inside as well to warm up. If this sounds like being a pussy, try standing still in -10 for five hours and you understand what I mean. While up there the 4 riders walked by and they got us in the backstage area where we had a chat and took some pics. Their slot time was 19:10hr. 
With pride they showed their bikes and especially their tires. Loads of screws in there to keep that bike from sliding all over the place. It looked pretty dangerous and then Joost and Maartijn showed their ass, they had already cut their leathers when they leaned back a little too much and the rear tire bit them in the ass. 
In the meantime the evening program had started. Zontomaatje and the streetmasters inline dude were the MC’s for the night. I didn’t pay attention much. The Crashed Ice event was the 2nd stop in the World Championships series. Though I appreciate what they’re doing and admire their skills, it’s hard to get into it if you’re just an outsider looking in. Not having any favourites sure doesn’t help, only crashes or T-bones can make it a bit more exciting. But as soon as the bikes lined up to fill up a break, it was all different. The 4 riders had done about 5 runs each and said it was a good time. The tires really stick to the ice and even so much that doing moto-whips is different because on take off, the tire just cuts in the ice making i
t real sticky. They were all ready to put on a show for the crowd. That’s what they were there for. As Vin Diesel said the “ 5 seconds warning” phrase, concentration was up for the start. It was Martijn Jaspers who took the holeshot. It was a rather steep way down before the first jump which was kind of a double that they did not jump at once. The side by side doubles that followed were taken on the outside by Martijn and Rick and on the inside by Nico and Joost.
The skaters took them the easy way, the riders did not. Everyone stayed on and we switched our view to the big screens that were set up all around the event. Not sure if the expected 50.000 people showed up, but it was crowded and the big jumbotrons helped to follow the race to the finish. 
At the last big jump Joost and Nico threw in a moto whip. Joost had passed Martijn by this time and Nico got into second. Martijn settled for third and Rick got 4th. 
A bike competition on ice could be a pretty cool thing to do at these events. We’ll see if that ever works out next year. After the bikes were done we walked down the hill and headed for the car. We got out of there before the crazy nightlife started and drove home with the heater on MAX. Good night out. Thanks Redbull. BdJ
Clip by Rolf Thijssen:
Red Bull Crashed Ice Official 4X Promo by BKN Dirt Productions.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.