
In 2004 Scott O’Brien was just a man with an idea -- to show the world his passion for flatland by hosting a contest inside a nightclub while bringing the audience as close to the riders as possible. Ten years later his passion for the sport and Voodoo Jam is stronger than ever! After the finals ended, Scott said, “We proved to all of BMX that flatland is relevant…flatland belongs. Flatland should be in the forefront of BMX riding, and we show it every year at Voodoo Jam.”

3. Naoto Tamaru
As with any reoccurring contests, Voodoo Jam is a great way to track a riders’ progress, and Naoto Tamaru is a perfect example of that as this year was his best showing yet. With his original style and difficult tricks, Naoto worked his way into the finals and finished in a solid sixth place.
4. DJ Mattik
When you have a contest inside one of New Orleans’ premier nightclubs, it’s imperative that you have a DJ who can get the riders and crowd pumped up. DJ Mattik was on it all night and never let up!

Viki Gomez rode incredibly consistent all night long and qualified first into the finals. He said his runs were dedicated to the Baco crew (Chad DeGroot, Chris Rye, Mark Hilson, and Aaron Behnke) who were there for the video premiere for “Push It To 11,” a documentary on the influential BacoVision BMX video series. Viki claimed he wanted to show his respect and appreciation to the crew that he considered to be his masters when he started riding.
6. Jean-William Prevost
"Dub," as Prevost is known, has been on the rise for the past few years, and I don’t think anyone is surprised that he’s now a podium threat at every major competition.
7. Tsutomu Kitayama
Last year’s Voodoo Jam champion Tsutomu Kitayama returned to the Crescent City to defend his title. While he didn’t find himself back on the podium, he did walk away with the rider-voted Best Trick award.
8. Terry Adams
Terry Adams loves to perform in front of crowds and thrives on the energy of his peers, so it was no surprise that he nailed one of his dream combos on the first try during the Best Trick contest, sending the audience and the other riders into an absolute uproar.
9. Terry Adams Fan Club
Terry is a local hero and celebrity in Louisiana and it’s probably safe to say that about half of the people inside Generations Hall went there specifically to see him perform.
10. Viki Gomez
After the 12 finalists each took their runs, the field was narrowed down to the top three competitors who took to the floor one last time for an epic three-man battle. Gomez’s final combo of the night was nearly flawless and lasted in the neighborhood of 60 seconds. Viki said it was “completely freestyle” with nothing planned and hoped his spontaneity would send a message to other riders.
When asked what the highlight of his night was, Terry Adams referred to Viki’s last link and said, “The dude seriously just kept going and going… He’s so controlled and doesn’t shake at all when he’s on his bike. He’s a true professional and he absolutely killed it. I’ll never forget that!”
11. Yohei Uchino
Ucchie has been in various spots on the podium several times throughout the history of Voodoo Jam, including the top spot at his first competition ever outside of Japan in 2008. This year his signature bike flip helped him land that top spot once again, and he could not have been happier.
12. Yohei Uchino & Scott O’Brien
O’Brien is known for getting so into the competition while announcing that he runs, jumps, slides, throws, and kicks in excitement after a rider pulls a combo. The crowd and riders both love it, as it adds to the energy and the show.
13. Voodoo Jam Trophies
Each year the trophies of Voodoo Jam are unveiled in dramatic fashion and put on display during the event. This year Brian Mattei came up with yet another creative concept to help add some New Orleans voodoo flair to the awards with a potion bottle theme.
14. Tyler Gilliard -- Riders’ Choice Award
In 2006 Tyler Gilliard made the journey from Southern Florida to Louisiana where he entered his second contest ever, winning the amateur division at Voodoo Jam. Now, nearly a decade later he was chosen by the best riders in the world to receive the Riders’ Choice Award after missing the pro finals by just one spot, finishing the contest in 13th place.
15. Voodoo Jam Podium: Jean-William Prevost, Yohei Uchino, & Viki Gomez
Canada, Japan, and Spain were all represented on the podium in a city that’s just as culturally diverse.
16. Terry Adams & Scott O’Brien
Voodoo Jam is a labor of love, and O’Brien and Adams have poured their hearts and souls into the event for the past ten years. Their long-time friendship shines through during the week of Voodoo Jam as they host riders from around the world in their home and create an experience for everyone that won’t be forgotten.
Final Results:
1. Yohei Uchino (Japan)
2. Viki Gomez (Spain)
3. Jean-William Prevost (Canada)
4. Takahiro Ikeda (Japan)
5. Alex Jumelin (France)
6. Naoto Tamaru (Japan)
7. Jason Plourde (Canada)
8. Terry Adams (USA)
9. Tsutomu Kitayama (Japan)
10. Gonzalo Bellanti (Argentina)
11. Bo Wade (USA)
12. James McGraw (USA)
Best Trick: Tsutomu Kitayama (Japan)
Rider’s Choice: Tyler Gilliard (USA)