FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

In motocross this time of the year is called "silly season". Actually silly season was a couple of weeks ago. It is the time when riders switch sponsors and, get dropped from a ride or pick up a new sponsorship. The future for paid deals isn't looking too bright. The economy might not have hit BMX as hard as it did the car industry but bike companies don't know what's ahead so instead of spending their money, they better hold on to it, or spend less.

Latest victims are Specialized riders Marcus Tooker and Allan Cooke so it looks like Specialized dropped it's BMX rider program altogether. Allan also lost Boost Mobile and FOX as his sponsors so if anyone can modify his RV to drive on veggy oil, get in touch with him. Kevin Kirali and Kim Hayashi lost their rides with Redline, TJ Lavin lost Schwinn, Simon Tabron and Steve McCann got dropped

Some pro riders do more than just ride. Take Kye Forte for instance. When he is not blogging away for the websites of his sponsors, he is probably working on the Empire of Dirt contest. If that slows down a bit he's at the Decoy trails digging away or working with the local council to get more spots in the Newton Abbott area like the concrete park they just got. Now add the job as DC's UK team manager to that and he will be busier than ever. But it's all BMX related so you won't hear any complaints coming out of Kye. The current UK DC squad looks like this:
-Kye Forte
-Martin Tambling
-Leo Forte
-Mike Taylor

Free Agent, the world champion BMX race brand FREEAGENT have announced it has signed a distribution agreement with REECE CYCLES, UK. “Having been involved with BMX since 1983 & owning an original FA back in the 80’s I feel it’s an awesome opportunity for myself & Reece to re establish the brand here in the UK. I am also very proud that we (FREEAGENT) will be the frame sponsor for the “STAY STRONG”, UK BMX race team for 2009.The team has been created to increase awareness to the fund for Stephen Murray, who was tragically injured whilst competing” said Jason Boness, Product Manager, Reece cycles

“Having the Free Agent name back in the UK with Reece 

So since the news leaked out last week, I thought that I would let everyone know what's up. Beloe Footwear is finished. It was really sudden, and literally came out of nowhere. I don't really know how to explain it without getting into a gray legal area, so I won't. Bottom line, it's gone. It won't be back. I don't know what I'm going to do, but will keep everyone posted. Thanks for all the support that you have given over the last year and a half. For the most part, 

4Down, the Hastings BMX distribution company, has won £2500 worth of Google adwords in the 2008 HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards. 4Down Distribution, founded in 2006, won the Google adwords campaign as one of the runners' up in the main 'start-up' category. The overall winner, winning £50,000 in cash, was Bulldog Natural Grooming. The awards presentation took place late last week at a black-tie ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

Vans is proud to announce the appointment of Andy Zeiss as the Vans EMEA BMX Team Manager. Vans:”It’s great to have Andy in the Vans family now and we are convinced that with his help, experience and knowledge the team will reach a next level of bmx riding.”

Andy is 35 years old and lives in Germany. BMX has been a part of his life for a long time. He says on his new position: “I’m super stoked on the new job and I’m looking forward to working with the whole team. Together we want to develop new ideas and ways to celebrate BMX in Europe.” 

The dream to open up a store in Wuppertal, Germany had been playing in their heads for a long time. On 15 November the dream is coming true. The Local Face will opened on this day and the shop can be best described as: By Riders, For Riders. With an ever growing scene in Wuppertal with dirtspots, good street riding and the Wicked Woods indoor park, it was just a matter of time to provide the riders what they needed. BMX parts will come from: Colony, Verde, DK, We the People, Hoffman, Eastern, Subrosa, Mankind, Simple, snafu, Felt, Flybikes, Odyssey, S&M, and Proper. The clothing line

Adrenaline Alley is the UK’s largest indoor skate park and urban sport venue. With a growing National and International reputation, Adrenaline Alley has exciting plans for substantial growth and investment in new facilities.

In preparation for this we are reorganising our operations structure and intend to fill vacancies for two Team Managers and one Park Supervisor over the coming months. 

The Hayes Bicycle Group has appointed Jon Wells to the position of SUNringlé BMX Account Manager. Wells most recently worked for HBG as a Dealer Sales Representative. He brings eight years of competitive BMX racing experience in addition to six years on the freestyle side of the sport. Wells’ key responsibilities will be to

Westfield is Vans’ first mall based store in Europe, set to open on the 30th October 2008. The store design incorporates Vans’ DNA in a functional and original way, features include;

· The footwear wall: inspired by the waffle sole utilised on Vans shoes since 1966. The waffle sole has been adopted by the pioneers of skateboarding because of its amazing board feeling and has become one of the strongest Vans symbols throughout the years.