The return of Hannes Ackermann to the place of his greatest success
On January 16/17, the freestyle motocross riders of the NIGHT of the JUMPs will fly on their motocross machines just under the roof of the Tips Arena. At the two opening competitions of the Freestyle MX European Championship, the athletes collect the first points for the FMX European Championship 2015.
After two years, Germany's Hannes Ackermann is back in Linz. In 2013, the Thuringian celebrated his greatest success in the Tips Arena with second place. His first podium in the world's most extreme freestyle motocross sports series. The 24-year-old was only narrowly beaten by his friend David Rinaldo at the time. Last year Hannes was unable to compete due to injury. Now he is returning and wants to build on his success in Linz two years ago. With new tricks like the Rowedova Flip or the Porti Air Flip he invented himself, he is definitely a candidate for the podium. To do so, however, he will also have to keep his younger brother Luc in check, who narrowly missed out on his first podium at the series at the NIGHT of the JUMPs in Frankfurt at the end of last year, sensationally finishing in 4th place.
In 2015, freestyle motocross athletes from three continents will compete in Linz. With Maikel Melero, the reigning FMX World Champion from Spain will be at the start. Three-time world champion and reigning European champion Remi Bizouard will also be competing. These two have already delivered a thrilling duel with tricks such as the Body Varial, 540, Ruler Flip or Doublegrab Flip at the World Championship finals in Frankfurt 2014. It will be interesting to see what they unpack at the start of the European Championships.
Brice Izzo from France, the runner-up in the 2013 European Championships, has also been confirmed. Izzo is joined by Jose "El Loco" Miralles, a vice world champion. Petr Pilat, who jumped the first tandem backflip in the history of the NIGHT of the JUMPs series in Linz, is also back.
The USA will be represented by James Carter. The winner of the X-Pilots in Mexico also wants to prove at the NIGHT of the JUMPs that he belongs to one of the world's best FMX athletes.
These eight of the world's best freestylers are guaranteed a starting spot. The remaining starting places for the NIGHT of the JUMPs in Linz will be determined in an Open Qualifier, which will take place on January 15.
Filip Podmol, the younger brother of 2010 world champion Libor Podmol, has announced his arrival. Let's see what he is already capable of. In addition, the two Frenchmen Fred Wasner and Nicolas Texier, Steve Sommerfeld from Australia, Leonardo Fini and Davide Rossi from Italy and tandem trick expert Marc Piniol (ESP) are fighting for the starting tickets.
In addition to the Freeestyle competition, the Sidecontest will 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. For the fifth time, spectators in Linz can look forward to thrilling freestyle motocross sport. For the anniversary year, the makers of the series, which is endowed with over one million euros in prize money, will put everything that has gone before in the shade. No motorsport and extreme sports fan should miss this!
NIGHT of the JUMPs
Freestyle MX European Championship (Round 1 + 2)
16/17 January 2015
Tips Arena Linz / Austria
Driver field (seeded):
Maikel Melero (ESP)
Remi Bizouard (FRA)
James Carter (USA)
Luc Ackermann (GER)
Hannes Ackermann (GER)
Jose Miralles (ESP)
Petr Pilat (CZE)
Brice Izzo (FRA)
Driver Open Qualifier:
Leonardo Fini (ITA)
Davide Rossi (ITA)
Steve Sommerfeld (AUS)
Filip Podmol (CZE)
Marc Piniol (ESP)
Fred Wasner (FRA)
Nicolas Texier (FRA)
Video link Linz 2013: http://youtu.be/HVT9I_Vc8nQ
More info and pictures at www.NIGHToftheJUMPs.com
Latest videos at www.youtube.com/nightofthejumps
English 
Deutsch 
Français 
Español 
Italiano