MINI WINS FMX BATTLE NZ

The competition was fierce at the New Zealand Freestyle MotoX championship series for the 2010 title. The FMX Battle line up of NZ and Australian riders fought hard over the two-round series with Australian Steve Mini coming out on top in both the Wanganui and Tauranga events, achieving the overall title.

Red Bull rider and New Zealand defending champion Nick Franklin managed the runner up position at both rounds and for the overall series.Brisbane’s Steve Sommerfeld took third in Wanganui and fourth in Tauranga, gaining an overall result of third for the series, barely edging out NZ young gun Liston Borrie who scored a sixth and a third. Wanganui’s Raceweek played host to the first round and despite being postponed with adverse weather, still had a fantastic turnout. Tauranga fortunately had fantastic riding conditions and a crowd of equally enthusiastic fans. Riders and spectators alike were all impressed by the level of competition and production of the show.

“The best competition I’ve been to” raved Steve Mini, “I’ll definitely be back next year”. FMX Battle organiser Mary Perkins was grateful to the Wanganui Council, Red Bull and Smith Optics for their support in making the event possible. “We are looking forward to another busy season of Encounter FMX demonstrations, and plans are already underway for the next FMX Battle Championship with more stops in the series” Perkins commented.

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SHERWOOD CONFIRMED FOR NITRO CIRCUS

New Zealand’s very own freestyle motocross (FMX) superstar, Levi Sherwood, will join Travis Pastrana and the entire Nitro Circus crew for their huge one night only show at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday February 5.

The 18-year-old from Palmerston North has shot to global fame in recent years following his huge success on the international competition circuit, which includes a silver medal in FMX at this year’s X Games and three Red Bull X Fighters World Tour wins, one in his debut in Mexico in 2009 and two in this year’s competition.

Sherwood will ride alongside FMX legend Pastrana in his first ever Nitro Circus Live performances. The two went head to head at the 2010 X Games in what was one of the closest FMX battles in the event’s history, with Pastrana taking gold on the day and pushing his X Games medal collection to 17.

“I am so pumped about riding with the Nitro Circus crew and to make my debut with them in front of all of my NZ fans is going to be amazing,” said Sherwood.

“Riding alongside Travis [Pastrana] who has always been my idol is going to be incredible and I can’t wait to get out there and throw down everything I have got.”

Nitro Circus ring leader Pastrana said “Levi [Sherwood] is without doubt the most exciting young rider in the world right now. If he remains uninjured he could dominate the sport for years to come and I am so pumped to have him riding on my NZ tour.”

Joining Pastrana and Sherwood will be the entire Nitro Circus crew from the hit MTV show including Jolene Van Vugt (CAN), Erik Roner (USA), Jim De Champ (USA), Special Greg (USA), Streetbike Tommy (USA) and Dusty Wygle (USA).

2009 FMX X games gold medalist Blake ‘Bilko’ Williams (AUS) and the only rider performing FMX double back flips, Cam Sinclair (AUS) will headline as well as Steve Mini (AUS), Chuck Norris (AUS), Josh Sheehan (AUS) and Jarryd McNeil (AUS). Clint Moore (AUS) is also heading to New Zealand to throw down his insane body varial, which got him fourth overall in the 2010 X Games FMX Biggest Trick.

Fans can expect to see kids trikes, snow skis, tandem bikes, razor scooters and much more launched with skill off the Gigant-A-Ramp.

The Nitro Circus brand founded by Travis Pastrana, Gregg Godfrey and Jeremy Rawle has enjoyed a rapid rise to global popularity, started by the innovative DVD series featuring Travis and friends performing outrageous stunts and on a range of crazy contraptions.

In 2009, they partnered with MTV to create a new smash hit TV series produced by Entertainment and Dickhouse productions, which has aired to huge ratings in over 60 countries over two seasons.

In 2011 Nitro Circus Live will tour the globe with shows scheduled in the USA, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.

Tickets are on sale now. For all tour updates and behind the scenes content visit www.nitrocircuslive.com

Tour schedule
Date                                       Location                Venue
Saturday February 5              Auckland                North Harbour Stadium
Wednesday February 9          Wellington             Westpac Stadium
Saturday February 12            Hamilton                Waikato Stadium
Wednesday February 16       Christchurch           AMI Stadium
Saturday February 19            Dunedin                  Carisbrook Stadium

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FMX CHAMPIONSHIP TWO ROUND SERIES!

New Zealand’s only Freestyle Motocross championship has expanded into a two round series with Tauranga confirmed as the host for the second event this summer. Wanganui will host the first round on December 28th with the second and final round commencing on 3rd January at the Tauranga Domain’s Wharepai Reserve.

Now with double the prize money up for grabs the incentive for more international riders to compete is even greater. Organisers will be using the same head-to-head battle format in round two that gives round one its great entertainment factor, and have decided that having a two round series will offer the championship a more accurate winner.

‘Our goal for this event is to leave the fans with lasting memories, and we believe we can accomplish this through the head-to-head format as it creates a tense and exciting atmosphere’ commented event production manager ‘Scary’ Mary Perkins.

Perkins sees Tauranga as the perfect location for the championship’s second round due to the rise in population which the Bay of Plenty sees each summer. Mt Maunganui and Papamoa tourists can expect a great show with extreme entertainment value.

Due to the calibre of riders competing, this event is guaranteed to be popular and pre purchasing tickets is recommended. To do so, check out www.fmxbattle.co.nz - gate sales will also be available.

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FMX BATTLE 2010 RIDERS CONFIRMED

Source: EFMXMedia/Jo Landon



As far as freestyle motocross goes, New Zealand riders have limited opportunities to compete. X-games and Red Bull X-fighters have both made their mark on the world but hold limited spaces for our Australasian market. So the annual Red Bull sponsored FMX Battle is one of a kind hitting Wanganui on 28th December for the second year running.

The line-up of riders is, to say the least, impressive. Levi Sherwood was hoping to compete but after a major crash breaking both his femur and wrist he has been forced to pull out. Avid fans can rest easy though; he is still excited as ever to be involved in other capacities.
“I’ll defiantly still be involved – I want to help out however I can as it’s a great event for the local industry” he says.


Despite Sherwood’s withdrawal, the show is still expected to have the wow-factor to satisfy all ages. Last year’s champion and Red Bull rider, Nick Franklin, has confirmed his participation and Steve Sommerfeld, third place rival, will also be back with a score to settle. New faces to Red Bull FMX Battle include Crusty Demon Steve Mini who has recently been touring Australia with Travis Pastrana and the Nitro Circus.

New Zealand will be well represented with Encounter FMX riders Josh Thomson, Ryan Laskey, and Liston Borrie all set to take on the championship challenge. Crowds may even see first-time competitor and local rider, Jason White, take the stage which just goes the show the great opportunities this event is providing to the industry.

Tickets will be available from the gate or you can pre-purchase from www.fmxbattle.co.nz

Get a group together for this great end-of-year event!

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FREESTYLER’S SET FOR CHAMPIONSHIP BATTLE

It’s back again! FMX Battle is returning to Wanganui this summer with even more action and a tougher line-up of competitors. FMX Battle is New Zealand’s only annual Freestyle MotoX competition, and has a head-to-head competition style making it fast paced and spectator friendly. The event made its debut last December, in conjunction with Race Week, and proved to be a great night out for all ages.

Levi "Rubberkid" Sherwood

With rivals from over the ditch returning again this year, the competition is guaranteed to be worth watching. Red Bull X-Fighters winner, Levi Sherwood, has confirmed his participation at the event making it his first performance back in New Zealand after his current leg injury. Sherwood (18yrs) took out the victory at X-Fighters in Moscow and London this year, and also earned himself a silver medal at X-Games for Freestyle MotoX. Other confirmed New Zealand & Australian riders are due to be released next month so keep your eyes peeled for more details.

The brain behind the operation is ‘Scary’ Mary Perkins who runs Encounter FMX, New Zealand’s premier FMX team. Perkins will be putting $10,000 prize money on the line for Australasia’s most impressive and consistent rider.

Sherwood constantly pushing the boundaries of extension

‘Scary’ Mary and her team are running the competition in a similar format to the popular RedBull X-Fighters tour and as Red Bull has already signed on as the event’s major sponsor, plans are well underway. Additional sponsors include Wanganui District Council and Smith Optics.

So mark your calendars for Tuesday 28th December and get along to the Cooks Gardens in Wanganui to see all the action FMX Battle will have to offer - sure to be a great night for all! For more information check out fmxbattle.co.nz.

Posted By: OllieS
Photo credits: Red Bull

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AUSSIE TAKES X GAMES GOLD AND SILVER

Australian freestyle motocross (FMX) sensation Blake ‘Bilko' Williams has taken Gold and Silver in his biggest competition event of the year, X Games 15, which was held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles this weekend.

The invite-only action sports event brings together the world's best athletes to battle it out for Gold, Silver and Bronze in their respective discipline.

Williams collected silver in yesterday's Moto X Best Trick, with a 360 Indian air and perfectly-executed cliffhanger flip to no-handed lander bringing the crowd and fellow riders to their feet.

With the judges proving hard to impress, Bilko dug deep into his repertoire of tricks today to take a deserved career-first gold in Moto X Freestyle by a single point after three runs.

The achievement also marks the first time an international rider has taken a Gold medal in the Freestyle category in the history of X Games.

The result is the ultimate reward for the 24-year-old from Baxter in country Victoria, who has now reached the action sport's pinnacle.

"After being robbed of gold in the Best Trick event last night it really lit a fire under my belly to settle for nothing less than gold tonight," said Williams, whose previous best X Games medal was a bronze.

"I am stoked, tonight was the one that counted and it was an amazing feeling to get the win in front of my Mum and Dad who flew over for the event.

"It has been a long couple of weeks and to be honest I actually didn't have the preparation I would have liked.

"I want to dedicate the medal to the late Jeremy Lusk and Bronte Holland and also my mate Cam Sinclair who I should have been competing against tonight."

The next event on Bilko's schedule is the Wendy's Invititional at Portland, the first of three FMX stops on the 2009 Dew Tour.

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