Yamaha’s Brice Izzo2013 NIGHT of the JUMPS Riga 2013 PreviewThe FIM Freestyle MX World Championship enters its decisive phase on Saturday, Oct. 26, when the world’s best freestyle motocross riders contest the Latvian Grand Prix at Arena Riga. There are now only three World Championship events remaining on the 2013 NIGHT of the JUMPS calendar.
The 10 riders from six different countries will be totally focused on scoring vital points in the championship campaign as they perform their breathtaking tricks and keep the audience well entertained.The field of contestants is led by Frenchman David Rinaldo who already has two Grand Prix victories and three runner-up spots to his credit this season. He currently tops the standings on 116 points and is the main contender for the 2013 FIM Freestyle MX World Championship crown.Rinaldo is the man to beat in Riga, and that’s exactly what the Czech Republic’s Libor Podmol will be aiming to do. The two front-runners are separated by a four-point gap. Podmol has only one winner’s trophy so far this term, but he has made four additional podium appearances. He can be relied upon to go all out in Riga to reduce or even cancel out the deficit on Rinaldo.And in this regard, he can count on the solid support of France’s Brice Izzo who is back in the championship hunt after an injury-induced lay-off. Izzo is currently in fourth place on 84 points and has a great chance of overtaking third-placed Spanish bullfighter Dany Torres (84 points) who has been forced to miss out on the Riga and Liberec weekends through injury.Other candidates for bronze are Petr Pilat (CZE, 65 points, #6), Hannes Ackermann (GER, 61 points, #7) and Jose Miralles (ESP, 61 points, #8). They will also be intent on impressing the fans and the judges in Riga as they vie for a Top Three finish to the season.After a long absence, Rob Adelberg returns to the world championship fray. 2010 was the last time the Australian featured at NIGHT of the JUMPS. Adelberg has been in impressive form this year, winning the Red Bull X-Fighters in Glen Helen (USA).Maikel Melero (ESP), Massimo Bianconcini (ITA) and Kai Hasse (GER) complete the starting line-up at Arena Riga. Also on the NIGHT of the JUMPS programme is the Maxxis Highest Air. In this spectacular side-contest, which also has its own championship title, Bianconcini currently leads the standings pursued by Haase and Melero in third and fourth places respectively.This will be the eighth time that Riga has hosted NIGHT of the JUMPS. Local fans will once again thrill to the sight and sound of the top riders performing acrobatic tricks and demonstrating sporting prowess.NIGHT of the JUMPs Riga 2013, FIM Freestyle MX World Championship Round 8Arena Riga / LatviaRidersfield: David Rinaldo (FRA) Libor Podmol (CZE) Brice Izzo (FRA) Petr Pilat (CZE) Hannes Ackermann (GER) Jose Miralles (ESP) Maikel Melero (ESP) Massimo Bianconcini (ITA) Kai Haase (GER) Rob Adelberg (AUS)FIM Freestyle MX World Championships Ranking (after 7 contests) 1. David Rinaldo FRA, FFM, Yamaha; 116 Points 2. Libor Podmol CZE, ACCR, Yamaha: 112 Points 3. Dany Torres ESP, RFME, KTM: 84 Points 4. Brice Izzo FRA, FFM, Yamaha: 83 Points 5. Remi Bizouard FRA, FFM, Kawasaki: 72 Points 6. Petr Pilat CZE, ACCR, KTM: 65 Points 7. Hannes Ackerman, GER DMSB, KTM: 61 Points 8. Jose Miralles ESP, RFME, KTM: 61 Points 9. Maikel Melero ESP, RFME, KTM: 53 Points 10. Massimo Bianconcini ITA, PZM, KTM: 49 Points 11. Kai Haase GER, DMSB, Suzuki: 36 Points 12. Clinton Moore AUS, MA, Yamaha: 22 Points 13. Gabriel Villegas CHL, FMC, KTM: 16 Points 14. Rich Kearns USA, AMA, Kawasaki: 10 Points 15. Martin Koren CZE, ACCR, KTM: 7 Points 16. Joel Brown AUS, MA, Yamaha: 7 Points 17. James Carter USA, AMA, Honda: 6 Points
