BMX FREESTYLE FLATLAND

Imagine breakdancing … on a bike

Best described as breakdancing on bikes, riders perform dizzying routines of skill and creativity, competing in 2-3 minute rounds to show the very best of their athletic and artistic ability.

Riders have nothing but their bike and the blank canvas of a smooth surface to style and spin their way to a mesmerising medal-worthy routine that you have to see to believe.

Attempting and nailing a variety of tricks in a natural flow is everything for a high scoring Flatland round. As well as raw talent and pure creativity, judges are looking for consistency when it comes to balance, stability and control of both body and bike.

Expect bikes at impossible angles, superhuman skills that defy reality, and riders in spin cycles… literally. With the speed the tricks are attempted at, it’s easy for the riders to get dizzy. But maximum points require minimum floor touches.

Flatland is a totally unique event, more rap battle than road race, where the crowd gets just as hyped as the competitors. Only one surface may be flat, but the atmosphere is anything but!

RIDER TO WATCH Kio Hayakawa (JPN)

Born and raised in Nagaoka City, the 21-year-old rising star made his debut on the global stage in 2022 and has quickly become renowned for his unique tricks, dubbed ‘Hayakawa Originals’. Instagram @kio_hayakawa

Did you know?

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Top Tricks

From half cab to can can, decades to disconnects, tailwhips to time machines, the names of the tricks are almost as inventive as the tricks themselves.

Eat It

The first Flatland bunnyhop tailwhip was landed in a popular burger chain car park by BMX legend Bill Nitschke, so was named a ‘Whopper’!

The Bike

Traditionally the wheelbase of a BMX Freestyle Flatland bike is shorter, to make pedalling and spinning much easier. But some riders often opt for slightly bigger street BMX bikes.