The judging team for the event will include beloved rider Mike Aitken, who suffered a severe injury while riding in 2008 that left him in a coma. After a miraculous recovery, Aitken will be joining his friends on the dirt course, this time helping decide who is going to walk away with the big check. Helping announce the contest will be BMX Vert legend and X Games gold medalist Jamie Bestwick.
What was previously an abandoned factory lot will be morphed into a one-of-a-kind BMX field of dreams. On Friday June 11th a qualifier round will be free and open to the public, as 25 riders vie for 5 open spots in Saturday’s Final. Tickets are already on sale at RedBullStompingGround.com for the Finals on Saturday June 12th. To help promote Stomping Ground, Red Bull has partnered with NBCChicago.com and Dan’s Comp to create a scavenger hunt for bike keys hidden throughout the city -- participants who find the keys will have a chance to win a BMX bike at the event. In addition, NBC 5 will broadcast the full Stomping Ground performance on date to be announced shortly.
MOUNTAINS AND MOLE HILLS Although the course will be for only the most skilled athletes, that doesn’t mean the aspiring riders of the future won’t get their shot. The Dan’s Comp Rally Track will be open to the public all week leading into the event. A park for all abilities where pump track flow meets the rhythms of dirt jumps, locals will get their chance to meet the course builders and riders, get lessons on how to make their own jumps, and of course take a few laps around the track.
On June 11th and 12th, the pros will take over the course. Competitions will take place from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Elston and Augusta. Parking is limited – it is recommended to walk, bike, or take the CTA. For CTA information, visit transitchicago.org or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA.
Visit www.redbullstompingground.com for more details and updates on the course design, rider list and to get the latest twitter gossip on the event. Add your own 2 cents by using #RBSTOMP
FINAL TOP 20 INVITED ATHLETES – PRE QUALIFIED - SATURDAY JUNE 12
1. Corey Bohan
2. Anthony Napolitan
3. Ryan Nyquist
4. TJ Ellis
5. Brandon Dosch
6. Rob Darden
7. Cam White
8. Luke Parslow
9. Dave Dillewaard
10. Ryan Guettler
11. Dennis Enarson
12. Mike "Hucker" Clark
13. Cory Nastazio
14. Kye Forte
15. Gary Young
16. Chris Doyle
17. Adam Baker
18. James Foster
19. Heath Pinter
20. Alejandro Caro
INVITED ATHLETES FOR QUALIFIER - FRIDAY JUNE 11 – 5 MOVE ON TO SATURDAY
1. Pat “Big Daddy” Laughlin
2. Brian Hunt
3. Chris Gerber
4. Zak Early
5. Scotty Cranmer
6. Colin Mackay
7. Josh Hult
8. KC Badger
9. Janusz Pietruczuk
10. Allan Cooke
11. TJ Lavin
12. Dane Searls
13. Josh Stead
14. Colton Satterfield
15. Ben Voyles
16. Alex Dropsy
17. Jaie Toohie
18. Ricky Mosley
19. Leo Forte
20. Allan Cooke
21. Drew Bezanson
22. Alistair Whitton
23. Panagiotis Manaras
24. Mark Mulville
25. Nate Berkheimer
26. Lance Mosley
27. Adam Aloise
28. Paul Kintner
29. Kym Grosser