FISE Edmonton - FMB Gold Event
Brett Rheeder launching off the step-down
Words and layout by Ryan Kelly
Photos by Ryan Kelly and Dylan Maclean
With the highs (and lows) of Red Bull Joyride at Crankworx still fresh in the minds of the riders, it was time to hit the reset button and head to the next stop on the FMB calendar -- FISE Edmonton 2016. With less than 200 points between 1st and 3rd in the FMB World Tour rankings, riders like Nicholi Rogatkin and Brett Rheeder were pulling out all the stops on this short but rad course.
Set in the river valley of one of Canada's most northern cities, it may seem a bit unlikely for Edmonton, Alberta to host a FISE World Tour stop and an FMB Gold event, but the city, usually known for hockey and...hockey, opened its arms and brought the crowds all weekend.
The Edmonton river valley.
One lofty step-down and three ramp-to-dirt jumps were on the menu, which left no room for taking it easy. To win this round, you needed four full-on bangers in a row with zero mistakes.
Who wants to go first?
Mehdi Gani is always happy to drop in.
Rheeder getting comfortable with the course.
After the qualifying round on Friday, riders took advantage of the great weather and kept the session going until they were ushered off the course later that night.
With Saturday came the semi-finals. Riders were up bright and early to get the tarps off and start shredding.
Red Bull was there with their typical subtle presence.
Even these guys couldn't help but climb up and take a look from the top. We tried to get them to take their Segway off the drop, but no dice.
Riders ready.
And who was doing the announcing for the live crowd? MacDuff was there getting everyone pumped.
Not every run went as planned.
It was Brett Rheeder with a double truck driver off of the step-down, cork 720, opposite cork 720 to double backflip who took the top spot in the semi-finals.
After a full day of riding, Drew Bezanson somehow still had energy to also compete in the freestyle BMX comp that happened just across the field. What an animal.
Unfortunately, high winds put a stop to the finals on Sunday, so it was the results from the semis that would carry through.
Congrats to Brett Rheeder on his first FISE World Tour win and his second FMB Gold event win.
You can check out the rebroadcast here.
MENTIONS: @FMBA / @fise / @Audican
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Apparently they had forecasted 40-50k spectators per day to the event?? I don't even think that was remotely possible to be honest. I really do hope they come back in years to come though.
Really ? One of Canada's most Northern Cities? Do they not have maps where you live?
Agree badly promoted, had stuff that MUST GET DONE, so couldn't make it, but I will be there watching next year!
But enough geography
All I know is I wish I had been there, and will make every effort to attend next years event in Edmonton!