FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

We're not sure if it was the announcement of Mat Hoffman competing at the Masters but many riders showed up to be on top of the ramp together with the legendary Condor. Mat actually had some bad luck leading up to the contest. First of all he was operated upon his knee only two weeks before the comp. He couldn't walk before that but it all healed in time (or passed Mat's pain barrier) for him to compete. On his way here, one flight got cancelled and two were delayed making his trip less than enjoyable. On arrival his gear bag did not show up forcing him to get some shoes and shorts to even be able to ride. Once on top of the vert ramp for a training session he pumped up his tire which caused a flat. Sweet. Two more flats followed on the weekend but Mat has dealt with bad luck and pain before.

His fellow riders enjoyed his company and so did the big crowd. Time was allowed for each rider to try a hard trick at the end of their run. There was no buzzer or anything like that that immediately ended everyone's run.

First want to thank Rick and all the VBMX'er staff that made this a great experience!!! This trip almost didn't happen due to a rare tumor I have in my jaw but was able to shuffle some appointments around to get to the Rock this year. Carolyn and I had our hands full at the last minute to get everything packed and I still needed to build the bikes on Thursday! Our 5 1/2 hour trip with a trailer full of bikes was a tad interesting but made it in for the swap meet, which unfortunately there was not a lot of representation? Set up the canopy (MN Faction) and headed over to watch some motos, the racing is so fast at the Rock!

The NBL/UCI Elite Series, which ran parallel to the UCI North American Continental Series, came to a close at the NBL Stars N’ Stripes National in South Park and Formula’s Donny Robinson and Fly/Supercross’s Krystal Hime have won their respective Elite Men and Elite Women’s titles. In keeping with the tradition of offering the most lucrative level of Elite racing in the country, the NBL added the program as a ‘series within a series’ to further promote the UCI North American Continental races, paying out more than $13,000 in purses and $10,000 in year-end awards. 

We're back from the BMX Masters and can finally give you an update or 2 on the happenings in Cologne. After trying to upload one photo for over an hour from the press office I gave up. The Vito hotel didn't have a connection either. Damn, it's only Monday, give me a break. Here's the dirt report to start with.

Suzuki BMX Masters Dirt The big roll-in was placed in an angle where you actually couldn't even see the jumps because of all the trees. After dropping in a 90 degree right turn lead you to the first big set, followed by another big set and then a hipper to the right and a smaller double. The 90 degree left hand turn lead you to the last set where you had to jump into a hole first. It was a nice change from the regular big jump set-up and Marcus Hampl and crew did a great job. It was easy to pick out the real trail riders from those trying to make it through.

It was a straight final for all those who entered on Saturday night.

Friday, 21 July 2006 New for 2006, BMX Big Air is coming to X Games 12, see it LIVE only Pay Per View Mat Hoffman pioneered the big ramp era when he built the first big quarterpipe in the spring of 1992. He went 23’ above a 21’ tall quarter pipe, more than doubling any previous highest air. In the spring of 2001 he set a new record high air at 26.5 feet and is officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Highest BMX Vert Air”. In Dec. 21, 2000, Colin Winkelman sets World record longest BMX jump record at 116 ft.  Put these two ramps together and you have the Mega Ramp and BMX Big Air.

It's their birhday, don't let it slip.

24 July  - Jose Delgado 1964
26 July - Freddie Chulo
27 July - Jon Taylor 1972
28 July - Mike Miller turns 18

FATBMX had landed in Cologne for the BMX Masters. The set up is huge as ever. The street course has some new ramps and pro qualifying was going on when the first rain in three weeks arrived. Typical.

The dirt course looks bitchin with a few turns in the set up. Some had it dialled, some didn't but the finals should bring some good riding. Luckily (in this case) the flatland area is covered with a huge tent so that discipline can go on even when it keeps raining.

Mat Hoffman has arrived so seeing him ride the vert ramp is on everyone's program. Mat's gearbag did not arrive and he has been buying clothes left and right at the local BMX stands. The Braun Mini ramp will see some good riding too because Dave Osato is in town.

Stay tuned for more updates here on FATBMX.com

At Red Bull they're not afraid to take things a step further. When the riders have something in mind that they want to do they go out of their way to make it happen. Take Senad's set-up for example. The photos of Senad Grosic before and after shows you that not all jumps went perfect. Click READ MORE for the action shots and a better view of the set up. Thanks to Senad for sending in the photos.