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05/20/2008
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Brian Foster 'busts it out' |
Red Bull Elevation
An amazing BMX comp you may have missed
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Words by Cheryl Beattie and Taylor Hollstedt of the Bicycle
Café
Photos by Taylor Hollstedt
Standing at the top of the course with the rest of the riders, I got a great
visual of the mountain range they were calling 'jumps.' Many of the guys were
anxious and wondering when they could start dealing with these monsters. Finally,
Brian Foster let out his battle cry, "when in doubt...bust it out!" and dropped
in. This set the stage for the whole contest and no one stopped busting it out
for the next two days.
Corey Bohan shows off one of the tricks that won him the top
podium spot.
The course was even burlier than last year, with gigantic doubles no one's
mother would approve of. Most spectators crowded around the final jump which
was by far one of the largest anyone had ever seen in a contest, but they were
missing out on the disturbing transfer lines in the upper section - an insane
addition from last year. Spectators and organizers alike were wondering how
the contest was going to pan out with such a diverse field of riders from two-time
X-Games gold medalist, Corey Bohan to the Northwest trails star, Paul Kintner
. There has never been a course like this and everyone wondered how it was going
to be judged. Some people felt the tricks weren't as nuts as last year but that
the overall riding and creativity on course surpassed it. The contest focused
less on the "show time" booter and more on how the riders handled the complete
course, stepping up the overall technical level of jumping.
T.J. Lavin pulled one of the most surprising lines of the weekend with a transfer
from the berm across to the step down - to measure a total distance of about
30 feet. Darren Barrecloth came out to prove to his BMX family that he hadn't
sold his soul to the 26" wheel and could still throw down with the world's best
on a 20". Darren placed an impressive 9th place against the world's top dirt
jumpers. This result was a surprise since even one of Darren's closest acquaintances
bet against him to even qualify. The Claw made everyone proud - and tossed his
hat into the ring when he had nothing to prove.
While one rider muscles up the hill, a couple of the other riders hitched a ride for their next run.
The qualifiers took place on Friday and the top twenty riders advanced to the
finals on Canada Day. Crowds poured in all day long to cheer on the riders and
the athletes responded with some of the biggest air and best tricks.
Nyquist, last years defending champion and the trick monkey he is, threw down
many 360 combinations. Chris Doyle, being the ever-consistent trail god, showed
us technical perfection with every run and he nailed all the big transfers.
Corey Bohan and Luke Parslow from Australia showed us their mean Aussie combination
of huge tricks and dialed style. This was anyone's contest to win and we all
waited on the edge of our seats to see what the judges would decide.
When the dust settled everyone was surprised; Doyle missed the podium when
some expected him to take the win. Last year's champion, Ryan Nyquist finished
on the bottom of the podium this year, dethroned by two Aussies; Parslow in
second and Bohan in first. Corey Bohan reigning supreme made everyone wonder
if we would see a threepeat at the X-Games this year.
1st: Corey Bohan, 2nd: Luke Parslow, 3rd: Ryan Nyquist
This contest was once again one of the biggest and most impressive events
to hit Whistler this year, attracting the toughest field of competitors. Elevation
was as large and well organized as the X-Games, and without Canadian rider Jay
Miron we wouldn't get to see this level of talent and experience in our country.
Jay Miron is also responsible for Ten Pack Distribution, MacNeil Bicycles, and
the Vancouver & Toronto Metro Jams. He has his finger on the pulse of Canadian
BMX and everyone in the industry should give another big shout out to the guy
who makes great things happen north of the border. Elevation was an amazing
event and we hope Jay and Redbull come together again in 2007 to treat us to
another spectacle and expose us all to more amazing riding in our own back yard.
Head to redbullelevation.com
to see video and photos from the event.
Final Results
1st- Corey Bohan
2nd- Luke Parslow
3rd- Ryan Nyquist
4th- Chris Doyle
5th-Cameron White
6th- Anthony Napolitan
7th- Alejandro Caro Ospina
8th- TJ Lavin
9th- Darren Barrecloth
10th- Romuald 'Bibi" Noirot
11th- James Foster
12th- Dave Dilleward
13th- Brian Foster
14th- Kye Forte
15th- Kym Grosser
16th- Paul Kintner
17th- TJ Ellis
18th- Dane Searls
19th- Gary Young
20th- Adam Baker
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