FIM Freestyle Motocross
On Nov. 20-21, there will be vapor trails over the Czech city of Ostrava as 14 FMX rockets take off to contest the ninth and tenth rounds of this year’s NIGHT of the JUMPs / FIM Freestyle Motocross World Championship at the CEZ Arena.
The FMX title chase enters a decisive phase, with 40 championship points up for grabs. Joining the championship contenders for this backflip spectacular is Scott Murray, who will be making a renewed attempt to perform the first double backflip in the history of NIGHT of the JUMPs.
Following the breathtaking display of tricks in Riga that saw a reshuffle at the top of the FMX championship standings, all of the freestylers will have used the four-week break to perfect their runs for the final three fixtures on the calendar in Ostrava, Vienna and Fortalesa.
The FIM Freestyle MX World Championships table is narrowly headed by Spanish rider Jose Miralles, who has a two-point lead over Libor Podmol (CZE) and Brice Izzo (FRA).
So can Podmol use his home advantage in Ostrava to flip his way back to the top of the FMX standings, or will Miralles coolly build on his lead, or could Izzo conjure up some new tricks to leapfrog the other two?
The three-way FMX tussle at the top is turning out to be a thrilling contest, but the competition behind the front-runners is just as fierce.
Brody Wilson (USA) and Massimo Bianconcini (ITA) will be doing their level best to narrow the gap on the leaders and to keep alive their hopes of a podium spot.
Meanwhile, reigning World Champion Remi Bizouard has to go for outright victory in the remaining championship rounds to have even an outside chance of finishing amongst the Top 3.
Yet Africa’s FMX hero Alastair Sayer and Germany’s Fabian Bauersachs are hot on his heels and equally determined to improve their position in the overall standings.
Petr Pilat can also be counted on to produce some tough backflip combinations to secure his first ever NIGHT of the JUMPs podium in front of his home fans.
The rest of the FMX field is made up of German duo Hannes Ackermann and Lukas Weis, Czech wildcard riders Tomas Lysacek and Ales Liemann, plus IFMXF debutant Josh Sheehan (AUS). The Australian is definitely one to watch out for after his remarkable display in the Red Bull X-Fighters.
But quite apart from the championship battle, the two nights promise an action-packed programme of highlights. Regular X Games participant Scott Murray (USA) will be repeating the attempt he made last year at the CEZ Arena to perform the first double backflip in the history of NIGHT of the JUMPs.
And at just 12 years of age, the youngest German FMX rider, Luc Ackermann, will be wowing the crowds for the first time on Czech soil.
NIGHT of the JUMPs / FIM Freestyle FMX World Championship
(9th / 10th Rounds)
CEZ Arena Ostrava / Czech Republic
FMX Motorcycle Stunt Riders:
Jose Miralles (ESP)
Libor Podmol (CZE)
Brice Izzo (FRA)
Brody Wilson (USA)
Massimo Bianconcini (ITA)
Remi Bizouard (FRA)
Alastair Sayer (BOT)
Fabian Bauersachs (GER)
Petr Pilat (CZE)
Lukas Weis (GER)
Hannes Ackermann (GER)
Josh Sheehan (AUS)
Wildcard: Tomas Lysacek (CZE)
Wildcard: Ales Liemann (CZE)
FIM FMX World Championships Ranking (after 8 of 10 rounds)
1. Jose Miralles ESP RFME KTM 124 Points
2. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Suzuki 122 Points
3. Brice Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 122 Points
4. Brody Wilson USA AMA Yamaha 79 Points
5. Massimo Bianconcini ITAL DMSB KTM 73 Points
6. Rob Adelberg AUS MA Yamaha 72 Points
7. Remi Bizouard FRA FFM Yamaha 68 Points
8. Alastair Sayer BOT MSA Suzuki 62 Points
Fabian Bauersachs GER DMSB Suzuki 62 Points
10. Petr Pilat CZE ACCR KTM 59 Points
11. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki 53 Points
12. Hannes Ackermann GER DMSB KTM 44 Points
13. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 43 Points
14. Martin Koren CZE ACCR KTM 18 Points
15. Marcelo Simoes BRA CBM Yamaha 10 Points
16. Kai Haase GER DMSB Suzuki 8 Points
17. Aleksey Koleshnikov RUS KTM MFR 4 Points
18. Freddy Peters GER DMSB Yamaha 3 Points
