NIGHT of the JUMPs Graz 2015

 

Podmol's young brother against the rest of the world

Next weekend, the freestyle motocross athletes of the NIGHT of the JUMPs will hammer the hardest tricks into the "dirt" of the Graz Stadthalle. After the kick-off in Linz, the next two competitions of the FMX European Championship 2015 are now on the agenda.

In Graz, freestyle motocross athletes from three continents will compete for the first time. US boy James Carter represents the American continent. Steve Sommerfeld will be competing for the great FMX nation of Australia. And Europe will be represented by no less than reigning world champion Maikel Melero (ESP), former world champion Remi Bizouard (FRA) and runners-up Brice Izzo (FRA) and Jose Miralles (ESP).

There will also be a rider premiere in the Stadthalle. Filip Podmol, the younger brother of 2010 World Champion Libor Podmol will be competing in the NIGHT of the JUMPs for the first time. At the Open Qualifier in Linz last weekend he already showed what tricks he can do. Only because of a mistake in his run, he didn't make it into the main field at the European Championship opener. Now he is seeded in Graz and can prove that he might soon follow in his big brother's footsteps.

Luc Ackermann has long since stepped out of them. The 17-year-old "little" brother of 2012 World Championship fifth Hannes Ackermann has long since advanced to a podium candidate with 360s and surfer tsunami flips. It was almost enough for that in Linz. As fourth in the European Championships he will now compete in Graz. He should once again fly through the hall in Hardstyle to reach his first NIGHT of the JUMPs podium.

Of course, the NIGHT of the JUMPs champion from Linz will also be competing in Styria. Petr Pilat celebrated only briefly and went straight back to Prague to train for the European Championships in Graz. It will be interesting to see if he unpacks his new deadbody flip there as well.

In addition to the freestyle competition, the side contests will once again be spectacular. In the Maxxis Highest Air, X Games medal winners will try to reach the best mark of 11.50 meters. In the Lifeproof Best Whip, riders will present trains and engage in exciting duels for the best "whip" of the evening.

In 2015, the NIGHT of the JUMPs celebrates its 15th season. The spectators in Graz are looking forward to thrilling freestyle motocross sport for the seventh time. And the capital of Styria has always proved to be a particularly good place for extreme sports. Thus, the Swede Johansson jumped the first 1-Handed 360 in the history of FMX sport in Graz. No motor and extreme sports fan should miss this!

NIGHT of the JUMPs
Freestyle MX European Championship (Round 3 + 4)
24/25 January 2015
Stadthalle Graz / Austria

Driver field:
Maikel Melero (ESP)
Remi Bizouard (FRA)
Petr Pilat (CZE)
Luc Ackermann (GER)
James Carter (USA)
Jose Miralles (ESP)
Brice Izzo (FRA)
Steve Sommerfeld (AUS)
Filip Podmol (CZE)
Massimo Bianconcini (ITA)
Leonardo Fini (ITA)

Video links highlights NIGHT of the JUMPs Linz 2015: