NIGHT of the JUMPs #01/2015

NOTJ eMagazin 2015

No. 01/2015

N I L BER R M A N Y GE

2 & 1 D ROUN

M A G A Z I N E

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025( 678)) 1,*+7RIWKH-803V FRP

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www.suzuki.de

NIGHT OF THE JUMPS

NEIN, FLIEGEN IST NICHT SCHÖNER!

for Clips:

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Suzuki Motorrad Deutschland

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Suzuki wunscht viel Spass auf der ,, ,,Night of the jumps .

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EDITOR: Marko Manthey ART DIRECTION: Pigmentart design SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS: Oliver Franke, Marko Manthey, Christoph Schulz, Lukas Nazdraczew CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Oliver Capozzolo SUBMISSIONS: info@notj.de ADVERTISING: c.schulz@notj.de / p.mundin@notj.de NIGHT of the JUMPs Magazine is selfpublished regularly in Berlin, Germany.

The publisher will not accept responsibility or any liability for the correctness of information or opinions expressed in this publication. All rights are reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in whole or part, without the prior permission of the publisher. Enjoy this magazine for what it is and respect the photographers that help make it happen.

OTHER SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: www.facebook.com/NIGHToftheJUMPs www.youtube.com/NIGHToftheJUMPs twitter.com/NIGHToftheJUMPs instagram.com/nightofthejumps And www.nightofthejumps.com

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EDITORIAL WHERE TO FAST WORD EVENT BERLIN GER HIGHEST AIR

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BERLIN / GERMANY HAMBURG MUNICH / GERMANY

TICKETS AUF WWW.NIGHTOFTHEJUMPS.COM

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EYE CATCHER

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NIGHT of the JUMPs catches up with one of the crew, the Australian ‘Jack of all Trades’, Steve Sommerfeld After making the plunge to move to Europe to fulfil his Freestyle MX dreams, Steve Sommerfeld has inadvertently become one of the regular crew at NIGHT of the JUMPs, and it’s not all about riding a dirt bike. We catch up with Steve on how this came about, and what else is there left for him to do.

First things first, how did an Aussie end up being in Europe?

Well it’s funny, it was kind of a slow thing, coming over for a few events while managing Clinton Moore and Josh Sheehan, and then somehow it ended up that I was going to come over in 2014 to just judge for 2 months of events in March and April. But my wife Rachael and I were having too much fun and we decided to change our flights and stay for 11 months. We went home for one month to Australia, and now we have returned, I have a visa and we are going to stay for the foreseeable future!

You came over to Europe to Judge, but it appears you have been assigned some more jobs at NOTJ, what are they now?

So I started out with managing some awesome Australian riders, then I ended up judging when one of the judges couldn’t make it. In 2014 I thought I was judging, but then ended up commentating the Online Live Stream. I have been filming YouTube series Road2Nations and from there I have also done some Voice-Overs for the TV Show, I now drive the shuttle bus with the crew from Berlin to any events that are close, in Germany or Poland. I’m writing the English Press Releases, hosting the intro videos and writing for the new E-Magazine.

And you also rode at NIGHT of the JUMPs also?

How was that experience?

Yep! I even had the chance to ride my first events in Sofia, Bulgaria at the Golden Cup, and then the first two legs of the European Championships in Linz and Graz in Austria in 2015. It was unbelievable, I really can’t believe that after watching NIGHT of the JUMPs for so many years back in Australia that I would ever have the opportunity to compete. But it went really well, I rode as well as I possibly could, no mistakes and put a solid run together with some new flip tricks I learnt only the week or two before.

I have ridden in a lot of other shows around Europe now, so I had time to get used to the different 8 metre radius ramps and the tighter courses over here compared to Australia.

Wow, so is there any left you haven’t done at NOTJ? Haha, maybe the only thing left for me to do is help the crew build the course in the days before the event… which I’m more than happy to help with, I love building jumps at home.

Oh and also I think I have to jump into the MyThea costume and jump around during the show. I hear that one of our track crew, Greg, loves the job and won’t give up the costume, but maybe one day I’ll give it a go. Try and do a few hand-stands and cartwheels haha!

You also mentioned that your wife Rachael is travelling with you in Europe, is it easy to do?

Yep definitely, it’s awesome to be able to travel with the ‘missus’, we appreciate the opportunity we have to see the world, and we try to take a day or two extra after events to look around and really take in what each city is about. Often the riders just fly into an event, do the competition and fly home.

I think this is a huge waste, so we really try to look around. We even travelled together last year on a onemonth, 9,000km road trip around Europe, filming for the YouTube series, Road2Nations.

It is also made easier by NOTJ, as Rachael is now also the rider manager of sorts, or the rider mummy, she is now helping Nicole to get the riders into place for practise and the competition and helping on the crew to make the whole show come together.

Well we hope that one day you can jump in the MyThea costume for us, and continue to enjoy your time in Europe!

Thanks so much, it has been one of the coolest experiences and it’s also opened up the world for us. I’m now also riding in more FMX Shows around Europe, so it was definitely the best decision to go out on a limb, and try and make this big move to Europe worthwhile.

See you at the next event… and maybe in the costume, haha!

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AS USUAL THE FIM FREESTYLE MX WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP KICKED OFF IN THE ‘HOMETOWN’ OF NIGHT OF THE JUMPS OVER 2 BIG NIGHTS IN FRONT OF 16,000 CRAZY FANS ON THE BIGGEST FMX TRACK EVER ASSEMBLED AT THE O2 ARENA IN BERLIN. IT WAS AN EVENT TO BE REMEMBERED WITH THE RIDERS PUTTING EVERYTHING ON THE LINE IN AN ATTEMPT TO TASTE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GLORY.

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ROUND #1 The opening of the 2015 FMX World Championship season could not have been more spectacular.

11 of the world’s best freestyle motocross riders competed at the NIGHT of the JUMPS in the o2 World arena in Berlin for the opening round and offered visitors a hard-fought battle with many trick premieres.

The finals would feature four reigning and former World Champions, Maikel Melero (ESP), David Rinaldo (FRA), Libor Podmol (CZE) and Jose Miralles (ESP team champion). Above all, the Spanish World Champion, Melero, who in the first qualifying round debuted his new trick, the Melero Roll (Side-saddle takeoff to California Roll) to claim the top spot after Qualification.

The German hopes would lay with Luc Ackermann, after his brother failed to start suffering from the flu and the hometown Berliner, Kai Haase who couldn’t perform his Body Varial variations after his 6 month break with injury. The 17-yearold Ackermann, produced a solid run including the 360 and Flair. However Luc was looking for something extra with a Surfer take-off to 9 o’clock Backflip in the Double-Up, but he wasn’t 20

able to land it and crashed, therefore putting him out of the race.

The young rookie Filip Podmol, who would replace Hannes Ackermann in the starting list, had another opportunity to again impress the judges. And after being given the chance, Filip made it count when he landed the 360 over the long distance ramp, but it was an error with his Cordova Flip that caused him to miss the final. However, shortly after, the young Czech rider would secure a victory in the LifeProof Best Whip contest.

The final riders to round out the top 6 were Petr Pilat and Jose Miralles, who, with the other riders in the final were now firing on all cylinders. Podmol showed a huge surfer Tsunami Flip over the kicker ramp, Adelberg landed his first California roll in competition while Rinaldo displayed his own version of the Cali Roll and also a clean Double Grab Indy Flip.

But for Rinaldo this wouldn’t be enough to win, going head to head against the reigning World Champion Maikel Melero who also had a Double Grab backflip, his new side-saddle take-off California Roll and the Flair on the quarter pipe which would count as the best run and give Melero the first round win. And thus the old world champion has catapulted himself into the New Year, and back on top of the championship standings.

The German fans still had reason to cheer, as Team Germany won in the first Synchro Contest at Night of the Jumps. It was the German youngster Luc Ackermann and Kai Haase, who was only nominated half an hour before qualifying as a team replacement for older brother Hannes Ackermann, after he failed to ride with the flu. Without any training, Luc and Kai were totally in sync and it was enough for the win.

Kai Haase almost again tasted victory in the Maxxis Highest Air, but missed out on his last attempt at a height of 9.50 meters, and for Massimo it was a close victory despite almost missing the event because his bike would not start.

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ROUND #2 Double victory for Melero despite Rinaldo’s Rock Solid Flip The biggest motorsport show to hit the German capital this year has come to a conclusion, when the FMX pilots of Night of the Jumps battled for valuable championship points… … in the German Grand Prix of the FIM Freestyle MX World Championships at the Berlin o2 World Arena.

The previous day’s battle continued, featuring new tricks from each of the riders in the second round of the World Championships, including Petr Pilat’s Dead Body Flip and the California Rolls from Melero, Adelberg and Rinaldo, but the competition exploded when the little Frenchman would try to seize the finale with his Rock Solid Backflip (a back flip in which the rider lets go of the bike completely, upsidedown).

This trick has currently only been performed by three riders in the world, and is regarded as one of the toughest and most technical tricks and this time was premiered on a Night of the Jumps course.

Despite the insanity of this trick, it would not be enough for Rinaldo to win this round.

The winning run would come from the reigning 2014 World Champion, Melero, with his 540/Flair, Double Grab Flip and the new sidesaddle take-off to California Roll or ‘Melero Roll’, completing this new body varial with a No Hand Landing.

With the full 40 points haul from the first 2 rounds, the reigning World Champion has started the season right where he left off in 2014, on top of the World Championship standings. Maikel Melero is in charge of the overall title fight and he will be hard to beat if his current form continues.

However the 10,000 spectators at the o2 World could also cheer for their local heroes, with the young German rider, Luc Ackermann 22

making it into the Finals. The 17 year old also improved on his finals results by winning one of the most spectacular Best Whip contests in Night of the Jumps history to win the LifeProof trophy and retaliated in his battle with the 18 year old Czech rider, Filip Podmol who defeated him in the earlier 2015 round at Graz.

If that wasn’t enough for the German crowd, Ackermann would then secure another victory with the home-town Berliner, Kai Haase in the Synchro contest. From then on, the crowd erupted and celebrated with the two Germans to loud applause and Mexican-waves. For Kai Haase, he was so close to securing another victory of his own in the Maxxis Highest Air competition, however it was the Italian Champion, Massimo Bianconcini who would snatch victory. Kai Haase almost had the 2nd round title at 9.00 metres, but Bianconcini regained control when he narrowly cleared the height of 9.50 metres to win again. This extends Massimo’s Maxxis Highest Air lead in the annual ranking with a double victory.

In exactly two weeks, the world’s best FMX athletes will converge on Krakow in Poland for the next two World Championship rounds and compete for valuable points for the overall crown.

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KAI HAASE Local hero Kai returned to the track after a long break with injury.

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JAMES CARTER 25

LUC ACKERMANN ... crashed during this Surfer Take Off to Tsunami Flip. Luckily he walked away unhurt.

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The crowd loved three hours of spectacular entertainment.

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FILIP PODMOL 31

WHIP CONTEST BATTLE between Luc Ackermann and Filip Podmol

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Filip, the younger Podmol Brother battled hard with Luc Ackermann in the LifeProof Best Whip Contest with Filip taking the honors on Friday and Luc on Saturday.

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With one victory each, young guns Luc Ackermann and Filip Podmol showed the more experienced riders how to whip it nowadays!

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SYNCRO With the huge track in Berlin, NIGHT of the JUMPs fans had the pleasure to witness the spectacular SYNCHRO CONTEST for the first time.

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KAI Berlin local Kai Haase challenging ...

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MASSIMO BIANCONCINI ... World Record holder Massimo Bianconcini

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Massimo Bianconcini once again displayed his class and composure winning both MAXXIS Highest Air competitions.

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Mountainbike-Show

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LUC 360째 over the Red Bull kicker

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LUC Cordova Flip

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Luc celebrating with the crowd

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JOSÉ MIRALLES Big Whip from ´el Loco´

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PETR PILAT Signature Dead Body Flip

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LIBOR PODMOL 52

Two 4th place finishes for the ´Czech Ninja´

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ROB ADELBERG 54

Rob made both podiums with his new Cali Roll and great extensions like this Cliffhanger Flip

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DAVID RINALDO Rocksolid Flip - Premiere at NOTJ

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David - Two time runner-up in Berlin

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MAIKEL MELERO Cali Roll with side saddle take off

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Back to back victories ...

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... for the reigning FMX World Champion

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WINNER Two times identical podium in Berlin: 3rd place Rob Adelberg, 2nd place David Rinaldo, 1st place Maikel Melero

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RESULTS BERLIN ROUND#1

FIM Freestyle MX World Championship 2015

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OVERALL 1. Maikel Melero 2. David Rinaldo 3. Rob Adelberg 4. Libor Podmol 5. Petr Pilat 6. Jose Miralles 7. Filip Podmol 8. Luc Ackermann 9. James Carter 10. Kai Haase 11. Brice Izzo

ESP FRA AUS CZE CZE ESP CZE GER USA GER FRA

20 Points 18 Points 16 Points 14 Points 12 Points 10 Points 9 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points 5 Points

HIGHEST AIR 1. M. Bianconcini 2. Kai Haase 3. Jose Miralles

ITA GER ESP

9,5 m 9,0 m 8,5 m

WHIP CONTEST 1. Filip Podmol 2. James Carter 3. Rob Adelberg 4. Kai Haase

CZE USA AUS GER

RESULTS BERLIN ROUND#2

FIM Freestyle MX World Championship 2015 OVERALL 1. Maikel Melero 2. David Rinaldo 3. Rob Adelberg 4. Libor Podmol 5. Petr Pilat 6. Luc Ackermann 7. Filip Podmol 8. Jose Miralles 9. Brice Izzo 10. Kai Haase

ESP FRA AUS CZE CZE GER CZE ESP FRA GER

20 Points 18 Points 16 Points 14 Points 12 Points 10 Points 9 Points 8 Points 7 Points 6 Points

HIGHEST AIR 1. M. Bianconcini 2. Kai Haase 3. Jose Miralles

ITA GER ESP

9,5 m 9,0 m 0,0 m

WHIP CONTEST 1. Luc Ackermann 2. Filip Podmol 3. Kai Haase 3. M. Bianconcini 4. Jose Miralles

GER CZE GER ITA ESP

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FIM FREESTYLE MX WORLD CH (OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER 2 ROUNDS)

The riders who compete in all World Championsh result at the end of the year. All other results ar FIM World Championship ranking 2015.

PLACE

NAME

NAT.

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

BERLIN

BERLIN

TOTAL ALL RESULTS

1

MAIKEL MELERO

ESP

20

20

40

2

DAVID RINALDO

FRA

18

18

36

3

ROB ADELBERG

AUS

16

16

32

4

LIBOR PODMOL

CZE

14

14

28

5

PETR PILAT

CZE

12

12

24

6

LUC ACKERMANN

GER

8

10

18

7

JOSE MIRALLES

ESP

10

8

18

8

FILIP PODMOL

CZE

9

9

18

9

BRICE IZZO

FRA

5

7

12

10

KAI HASSE

GER

6

6

12

11

JAMES CARTER

USA

7

0

7

MAXXIS HIGHEST AIR CHAMPI (OVERALL STANDINGS AFTER 2 ROUNDS)

PLACE

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NAME

NAT.

ROUND 1

ROUND 2

BERLIN

BERLIN

TOTAL

1

MASSIMO BIANCONCINI

ITA

5.0

5.0

10

2

KAI HASSE

GER

3.0

3.0

6

3

JOSE MIRALLES

ESP

1.0

1.0

2

HAMPIONSHIP 2015

hip rounds in 2015 drop their lowest re taken into account for the overall

IONSHIP 2015

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