spot - USA by Blaine Mazzetti
san diego trails
Trails are more of a lifestyle than a type of riding, it takes a unique type of person to be a true trail rider. The most important factor is putting in time behind a shovel in becoming a part of the community. Most trail riders are actually trail builders and ride on the side when the opportunity arises. The majority of our time is spent digging, slapping and packing, our lives revolve around dirt. Trail riders have been perceived as harsh and un-accepting, yet that is just us protecting what we have worked so hard to create. When you become involved in a trail community, it evolves into a great relationship and the crew becomes family. These are the people you spend the majority of your time with and have far exceeded the term best friends. Our San Diego crew is made up of four guys, whom are the most committed and hardworking trail builders in our area. The crew consists of Shawn Shimkets, Adam Watkins, Braden Banfer and myself.
96 - attitude - france by chris dietschy
odd time tattoo Present yourself please.
My name is Ralph ‘WeasL’, I’m 29 years old, I’m originally Savoy, we’ve moved to the south about 10 years ago! I’ve been studying art in Grenoble for 5 years, first Art (BAC STI) than fine arts. I than started investing in my tattoo machines and to ink my friends a bit right in my place, to work out all the small techniques and details. This maybe a bit dangerous experience provided me with the certain amount of work to improve my technique… I eventually started studying at BSA, Aix in Provence, with ‘Lionel Mr. Biz’, to who I’m incredibly grateful, not only for teaching me the design and techniques, but also for explaining me and giving a chance to understand the whole world of artistic tattoo. After 5 years of hard work I opened my own salon on Aix pce, right in the city center. Odd Time Tattoo, tattoos in the crazy world! It’s been 6 months we opened it with my wife Gwen. Tell us about your style, did it come with time or did you always have it?
I absolutely adore the Old School, and neo-traditional style, so I mostly work in this direction. I’d love to work in this style only, but it’s not that easy concerning the variety of applies in the street shop.
Who pushed you to become yourself?
I’ve always been painting a lot and finally I naturally came up to tattooing. I’ve been a big fan of metal, NY hardcore since I was a little boy (thanks to my sister), and this definitely influenced me a lot, add up my passion for the design and painting and that’s where my attraction for tattoo comes from. Who is a good tattoo master in your opinion?
The one who does good tattoos first of all, the one who is motivated, who’s been learning it seriously in good conditions, and of course the one who spends hours drawing, not being scared to spend all the nights scratching the paper. It might sound stupid, but with all those salons open, I always see the same motive taken from Google. What does the art of tattooing mean for you?
Tattoo is the art which is completely open for the infinity progress. I struggle with myself every day, to keep it creative personal and not only commercial, so my message to all the tattoo masters: “Take your hands out from your ***!!” Wise words.
98 - shop - france by chris dietschy
RIDERS DISTRIB Present us your shop please.
RIDERS DISTRIB shop has been open for 11 years, situated in Marseill, in the 6th, 75 Lodi street, for more information find us on Google. You are pretty important in Marseille, how did you get there?
We are a few old stuntmen who ride after 40 , so I found myself on their place right before the events, and that’s how they like me, because they recognize themselves. I’m absolutely in love with everything that rides, I lived the evolution of different styles in the shop. I’ve been with the guys who used dig the spots (we only did ramps with our own hands that time), we were before snowscoot existed, I’m a big fan of everyone who used to jump with a handlebar, I’ve been in this sport since 19 years old, I’ve been selling helmets, gloves and handlebars for 22 years, so normally young boys listen to my opinion. Are you in a partnership with racing clubs? Freestyle? Tell us about the services you provide with?
We are trying to take care of park development in Marseille with Steve Margo, Mika and Justin. In race we build up a team with Romain Sarraco from Trets club, we boost the pump track in Peynier with all the local riders (congrats papa Pooky), we also take care of the mountain with a Super Devoluy station for snowscoot with Praloup team.We fiw everything the riders break and so we are trying also to check everything out before recommending the products, so our riders are truly being taken care of.
Do you take part in some events also?
We work in all the possible directions, and we never work alone because this kind of job is not to be done alone. So we’ve been working a lot with Spine and the whole team for several years as in bmx (Massilia, Freestyle cup, Biche and demos), and in slopestyle also (Paradise Slopestyle team), we also have been working with some free ride teams like Hips, and on the dirts in Magicland on Aix. As for now, we are helping the skiing palace team the Biche (Viven), so I’m in the partnership with Vans Kill the Line, as I adore this family who’s been training for a very long time, the Patoch, Dropsy, Guilbert, Pooky, Max and the others… but we mostly organize the DH weekends, race days and pump track or even snowscoot mostly to make people enjoy the ride as much as they can. Who are the riders to present the shop?
The list is very long, but I can say we are very close and we are family by the blood, because we never wait and we love our sport and the strong spirit which goes with it! We’ve got some oldies as Steve Magro (the 1st one) and Justin Fouque also Tomas Py, Guigzy in BMX, and then in another disciplines Mika Rubi (old champion of the Hell Mountain), Sousou from the Hips team who is back to Peynier now, Johan and Pierrick in DH and we launch also the co-factory for the Kids in park. What’s your message?
A shovel, a handle bar and it works out well… Yo!
100 - event - france by Moana Moo-Caille- photos Antony ÂŤCarpediemcreaÂť Magne
Pernes Les Fontaines It was in Pernes Les Fontaines where we had a chance to set up a photoset for the Elite riders of third and forth place of French Championship. In spite of the weather conditions and crazy wind, the show was even more impressive and we could enjoy this exiting race.
Riders attack the first grid position.
on TOP : And all three ! ! Eva Ailloud champion of first 3 races of French Championship. on TOP RIGHT : Manon always smiling ! on RIGHT : Julien Perrier in the first place, Dams Godet following with Charly Giraud on his wheel. on left : Brothers Riccardi make a strong impression at the moment. Here, Romain facing the wind on the second grid position with Lorin Martinez on his wheel.
QC14 jumpin’...
Saturday Elite 1 Hommes 1. MAYET Romain (Freegun Drôme BMX) 2. ANDRE Sylvain (Union BMX Vaucluse) 3. CALEYRON Quentin (St Etienne BMX GT) 4. DUCHENE Simon (Besançon) 5. SCHERPEN Martijn (Freegun Drôme BMX) 6. MIR Amidou (Redline Lyon Limonest) 7. RICCARDI Remi (St Etienne BMX GT) 8. RICCARDI Romain (St Etienne BMX GT)
Sunday Elite 1 Hommes 1. CALEYRON Quentin (St Etienne BMX GT) 2. DUCHENE Simon (Besançon) 3. GODET Damien (BMX Compiègne) 4. RICCARDI Remi (St Etienne BMX GT) 5. MAHIEU Romain (Pays de la Loire BMX) 6. CHAUVIN Thibaud (Entente BMX Île-de-France) 7. DUMAIN Antoine (St Etienne BMX GT) 8. MANKUS Tom (Lettonie)
Elite Dames 1. AILLOUD Eva BMX (Compiègne) 2. VALENTINO Manon (St Etienne BMX GT) 3. POTTIER Magalie (Pays de la Loire BMX) 4. RIMSAITE Vilma (Pays de la Loire BMX) 5. CORLOBE Pauline (St Brieuc BMX) 6. MEYRAN Camille (Stade Bordelais BMX) 7. SPRENGERS DANA (Lempdes BMX) 8. MAIRE Camille (Freegun Drôme BMX)
Elite Dames 1. VALENTINO Manon (St Etienne BMX GT) 2. AILLOUD Eva (BMX Compiègne) 3. RIMSAITE Vilma (Pays de la Loire BMX) 4. CORLOBE Pauline (St Brieuc BMX) 5. SPRENGERS DANA (Lempdes BMX) 6. POTTIER Magalie (Pays de la Loire BMX) 7. MAIRE Camille (Freegun Drôme BMX) 8. DOUDOUX Mathilde (Lempdes BMX)
Eva Ailloud WINNER
Magalie ÂŤWorld ChampÂť Pottier, a bit out of this season, got the third place on Saturday. She dedicated a lot of time to her studies this post Olimpic year and she was absolutely right!
Elites Quartfinal : Mir, Moo-Caille, Perrier, Riccardi, Chiron et Derom on the second turn.
109 - face - canada by alain massabova - photos christian vanhanja
jean franรงois boulianne JF is one of those globetrotters who accumulate experiences and grow up. From Canada to China through France, his good humor and his original riding make him a key figure. He is a part of the big international Flatland family. We profit a trip to Paris to ask him some questions, enjoy !
Hey JF, tell us about yourself, how did you came up to BMX ?
My name is Jean Francois Boulianne, A.K.A. JFBMX, French Can-indian, hailing from Montreal, Canada. When I say JFBMX, it’s more than a name, it’s the whole spirit I try to Share with people during my travel. sharing my positive attitude trough my bike, discovering all the beauty of the world and life itself. I started Flatland 12 years ago, I saw some school friend that were trying some flatland trick on a BMX, then something unexplainable happened in me. It was like if a second heart grew inside of me, passion was born and it was there to stay(what I didn’t knew back then). 6 years ago I decided to skip winter and went to Brazil for two months. Then Jason Plourde invited me to China for some Show, the contract was one year but I stayed for three. During that time I use my holiday to travel in Asia. Since 3 years, I am traveling like a gypsy, that’s my style. I really love Quebec but it feel weird when I stay home for too long. Its time my passionate Flatland heart is calling me and saying revive the fire so I get a plane ticket and from this follow the BMX events. Can you tell us more about the Quebec Scene and Canadians Riders?
First of all I don’t want to give the impression that I don’t like my country, its just in the last few year I was condition to live on the road. In Quebec we are about a dozen riders, all really intense and got our own style of riding. Most of us live around Montreal. Usually we meet downtown to have some jams, then we get some beers, talk about randoms stuffs and have a few good laugh. My biggest deception is my friend Simon Marsan, he kind of stop riding when I left for China. The guy is a beast and still is just in different way. For me our crew is a family and even with misunderstanding we will always stand together. Before that most of Canadians pro were coming from the ouest(Andrew Faris, Dan Rigby, Travis Collier). For us in the East I would say Jeff Desroches gave us a good kick in the ass and
now most of Canadians pros are coming from the East. You are traveling a lot, which country is your favorite, How is a trip for you?
Yes, I love to travel and share with all the rider around the globe. Brazil was great, I even learn portuguese in 2 months. Japan definitely exciting and very powerful on the Flatland level. California it was my first time this year, the BMX mecca was amazing, the first video I bought was an intricate so seeing all those spots and this ambiance was really motivating. Europe is always great, so many riders and events, I usually come once a year. So far how does a JFBMX trip goes its pretty cool, I start by buying a plane ticket, usually one way and from there we see. I wanna say sometimes I have plan sometimes they changes. Then I contact local riders, most of the time the ones who are motivate to ride. Its important for me because the trip is a big portion of my life so being surrounded by this kind of rider makes a super trip. After I look at the events and which are the most valuable and money wise for my budget, then its freestyle and I don’t wanna stop till the season is over. We heard you can talk Chinese?
Yes, I speak Chinese. I cant read or write (you have to study for that) but I love to express myself in Chinese. The face that people make when a whit guy is speaking is so funny they get so surprised. When I see asian people, first I listen to see which dialect they are speaking, then if I can understand I try to include myself in the discussion so I can practice a bit. Even sometimes, I help Chinese tourists get around. It can be very pleasing to help a fellow human being. I don’t use it often but when I do, I really have fun even with the kids. I cant wait where the future bring us and see how useful it could be.
What do you like the most in Flatland?
The thing I love the most is when I am on my bike and I am not touching the ground, I really have this impression of floating and being in my own bubble. Learning new tricks or new links have always been very powerful to me. To me Flatland is an ambiance,a lifestyle. It’s also the way my life goes, when I wake up in the morning the most important thing to do during the day is ride my bike. I love the moment when I come to the spot and I am about to do my first trick, I feel the fire, the reason I am alive. When I see people that stop and look at what I do, I just wanna pull a huge combo so they can see all the work and time I put in. Since 2 years, I also got a lot of energy from showing tricks to kids and others riders, sharing all this knowledge. Traveling, Friends and discovering new things are keys points which are the reason why I never gave up Flat. How do you describe your style, the way you ride?
The way I ride my bike is very flow. I try to keep a rhythm, its like music to me even if sometimes the beat change there is always one. Rolling and turbine with some cool switch between both style. I also use the Frontyard a lot (trick where all your body stay in front of the handlebar) it’s really risky in contest but I love the variations that I created with it. Last year, I also worked a lot on pedal tricks, your high on the bike and you definitely need strength. Then we add a couple of jump and this is how my riding look like. There is also a big difference about what I do in a contest and how I ride everyday in a normal jam.
Do you know why you ride, what is your goal?
I ride because I am a totally addicted to it, even when I take a day off I have this huge to get out on my bike. This winter was really hard because I couldn’t ride for 3 months due to an injury. BMX for me is really physic its make your whole body work hard. On the mental level it’s the same when you have a big session and pulled a lot of combo your brain is juiced out. My goal is to be able to live my dream the longest and continue to ride till my body cant take it no more. It is also to go outhere travel and motivated other riders and show them that it is possible if you work hard. When I find a great spot and I can push my riding and my ideas real hard then I know why I am riding. What is a typical JFBMX day?
I wake up,get a banana and I lay back in bed to answer some emails, reply to followers on instagram, post some pic on Facebook. Then I get up drink a protein shake while doing some push up and sit-up. After that it breakfast time eggs, bacon, fruit, cereal good stuff . Remember that I am usually at someone house doing all that ahahahha. Then me and my mate are biking to the spot any one with a Flat floor will do. I ride for like 3 hours then I am done. I pull another protein shake out of my bag and stretch for 30 minutes. We then cruse back home and stop by the park to get a fresh beer while looking the sun goes down of this amazing riding day. Every day that I ride I have a good session, always a blast. Back home my friend or me put up some food together maybe drink some more beers, chat or watch a movie. Somedays I have a demo,filming some clips,shooting some pics, I am in transit or I take a day off every week to rest and visit place. You got some sponsor ? Are you looking for some more?
My main sponsor is Odyssey, they have a division called Fatware and its great. Their products are really good quality and since I am riding those I never broke something on my bike. Then Marseille Bicycles shop in Montreal have been supporting me since the beginning. This season something new is gaining on with a sunglasses company from Korea, the shades are very stylish plus they are own by Flatlanders so it’s a blast working with
them. I am always looking out for some more sponsors, I would like to find some company that understand what I do and that could help me travel and follow my route in the BMX market. I need to find someone that will be happy to represent the «JFBMX» spirit. I am always in riding with different groups of riders hanging out and motivating them, so I think it’s really interesting for the brands. I am also very down to hearth and easy to relate to. If someone read this and is interested they can contact me true my email jfbmx@jfbmx.com What motivate you? Any favorite rider?
Its more what motivate me. I still like looking at flatland video but it doesn’t motivate me like before. A lot of thing motivate me like peoples, musics, the sun , food, girls in miniskirt. When I ride and the doors of a news tricks open and the only thing you want is to pull it. When I do a project with Flatland I am always motivated, I mean shooting a video, taking some rad pictures or getting peoples to know about BMX and our lifestyle. Any Thanks?
First of all, big thanks to all the riders around the world that help me out during my trips, without you I wouldn’t be able to live my dream and continue my adventures. You guys are my biggest Sponsors. Then lets thanks Terry Adams and Jim Bauer at Odyssey who are helping me out with some strong stuff which is lasting trough all my session and travels. Kens at Marseilles Bikes who is supporting me from the beginning. Denny at Bluebird Hosting that gave me an amazing website. Thanks to Jay Kay from Korea, Hybition eye wears keep my eyes protected during an intense sunny day. Tom A.K.A Sevisual for putting my greatest edit so far and for all the pictures he took and let me used. My mum, my bro and my Dad which are always there for me when I come back home. Simon Marsan my inspiration who drove over 30 hours in a weekend to make me won a contest. Alain and Van for this sick interview in Art and at last all the lady that came in my life and that I broke their heart, thanks for you’re understanding!!!
116 - face - South Africa by moana moo caille - photos Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool
Sifiso Nhlapo
Sifiso is for most of us one of the fastest riders in the world. South african, expatriate in the USA after some years spent in Europe for training and racing, his path is really atypical. We wanted to learn more about Skizo, and we are very happy to share with you his story.
Sifiso in action at Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa, January 2013.
Your BMX BACKGROUND...
My Bmx background is pretty simple. I always rode bikes as a kid growing up in South Africa as a form of transport to get to school and see my friends in the neighborhood. I did alot of team sport in school so I was have always been a sporty guy from a you age. I had a friend that used to race bmx and I used to go watch him race on weekends and one time I asked my parents if I could try bmx racing. They made me promise that I would at leats try for a year and see how I did before they bought me all the equipment. In South Africa bmx racing is not a cheap sport but regardless my parents gave me a chance. I raced my first race at the age of 13 in 2000 and I have never looked back. I won a few national titles and was selected to represent South Africa at the world championships 2 years later in Sa Paulo Brazil in 2002 where I raced 15 boys and came 5 in semis. Since then I have been attending the world championships and have had some ok results I guess. In South Africa at the time there were not any pros racing over seas so all I had to look up to was magazines and pros from Europe and the USA. And I knew from a young age that if I wanted to be a pro one day I would have to leave my native South Africa to develop my skills and learn more about the sport I love. The UCI Center...
In 2005 I was selected by my federation to attend a development training camp at the world cycling center in Aigle Switzerland that would run for 3 month until the world championships in France. This training camp was very colorful with athletes from all over South America, China, East Europe and Africa. The camp was a great success as my results at races improved every weekend. I won the Junior men Cruiser World Championship title in France that year which was a big deal for me. That race changed my life because after that I knew I could pursue a professional career one day.
I returned to the UCI WCC a few years after that to further more develop my skills as an athlete and prepare for the Olympic games to be held in China in 2008. I had a few good results leading up to Beijing. I was leading the European championship that year and had a crash on the last day of the European championship finals in Germany. I also finished 3rd at the world Championships in China before the Olympics and this was great momentum moving into the games in a few months. Beijing 2008...
The Olympics in 2008 was a great experience for me I was 21 and had a lead up to the games and knew I could do good if everything went ok. I felt awsome all day and was in lane 2 in the main event. I remember walking up the stairs before the main and thinking in my head « The next 36sec can change the rest of my life» Well it didn’t go like I planned. I had a great start and was out front until the first jump and cased it a little and lost some speed down the first straight. I was still in the hunt for a medal going down the second straight but ended up crashing in the turn. I learnt a lot that year as a rider and I worked hard to improve all round every off season since that year. Your bad crash in 2009...
The following year I did my off season prep in Australia where I lived at my buddy Sam Willobougys house for 3 months with Anders Gronsund. This was one of the best off seasons I have had. The weather was awesome that time of year as its summer in Australia and the tracks near by Sams house made it easy to train all week. His parents were really good to me and always have been and I can’t thank them enough to this day for letting me live with them. Anders and I returned to Norway where I would be based for the 2009 Euro season. We went to race the first Euro round in Zwolle where I didn’t do as good as I had hoped. I knew I had put the work in off season so it was frustrating when I didn’t get the result I wanted. I returned to Norway
and worked on a few things and won three weekends back to back which had never been done at the time. We had 2 weekends to go for the season to be. I was training with the Norwegian team getting ready to go to the UK and I had a nasty get off and broke my neck. This was a very scary moment for all my friends and family because it happened where I was so far a way from home. But all went well I had a good surgeon who knew what he was doing and took good care of me. The Gronsund family also helped me out with staying over there that year and treating me like one of their sons. The 2010 World Championship in Pietermaritzburg...
I had a long recover time before I started riding my bike again after surgery. I had 9months off the bike. It was very hard getting back to where I wanted to be but I knew I had to be patient. In 2010 the season went along ok before the world championships in South Africa. I felt good going into that weekend. A lot of family and friends came to watch me race so I knew I had the home country Advantage. The crowd was awesome all day and I was able to finish 2nd. Your brand...
My brand was something I always wanted to do as a kid. I got a few samples made in China and I really like the bikes. Its something I did to possibly do closer to my retirement just as a hobby because I love the sport. I will
UCI BMX World Championship silver medallist and Grand National champion, Sifiso Nhlapo hosted the Red Bull Under My Wings workshop for up and coming BMX hopefuls aimed at educating the young BMX talent in South Africa on what the formula is for a successful BMX career from an athlete who is on his way to the top.
only do a full scale production of the bikes when I have more time on my hands to do it 100%. The american dream...
Being in the USA has been great. It’s such a big change to racing in Europe and I hope to spend more time here over the coarse of my career. People are good to me here and I enjoy the tuff racing. I think its the best place to be if you wanna be the best. In the area where I stay we have at least 5 AA pros so its awsome to ride the track together. Kinda makes it less tense at the races on the weekend. Your goals...
My goals for 2013 is to be healthy because if your healthy you can have other goals like doing good at races and being consistent all your round. Special thanks...
Special thanks to all my fans around the world. They motivate me to better at what I do everyday. My lovely wife and family. My sponsors MTN QHUBEKA, REDBULL, OAKLEY FAITH RACEWEAR, LEATT, PROFILE RACING, TIOGA, SINZ ELITE, ALIENATION, TANGENT. And ART BMX for giving me this opportunity to tell my story.
122 - face - france by alain massabova - photos peka devé
fred mairet Tell us about your background ?
My name is Fred Mairet but most Riders call me 2 Fred I Started BMX at the age of 12 or 16 et next July, I’ll Be thirty-two ! I entered Freestyle biking after having riding alone a full year and I was surprised to see it was a real culture and a true way of life. I met with Dimitri Ivanov from BMX and also the skaters and rollers from the Paris Skateboard Club. Then came Little Bikes and from this time on, my passion flared up! Working from bits and ends more or less interesting and being sometimes «on the dole», I managed to get acquainted with these disciplines anyway… along with arts trades, management or my teaching at the Paris Town Hall. What does BMX represents for you ?
It’s a way of expressing oneself that brings harmony within and with the world around you. It holds me tight and keeps me going. It helps shaping another life vision like when walking a spot street, I would take a snapshot in view of my next riding trip with my mates. Who knows the number of guys with no Freestyle culture being ignorant of their environment? BMX opened my heart to others as well as thrilling me. When I was a kid, I dreamt I could fly with my own means. Maybe I am still a dreamer but I feel the thrill all the way with a true sense of freedom. A unique form of expression that can’t be imitated by everybody but that keeps me going. When stunt riding, I feel like flying although I cant’ be higher in the air than more than dozens of centimeters ! Are you keep riding ? With who ?
Of course yes, but sometimes I miss the thrill. It depends on the time and the people I keep riding with… Sometimes I ride with Reno from 921 but most of the time Riders from EGP. The T2R team, the guys we are trying to figure out something in Paris. I can’t name them all in case I should forget any of them ! That’s why I talk of the crews : Reno, 77 ers, T2R, Big UP, Clandé, Little Pyjama , all on the Bercy Show…
to create original events to make the riding seasons more animated. Then, Zack Deconinck joined the adventure; There were other events like the “Soulardizant” and the “Bowl cup” Currently, John is in the south and Ben is busy with his work but the association keep going with Pascal Bertuzzi “DJ ZU”, Max Desquen and Cyprien Jean-Charles. T2R, this is hundreds of member, 4 or 5 events minimum in one year, BMX sessions every sunday of the school year with the goal of keeping, cultivating and developing our 100% culture BMX Freestyle! In the whole places and events we go there is this ambient. this one that put all kind of riders together, that makes a competition like a BMX party! A way to organize sessions and events where the pros or amateurs are mixing and riding together ! This is the strength of our sport, and the introductions we make wrap our idea. Time2Ride future ? Keep playing the association and reference role in Paris, developing BMX Street of even Flatland trainees for the young members. You have to know that every sunday at EGP18, kids are lucky to be guided in Park by all the staff for free. So the future is maybe paying trainees for kids and why not helping groups of Riders to go to big parks in France of Europe. In the long term and in the best world, the objective would be to have a real skatepark managed by the association itself. But unfortunately, due to the price in Paris and the lack of space it’s impossible... But I know that the T2R management committee as well as Zack are looking for a warehouse in the Val de Marne where apparently there would be some possibilities in a distant but nice future! Nobody is irreplaceable, and we wont necessarily be there for 10 years but BMX Freestyle will be for ever and won’t belongs to anyone except to his members. That’s why, I think, the association will keep going as long as Riders exists to take the commands! Tell us about EGP, what’s going on there ?
Yes indeed ! Like developping Freestyle practice on the official side, with the Paris Town Hall for example. I sometimes councel on projects, in the présent time or for the future. Also, my experience will help popularize our sport in Paris as well as educating. I am proud to tell that followers at EGP18 range from beginners to good riders, even sometimes professionals ! This link between beginners and good rider is outmost to anybody ! This experiment helps me also to get kids out of their own strict rules to a broadened educated view.
The Area Sledging Paris 18 ! This is the first real park that Paris city hall built with a long work of conception for the architecture, for the management of the disciplines concerned of for the planning. 3 associations has advised the city hall. 1 skate and 1 roller club as well as T2R. 3000m2 dedicate to urban board sports : Skate, Roller, BMX and lastly Freestyle scooter. The EGP18 is mostly managed by the UCPA for the maintenance and the public welcome. The establishment is still under the aegis of Paris city hall via his Youth and Sport service. Our work consists to secure the practical on different existing slot : Free slop / introduction / Municipal school of sports / Welcome groups. Each discipline’s specialist (as for me BMX) develop, promote, supervise, advice and actively participate to the good progress of all of these slot. In skate, BMX or roller you’ll always have someone to help you.
Tell us about T2R, his story, his future ?
Tell us about the TPG, how does it work ?
You are one of the few Freestyle supervisor in the Isle of France; does it help you in BMX ?
Time2 Ride is a non-profit association born ten years ago in the brain of a few Paris kids who gathered to popularize BMX in the Isle of France. Some of the Little Bikes, along with Dim Ivanov, Ben Glemarec and myself got started before asking John Petit to be our squadron leader on this Riding Venture.. John and Ben did their outmost to get things organized with the officials and varied city hall. We worked really hard during Vitry Sur Seine to organize BMX sessions at the Roller Park Avenue! Unfortunately, it’s when we realized it was a business and that people were messing with us. Personally this disappoints and not motivates me at this time and I let John and Ben alone during about two years. In the meantime, they created THE jam “Week End Warriors” with the Abbeville guys! And it is this way that the association starts
Well, we progress from year to year. The french riders’ level is higher and higher! It’s great, we can imagine that from the beginning of The Parisians trophy all of them evolved. Every year riders get all together to the first step at Bercy and it’s like fire at the park! The Parisian Trophy consists in 3 disciplines (BMX, SKATE, ROLLER) on three different places : Espace Glisse of Paris Bercy, La Muette, EGP18.. Compared to the first year, we grew up and we improved our method by making these steps with more sweep and more attractive for spectators and riders! Zack and Ludo our crazy speakers are giving all they’ve got and our partners also play the game. Until there we are lucky and hope to make these events grow up for next year! Before that, be at the appointment for the final on May 25th at the EGP!!
Let’s talk about Parisians, how is the atmosphere ?
AHHH ! Paris and it’s suburbs ! Well after years and years of criticism. we can tell loud and clear : IT’S PARIS OVER HERE ! I really think that the Parisian scene is one of the coolest on the territory. Back in the day, riders passing through Paris said that they would never come back, this kind of things. But for many years, we’ve got lots of park that flourish everywhere and so the bmxers that move from place to place. What further a pretty cool atmosphere where everybody invites one another. Over here there is no competitions! However, during sessions, guys are riding mad. But honestly, we are all proud to have known how to keep a chill atmosphere like it was before by mixing “training” and “party where anyone takes himself seriously”! Of course there is still some exceptions that confirm the following rule : There is always gonna be a percentage of idiots ! What would you like to change in BMX in France ?
Humm, I don’t really know... Honestly I’d like people to get off internet and go out more often. What is the link with BMX ? Riders have the same symptom as a big part of our society. We watch too much internet and the reality show! We are giving attention to the new videos updated from nowhere while in front of our places there is some more or less young people that are doing the same. Nowadays everybody has an opinion on everything. However to make things
change, there is no one. I’d like people to move themselves to create things and to be together rather than criticizing everything and doing absolutely nothing. BMX is a little bit like a microcosm where active and passive are mixed but these latter make more noise than the first. A message for young (and old people) ?
For young people : Be less fool and more mature!! For old people : Be less fool and more young! Any thanks ?
NO ! I hate everybody, especially not my parents that suffered the bmx illness as they could! I won’t thank my wife and my children that are not supporting me anymore from the day I forget their birthday. I don’t thank La Cremerie that never helps me finding bmx parts, most of all since I’m part of their team! A big NO THANK to la Cremerie without whom I would never be an idiot! I would never thank enough the guys from T2R, Max, Cyp, Zack, Yannick, Pascal..... I also don’t thank you the Renos with Mimiche which is always complaining, chinese without hair, tiouzma highland, dijor the punch, Petek the photographer voyeur, mallier mimolette, Magnan the magnanimous man... Dedication to the father of riding : Caillard Masto, Legrain Mickael, John Petit, Wesh la paull ! And I don’t kiss Ben Glemarec! Little Bikes : coooome on !!!
126 - photo - france
fred mairet
carcassone citĂŠ sombre
Brice
grand pere spana francia
tpg
bus driver clamart
You’re a photographer too, with what are you shooting ? What king of style are you looking for ?
I take pictures with a D5100 Nikon, 18 - 55 mm / 55 - 200 mm / a fixed. I try to find an angle, a light or a visual idea that i could find again if I choose to take a picture. I’m doing a lot of dynamics around BMX, Skate or roller and it’s frankly difficult to do something extra-ordinary because there is so many talented photographers in this field. Personally, I’ve no pretention to be good. My pleasure reside in this obsession I have when I photograph a rider : “Am I representing well that tricks as I should ? Do we really see the impressive side of this course ?”
ghislain Fremont VS bowl
hugo lemaigat
GHETTO vs KID
nico cremerie
pluie psykĂŠ benicarlo
GHETTO vs BMX
antoine mallier
138 - oldschool - usa by mark gray
woodward OS Reunion At this years OS Reunion at Camp Woodward West in Tehachapi California was the biggest turnout so far as per Steve Swope who is the man in charge!! Happy to be here again with all of our BMX creators and legends once again it was a spectacular get together again. It was great seeing that as we grow older each year all the crew still make it to this event and don’t let there older age get in the way of riding from Megaramp to the indoor vert ramp and flatland precision!! Jose Yanez backflipping into the foam pit in the original movie «RAD!» uniform was a piece of history returning to our memory banks again! usual faces like Ron Wilkerson, Brian Blyther, Xavier mendez, Dave Voekler and more had a great time riding and partying like they were still on tour in the 1980’s! Other riders which still compete today like gladiators Dennis McCoy, Kevin Robinson, Coco Zurita and Austin Coleman pulling big competitive moves all weekend showing nothing can get in their path to this day. These riders also had to get right to Brazil to compete in the X Games directly after the get together showed the passion they have for BMX. Dave Mirra’s 2005 24 carat gold Haro (now owned by me) to travel the globe with keeping Dave in the sport, had the bike which EVERYONE had to at least ride it or take a photo next to it put smiles on everyones faces. «That’s what it’s all about» said Mark... With a small handful of oldschool
Kevin Robinson doing the big air on megaramp
bikes in the bar area on Saturday night party and a huge cork board poster of a picture from Dew Tour, that I took a few years back of him was autographed for Ryan Guetler who had his spleen removed the week prior at a Sheep Hills dirt juming, event that he hosted blew him away when I gave it to him at his house. Made my heart feel warm... As the group thinned out after the usual indoor flatland jam by the bar by Dave Nourie, Martin Aparijo and more the party slowed down pushing everyone back to the room areas at Hilltop and the Lodge where afterparty mania went on well after 4 AM!! Eddie Fiola had his cool new EF Proformer prototype hand built by Johnny True Torch in Santa Ana was BAD ASS!!!... As Sunday morning rolled in I woke up at 1PM Sunday morning finding the entire Camp empty. As tired as we were... We stayed another night having the whole place to ourselves in the tranquil serenety that the mounteness enviorment put’s off is so calming to the mind leaving Monday instead which was a sacred night we will never forget. You know who you are my beautiful lady friend!!! Ha HAAA.... See ya next year in Tehachapi for another awsome time frome everyone in the shadows of history in BMX. Thanks to Steve Swope for creating this repeating event and of course Gary Ream owner of Camp Woodward.. You have made the sport of BMX and more excell in major ways!!!
Ron Wilkerson on the Megaramp
Brian Blyther and Donavin Ritter
Nasty on the Mirra’s gold bike
MaRk Gray and Ryan Guetler
Haro Mirra’s gold bike on display with others and
John Povah and Xavier Mendez
Eddie fiola with his new bike
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142 - TEAM photo guillaume ducreux
Marien Devillard
A.R.T. BMX WEBZINE #2 - May 2013 publishing Paris BMX School # Siret 535 226 401 00011
126 rue de Turenne 75003 Paris France www.artbmxmag.com info@artbmxmag.com
PUBLISHER Alain Massabova alain@artbmxmag.com Tel +33 611 171 826
EDITOR Patrick Guimez pat@artbmxmag.com Racing staff Moana Moo Caille moana@artbmxmag.com worldwide Luis Elías Benavides luis@artbmxmag.com
Advertising pub@artbmxmag.com Translating Ksenia Kozlitina Maureen Montuori Christophe Gentizon BD (Comics) Nicolas Curie
TEAM Christian VanHanja Chris Dietschy Manu Sanz JC Pieri Peka Devé Trevlon Hall Chase Gouin Yasuyuki Takeo Seb Ronjon Franck Belliot Mark Gray Viki Gomez Karim Bel Bachir Jesse Puente
Guests Antony Magne Stan Evans Paco Images Morgan Mathurin Marie Meuret Hugo Bagneres Nicholas Schrunk Nathan Silva Kolesky James Casimus Tony Donaldson Windy Osborn Chris Mannion Selector Marx
Blaine Mazzetti Fred Mairet Guillaume Ducreux Olivier Weidemann Cedric Derodot THANKS TO Yann Delomez Cyrille Lecointe Jeremy Moser