Press Release

The 2012 FMB World Tour season is here – let the game begin!

The 2012 FMB World Tour season is here – let the game begin!




For the first time this season, some of the biggest names in freeride mountain biking met in Vienna and granted us a first glimpse at who will dominate the FMB World Tour this year. Over the past years, each FMB World Tour has been raising the bar ever higher and this year is sure to be no different: 2 Diamond events, 8 Gold events, 7 Silver events and a growing number of Bronze events will make for an exceptional World Tour.

The Vienna Air King definitively lived up to its status as the season-start event. Despite the wintry conditions in Austria, the FMB World Tour kicked off with a great atmosphere, over 100.000 spectators and spectacular tricks in incredible scenery. After an amazing final on Sunday British rider Sam Pilgrim can once again call himself the Vienna Air King, just like in the last two years. Already his first run, that was not to be topped by any of the 30 finalists, brought him the highest score of the day and the first place in the overall ranking. But will he remain THE ONE?

Cards were being reshuffled at the second event of the FMB World Tour season, the Rivella Rocket Air. Martin Söderström was able to edge out Sam Pilgrim to take the win with impressive tricks like 360 double whip and barspin to tailwhip. Due to Martin’s crash at the Vienna Air King, Sam can hold his top position in the FMB World Tour overall ranking. Third after Söderström and Pilgrim got the young Antoine Bizet, who busted out huge inverted 360s and a massive frontflip, which means fourth place in the current ranking list.
 
To sweeten the wait until the next event, the College Cyclery Rain or Shine Jam on April 21st, check out the brand-new FMB World Tour trailer. The clip tells the tale of the world's best freeride athletes challenging each other in one breathtaking series to settle who will take home the title of FMB World Tour champion. Have a look here.

Developments

With the establishment of two AM Rankings – Europe and North America – now rookies get the chance to take part in the FMB World Tour as well. The tour is a great chance for young and upcoming riders to get a taste of the contest circuit and the outlook on Gold events might encourage one or the other additionally. To guarantee a broad event spectrum on this level the event requirements for Bronze events have been somewhat lowered. Meanwhile 17 bronze events are part of the FMB World Tour. However, the list of Bronze events is far from closed for this season. Interested organizers are welcome to apply to be part of the World Tour up until two months before the event.

Leading the European AM ranking is Patrick Leitner (AUT), followed by Urs Reinosch (GER)  and Pavel Alekhin (RUS).

News-news-news

Live stream Red Bull Berg Line
The first German event in the FMB World Tour circuit will be broadcasted online, thanks to theRed Bull Media House. A live video stream from the Gold event will allow anyone who can't make it to Winterberg to follow the action from home. Stay tuned on the Red Bull Berg Line.

Start of the FMB World Tour in the USA
We are especially looking forward to theCollege Cyclery Rain or Shine Jam – the first Bronze event in the US and also the FMB World Tour kick-off event in North America. Now the battle for points has officially started worldwide and in all rankings.
If you want to be part of this year’s FMB World Tour AM rankings you can sign up at the College Cyclery Rain or Shine Jam on site or on the FMB World Tour website.

Facts & Figures


College Cyclery Rain or Shine Jam - April 20th and 21st at the Volkswagen Sea Otter Classic in Monterey (USA); Exciting changes are in store for 2012, including an upgraded course design and for the first time the event will be "Bronze Level" stop on the FMB World Tour.

King of Dirt - April 28th till May 1st in Riva (IT);Following the success of the inaugural events since 2008, we are proud to present the 2012 King of Dirt event sponsored by Saalbach Hinterglemm at the SYMPATEX BIKE Festival Garda Trentino.

UDUG - April 29th in Bend (USA); Jamie Goldman's 3rd annual Upside Down and Underground Invitational




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