FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

Checking in with Martti Kuoppa on the 2007 Red Bull Circle Of Balance to be held on 27 February in Tokyo.

Q: Have you entered a Red Bull Circle of Balance competition before?
Martti: Yes, both 2 before.

Q: Do you think it's right that the event is taking place in Japan this time?
Martti: Yes I think it is a right location to do it. Just because it will add some extra value for the outlook of the event for people in the west and of course in Asia as well because there are many pro riders from different sides of the world. 

The Red Bull Circle of Balance is going to take place in Tokyo, Japan on 24 February. We asked a few of the invited riders of this unique flatland event to answer a few questions for FATBMX. Matt Wilhelm was on the case and you can find his answers and bike check right here.

Have you entered a Red Bull Circle of Balance competition before?
Matt: Yes, I have been a part of the two other Red Bull comps and they were amazing and helped push flatland and my own riding to new levels.

Do you think it's right that the event is taking place in Japan this time?
Matt: I have been to Japan several times, and it seems like there is a lot of interest in flatland over there. It makes sense for the best flatland comp to be in the place with the best flatland scene. 

The second Münster jam went down the last weekend of January. It was the next real big event after the Simpel Session. A lot of people had been really exicted about the upcoming event. And you could feel a real good vibe during the jam. Jochen and Roland really took it serious to organize a rider friendly jam. A bottle of Isotonic Water and a Banana were handed out to every rider, and after the hard Battles on the track a big pasta dinner went down. Props for the food, boys. 

Mike Ardelean is now working and riding for Giant BMX in addition to Mosh. He'll be working hard on both programs, but the brands will stay very separate from each other. 

"I'm pretty psyched on the deal and can't wait to get started. Of course this means I'll no longer be with United, a decision which Ian Morris is supporting me on." stated Mike.

The name of this jam alone should already tell you that the intention of getting together is just to have a good time. It's being held at Skate City in Las Vegas so that's an other reason to make the trek. 24hr/day action and sunshine this time of the year. Add 13 concrete skateparks in the city to that and you can't go wrong. The contest has a beginner class, expert class and 100% payback pro class. The comp starts early on Saturday 3 March with beginner practice at 8am. Pro contest starts at 5pm.
Location: Skate City, 4915 Steptoe # 600,  Las Vegas, NV 89122.

Round 3 of the 2007 ABA Pro race events took place this past weekend in Guthrie, Oklahoma at the Lazy E Arena. While the arena is better known for some big time Pro Rodeos, it seemed like instead of a Pro BMX race, there was a Rodeo going on this weekend as a slew of riders took big time tumbles and crashes. The ABA build a great track for the riders and there was some great race action all weekend long. 

-DK Bicycles is proud to announce Brian Hunt as the newest addition to our pro team. We are excited to have Brian as a part of the team. He hails from Derry, New Hampshire and can ride anything.

-Garrett Reynolds is on Premium Products while Joe Riley and Matt Colisch are off.

-Rooftop has left the Redline camp. On for 2007 are Dustin Guenther , Tyrone Williams, Kevin Kiraly , and maybe one more rider to come?

FELT riders Michael Sommer and Scotty Cranmer have got a video up on the feltbmx.com website. Michael's video is long and super funny, especially if you know how to speak German. They put some effort into that one. Clip number two is the Scotty Cranmer show. You know that guy has some tricks up his sleeve and the clip had me shake my head a few times in disbelief. Just when you think that the flairs can't be taken any further it's Cranmer pushing it one step further. Curious?

BMX in Peru. Yes, yes, y'all! If someone is going to make it there it's Nathan Penonzek who is actually on a trip down south from Vancouver, Canada and has already reached as far as Cuba.

2 more weeks to go before the Black Jam in Peru. Hit that flyer for more info and visit Nathan's website for blog updates on his trip. If you think you travel much, check out Nathan's schedule. Pure nomad.

Here's more info from the organizer:

August is going to be a busy month for BMX freestyle. First it's the X-Games in Los Angeles. Say all you want but it still is an important event for BMX because it gets TV time, simple as that. The weekend after the X-Games we will meet at the Rebel Jam in Berlin, Germany. We know it's on your agenda, you better make sure you get there for a good time.