André Villa strikes back
Published: 07th April 2008
Author: Oliver Franke / IFMXF.com
André Villa strikes back and wins 2nd round of the Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs in Berlin
Berlin, 06th April 2008: On sunday the fight for points of the IFMXF world ranking went on at the Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs in Berlin. 5.000 people came to watch the Freestyle battle in the Max-Schmeling arena.
14 of the worlds best FMX athletes had to give their best already in the qualifying to make it into the final. This nabbed Remi Bizouard. The winner of the Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs Saturday crashed at the landing of his Cliffhanger flip, so he was out. Most surprising rider in the qualifying was Italian Massimo Bianconcini. He was 9th on Saturday, but on Sunday he reached 2nd position with Super- and NoHand-Flips. Winner of the qualification was Suzuki Teamrider André Villa, who did an unbelievable 1-Hand Underflip. Next to them both US-Boys Jack Rowe and Greg Hartman, Fredrik Johansson (SWE) and Libor Podmol (CZE) made it into the final.
After the qualifying the crowd saw the ADAC Fahrsicherheitszentrum Berlin/Brandenburg Whip- and the Snow Funpark Wittenburg Highest Air-Contest. Best "Whipper" was German Lukas Weis, who also won the Snow Funpark Wittenburg step up with 7,0 meters. And with the MVS Zeppelin caterpillar Freestyle Show the people was warmed up for the final.
Two times Vice World Champion Libor Podmol opened the final. With his Cordova-, Heelclicker- and NoHand-Flips he came back after his injury. But this was only enough for 6th place. X Games winner Greg Hartman at his third IFMXF contest couldn’t again reach the podium. And this by doing Superman Indy and Switchblade flips, so you can see what kind of quality the European Freestylers have.
Fredrik Johansson, Massimo Bianconcini and Jack Rowe did their signiture tricks in the final runs. But on this day no one could reach the leader of the FIM Freestyle MX World Championships André Villa from Norway. He did his new Switchblade flip, a massive Underflip in the Double-up plus his brandnew Suicide flip. The jury gave him 302 points which meant a lead of 33 points to second Jack Rowe. Third got Massimo Bianconcini.
In two weeks the IFMXF travel to Graz for the next rounds of the FIM Freestyle MX World Championships (18th/19th April). Next IFMXF contest on German ground will be the Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs in Krefeld on the 26th April.
www.ifmxf.com
FACTS Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs
Berlin, 06. April 2008
Results Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs – Final
1. André Villa NOR RFME Suzuki 302 Points
2. Jack Rowe USA DMSB Suzuki 269 Points
3. Massimo Bianconcini ITA DMSB Hondo 266 Points
4. Fredrik Johansson SWE SVEMO Suzuki 266 Points
5. Greg Hartmann USA DMSB Yamaha 259 Points
6. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Suzuki 251 Points
Results Qualifikation
1. André Villa NOR RFME Suzuki 257 Points
2. Massimo Bianconcini ITA DMSB Hondo 244 Points
3. Greg Hartmann USA DMSB Yamaha 237 Points
4. Fredrik Johansson SWE SVEMO Suzuki 234 Points
5. Jack Rowe USA DMSB Suzuki 233 Points
6. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Suzuki 231 Points
7. Romain Izzo FRA FFM Kawaski 229 Points
8. Fabian Bauersachs GER DMSB KTM 225 Points
9. Remi Bizouard FRA FFM Yamaha 220 Points
10. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki 216 Points
11. Oystein Kjorstad NOR NMF KTM 209 Points
12. Freddy Peters GER DMSB Suzuki 199 Points
13. Bartosz Oglaza POL PZM Suzuki 161 Points
14. Hannes Ackermann GER DMSB KTM 147 Points
Results Whip Contest
1. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki
2. Massimo Bianconcini ITA DMSB Honda
3. André Villa NOR RFME Suzuki
3. Bartosz Oglaza POL PZM Suzuki
Results Highest Air Contest
1. Lukas Weis GER 7,00 Meter
2. Libor Podmol CZE 5,50 Meter
3. Bartosz Oglaza POL 5,50 Meter