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WHISTLER, Canada – July 1, 2006 – It may have been Canada Day, but it was the Aussies who ruled this year’s Red Bull Elevation in Whistler, BC. Corey Bohan of Brisbane, Australia took home the title, with fellow countryman Luke Parslow and defending champion Ryan Nyquist of the U.S. anchoring the podium, finishing second and third respectively.
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Widely regarded as the world’s best BMX dirt-jumping competition, this year’s edition featured 40 of the top riders soaring over massive discipline-defining jumps. When the dust settled after Friday’s qualifying round, 20 riders had an opportunity to take home the title.
Ultimately it was Bohan, the first BMX dirt rider to win back-to-back X Games gold medals, who produced a killer combination of sublime technicality and huge tricks in his trademark style. The number one qualifier after Friday, Bohan delivered on his ranking’s promise in the event’s final run, hitting a downside whizzy over the hip, no-handed opposite 360, and an epic last jump featuring a one-handed table-top 360.
“To be on the podium with Nyquist and Parslow is amazing, I’ll ride with those guys all day, every day,” said Bohan. “I was a bit nervous on the way things were going, but pulled it together and I’m already looking forward to next year.”
Looking to repeat his stellar performance in 2005, Nyquist started with a solid run but fell on his second. His throw-away run spent, Nyquist finished strong, throwing down a solid 720 on his third run, and laying it all on the line on his fourth, delivering a combination of 360’s and a backflip one-handed X-up.
“People were laying it on the line and doing wild stuff, so I’m happy with any kind of podium finish. Compared to last year, the level of riding was way higher,” said Nyquist. “The setting was beautiful. It’s Canada Day and there were so many people out to watch. You really can’t have a better place to have a contest.”
Parslow delivered arguably the most impressive jumps of the day, including a combination featuring a back flip on the step down bar into a huge front flip. Dane Searls, also of Australia, emerged as one of the weekend’s stars by winning best trick, a double tail-whip over the big set of double jumps.
Added Searls: “I didn’t expect to win so I’m psyched. I knew what I wanted to do, I’m just glad I pulled it off. Best competition I’ve ridden so far. The biggest jumps, the best riders, everyone’s just so pumped to be here.”
Building on the success of last year’s Red Bull Elevation, BMX icon Jay Miron applied his decades of experience to create an even more challenging and immense course, answering the call of the world’s best riders to go bigger and continue being progressive. Jumps were larger across the board, with the most substantial an enormous 40-footer, and the third largest jump bigger than any in 2005. In between, the course included every element of trail riding, from transfers to rhythm sections to showtime booters.
Ripping the course was the strongest field ever compiled for a dirt-jumping contest, an invitation-only list that also included last year’s best trick winner James Foster of America, World Dirt Jumping Champion Kye Forte of Great Britain, and perhaps the world’s best freestyle mountain biker, Darren Berrecloth of Parksville, BC.
The riders competed for a $30,000 prize purse, with Bohan taking home $10,000. All three podium finishers were awarded a custom trophy featuring an iron, dirt-loading Tonka Truck. A panel of veteran judges, including Ryan “Biz” Jordan, Matt Beringer, and Dave Osato evaluated riders on height, style, smoothness and tricks.
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Cheering on the riders were 10,000 BMX and Canada-loving fans, with red-and-white flags dotting the Red Bull Elevation course and crowd.
The competition began with practice on Thursday, June 29, qualifying on Friday (reducing the field from 40 to 20 riders) and concluded with the finals on Saturday, July 1. For more information, pictures and video please visit our website at www.redbullelevation.com
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