-About 55 minutes by Limousine bus from Osaka (Itami) Airport to Kyoto Station.
-2 hours 15 minutes by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station.
ALEX JUMELIN
Q.When did you start riding?
1989
Q.What made you start?
I wanted a BMX.
Q.What’s your riding style?
Low Seat and Foot Jam style with a smile on my face.
Q.Any big influences?
Music is my biggest source of inspiration.
Q.What’s your killer move? Explain.
My signature trick is the Spinning Foot Jam where I spin my front wheel.
Q.How’s the flatland environment in your country?
There’s a lot of riders, but I like riding alone.
Q.What was the highlight of your career?
When I took 2nd place in Red Bull Circle of Balance Germany.
Q.What is Red Bull Circle of Balance to you?
A big challenge, and a wonderful time with great people.
ADAM KUN
Q.When did you start riding?
The summer of 1998.
Q.What made you start?
I saw the local riders doing tricks on their bikes, and I felt like I have to do this.
Q.What’s your riding style?
Fast. Original. Killer
Q.Any big influences?
Just being on my bike itself inspires me and I like to create new tricks, new lines or pull some really hard stuff.
Riders: Jesse Puente , Chad DeGroot
Q.What’s your killer move? Explain.
Too many to choose from! If I had to choose though, it would be the Monster Whip, which
is an upsidedown tailwhip.
Q.How’s the flatland environment in your country?
In Hungary there aren’t many open spaces, so it’s hard to find a good spot. Basketball
courts are always an option, but they’re often crowded.
Q.What was the highlight of your career?
I was in the top 3 four times for BMX Masters, and won 1st place in 2010. In 2011, I
invented a new trick called the Monster Whip.
Q.What is Red Bull Circle of Balance to you?
I was a spectator for the Germany contest when I was 16. Ever since then I dreamed of
taking part in this contest as a pro rider. That says it all!
KERRY GATT
Q.When did you start riding?
Since 1985.
Q.What made you start?
I got involved seeing a couple of BMX videos back in the 80’s. Also after watching my
first BMX contest and being blown away by some talented riders in New Zealand got me
motivated to pursue the art of flatland.
Q.What’s your riding style?
The best way to describe my riding would be “simple”.
Q.Any big influences?
Music is what inspires me. A good tune will always get the creative juices flowing. Anybody
who does things their own way is inspiring, too.
Q.What’s your killer move? Explain.
whip-it’s (turbine whiplashes)
Q.How’s the flatland environment in your country?
I live in the bay area of San Francisco, and the weather is always great. It’s not easy to
find a good spot for riding, but I’m happy with the ones I have.
Q.What was the highlight of your career?
Forming life-long relationships with my fellow riders.
Q.What is Red Bull Circle of Balance to you?
It’s a great platform for riders to showcase their talent, and also a good chance to spread
awareness of this truly unique art form.
Stephan Kornely
When did you start riding?
I started riding in 2003
How/ why did you get involved?
For me sport was always an important thing in my life. In my youth I played soccer and after that I skate for a long time. The first time I saw BMX flatland was in TV during the x Games. I was so impressed and cant believe what they are doing there. I got in contact with Frank Lukas and he helped me out with my first flat frame. But I had no idea how I should start but one day I met Waldemar and Iwan Fatkin in Koblenz. Waldemar teached me the basics and it grow up. Over the years we build a great friendship and have fun with BMX
How would you describe your style? What makes it unique?
I have no specific Tricks. I prefer rolling tricks with switches and some jumptricks over the frame or bar. At present I´m learning a lot of pedal whiplash rolling combos. Over the years I learned many tricks but I always need many tries to pull them. I always want to learn something new and don’t learning combos to pull them at the first try
What/ who inspires you? The most influence did I get by my riding friend Waldemar Fatkin. Riding with friends together is the best way to learn new tricks. I always looked up to riders like Martti Kuoppa, Simon o brien or Michael Steingräber. Riding my bike means a lot for me. It´s freedom and an real physical and mental challenge. I really like the fact that there are no rules and you can learn whatever you want. It´s so much fun but at the same time it can be so frustrated if you learn some new tricks and they don´t work. But there is such a good feeling of butterfly´s in your stomach a couple hours later when you pull the trick at the first time. I really like that?It´s not my goal to become a super rider and I have no idea how far I can push my level. Let´s see what happen
What is your signature trick?
That’s a hard question and It´s really difficult to came out with something really new. I don’t have a real signature trick so far but It´s in progress? Maybe some jumptricks without breaks (like a rolling crackpacker jump over the handlebar to hitchhiker without breaks)
How is the environment for flatland in your country?
In Germany is a good flatlandscene and there are some really nice spots in big cities like Cologne or Berlin. In my hometown Koblenz is a nice flatspot in front of the trainstation, maybe you know it from some videoparts where I ride with Waldemar together
What has been the highlight of your career up to now?
The voodoojam in New Orleans was awesome and of course take part of the Circle of Balance!
What does the Red Bull Circle of Balance mean to you?
The Red Bull circle of Balance is still one of the best competitions in the world because so many different riders with different styles and attitudes from all over the world came together. That makes it so interesting. I started riding in 2003 and in 2004 I was a visitor of the circle of balance in Oberhausen and now I´m a part of it, crazy
Have you ever been to Japan before?
I never visited Japan before, beside the COB event I´m so excited to explore Japan and meet new friends
What are your thoughts on being invited?
For me it is a big surprise to be invited, because I replace my good friend and riding partner Waldemar Fatkin as another german rider. Unfortunately Waldemar got inujured and broke his collarbone twice. It’s a big honor for me to ride at the COB instead of his place and I know that there are many other riders who are deserved to be invited to this event. I will do my best!
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.