Two-time Mobile Skatepark Series Overall Best Trick Champion John Parker has long been one of the smoothest and most exciting riders on the pro circuit, but he’s been plagued by spectacular crashes this season, first during the X Games and then in September during the MSS event in Sacramento. When time expired on Parker’s first run in today’s pro BMX vert contest, however, both fans and fellow riders realized the respected veteran rider had just turned in a miraculous performance.
Parker kicked off his run with a perfect opposite flair, a trick he only recently re-learned after removing it from his repertoire a decade ago following a horrendous spill (he still won't do regular flairs). He followed up the flair and sealed a gold-medal-winning performance with multiple huge supermans, multiple 540 variations and his signature double-tailwhip, a trick only a handful of riders in the world can land.
Despite landing lots of 540s and flying higher than almost anyone else,
British rider
Simon Tabron, the day’s heavy favorite, was forced to settle for the silver medal. Chicago’s
Jimmy Walker claimed the bronze.
Fourth-place finisher
Koji Kraft delivered the best crash of the day. On his way back into the halfpipe after attempting a late double barspin, Koji missed the bars with his hands and almost landed toboggan-style. He finally got the bars turned enough to save himself (and his spleen) but not enough to avoid shooting off the side of the ramp like a rocket and into a nearby TV cameraman. Both Koji and the unlucky cameraman were fine, but the $20,000 TV camera was toast.
With a solid sixth-place finish, super-versatile
Tom Haugen qualified for the pro BMX Vert contest during the LG Action Sports Championships later this month in Manchester, England. He's one of only a handful of riders qualified to ride both vert and park during the championship event.
For more information, visit www.lgactionsports.com.
Photos by Chris Mitchell
BMX Vert Finals Pomona, California - October 1, 2005
Rider Hometown Age Run 1 Run 2 Score
1 John Parker
State College, PA 31 93.00 88.25 93.00
Sponsors: LG, Mad Croc Energy Gum, Paul Mitchell
2 Simon Tabron
Newquay, England 31 88.75 91.75 91.75
Sponsors: Mongoose/Hyundai, LG, Adidas, Ogio, X-Balm
3 Jimmy Walker
Gilberts, IL 34 89.25 87.50 89.25
Sponsors: Enemy Clothing, SCRAP Skatepark, Organ Donor, Suey Dynamite
4 Koji Kraft
Addison, IL 23 89.25 75.25 89.25
Sponsors: Oakley, Nike, Tree Bikes, Scrap Skatepark
5 Mike Mancuso
Winterville, NC 27 85.00 87.75 87.75
Sponsors: Vans, Sessions, Arnette, Lifetime BMX, Arnette, Snafu
6 Tom Haugen
Minneapolis, MN 29 87.25 85.50 87.25
Sponsors: Free Agent, UGP, EVS, SNAFU, Bell
7 Jim Burgess
Tempe, AZ 38 86.00 85.75 86.00
Sponsors: Revenge Industries, Sobe, Under Armour, Sifika Shoes, Lost Clothing
8 Jason Branham
Chicago, IL 23 83.00 84.25 84.25
Sponsors: Scrap Skatepark, V.P.
9 Ben Snowden
Hornell, NY 25 82.75 82.25 82.75
Sponsors: X-Grindz, Atomic X, Bolle Sunglasses, Supercross Bikes, Alpinestars, Knight Bikes, 43 Bolts, Alpinestars
10 Tom Stober
Woodward, PA 30 80.25 80.25
Sponsors: LG,Schwinn, Team Blowin’ It
11 Zack Warden
Ofallon, IL 16 78.75 80.00 80.00
Sponsors: Inopia Footwear, Failure Bikes, Tree Bicycles
12 Brian Gavagan
Denver, CO 33 76.00 77.00 77.00
Sponsors: Yellow Designs, Optic Nerve, Go Fast, Evolution Bikes, illegal Pete’s, Pro Designed Pads, Naked Juice
13 Andy Alvarez
North Hollywood, CA 20 71.25 71.75 71.75
Despite landing lots of 540s and flying higher than almost anyone else,
British rider Simon Tabron, the day’s heavy favorite, was forced to settle for the silver medal. Chicago’s Jimmy Walker claimed the bronze.
Fourth-place finisher Koji Kraft delivered the best crash of the day. On his way back into the halfpipe after attempting a late double barspin, Koji missed the bars with his hands and almost landed toboggan-style. He finally got the bars turned enough to save himself (and his spleen) but not enough to avoid shooting off the side of the ramp like a rocket and into a nearby TV cameraman. Both Koji and the unlucky cameraman were fine, but the $20,000 TV camera was toast.
With a solid sixth-place finish, super-versatile Tom Haugen qualified for the pro BMX Vert contest during the LG Action Sports Championships later this month in Manchester, England. He's one of only a handful of riders qualified to ride both vert and park during the championship event.
For more information, visit www.lgactionsports.com.
Photos by Chris Mitchell
BMX Vert Finals Pomona, California - October 1, 2005
Rider Hometown Age Run 1 Run 2 Score
1 John Parker
State College, PA 31 93.00 88.25 93.00
Sponsors: LG, Mad Croc Energy Gum, Paul Mitchell
2 Simon Tabron
Newquay, England 31 88.75 91.75 91.75
Sponsors: Mongoose/Hyundai, LG, Adidas, Ogio, X-Balm
3 Jimmy Walker
Gilberts, IL 34 89.25 87.50 89.25
Sponsors: Enemy Clothing, SCRAP Skatepark, Organ Donor, Suey Dynamite
4 Koji Kraft
Addison, IL 23 89.25 75.25 89.25
Sponsors: Oakley, Nike, Tree Bikes, Scrap Skatepark
5 Mike Mancuso
Winterville, NC 27 85.00 87.75 87.75
Sponsors: Vans, Sessions, Arnette, Lifetime BMX, Arnette, Snafu
6 Tom Haugen
Minneapolis, MN 29 87.25 85.50 87.25
Sponsors: Free Agent, UGP, EVS, SNAFU, Bell
7 Jim Burgess
Tempe, AZ 38 86.00 85.75 86.00
Sponsors: Revenge Industries, Sobe, Under Armour, Sifika Shoes, Lost Clothing
8 Jason Branham
Chicago, IL 23 83.00 84.25 84.25
Sponsors: Scrap Skatepark, V.P.
9 Ben Snowden
Hornell, NY 25 82.75 82.25 82.75
Sponsors: X-Grindz, Atomic X, Bolle Sunglasses, Supercross Bikes, Alpinestars, Knight Bikes, 43 Bolts, Alpinestars
10 Tom Stober
Woodward, PA 30 80.25 80.25
Sponsors: LG,Schwinn, Team Blowin’ It
11 Zack Warden
Ofallon, IL 16 78.75 80.00 80.00
Sponsors: Inopia Footwear, Failure Bikes, Tree Bicycles
12 Brian Gavagan
Denver, CO 33 76.00 77.00 77.00
Sponsors: Yellow Designs, Optic Nerve, Go Fast, Evolution Bikes, illegal Pete’s, Pro Designed Pads, Naked Juice
13 Andy Alvarez
North Hollywood, CA 20 71.25 71.75 71.75
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.