Now in its fourth year, Tyler Berreman’s Red Bull Imagination competition is taken to a new level.
Previously, 10 invited riders gathered in Fort Scott, Kansas, to compete at the custom-built dirt bike playground Manoa Mano to see who could throw the biggest tricks and land the biggest jumps. . This year, the riders were divided into two teams of five chosen by Robbie Maddison and Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg. All five members participate in the competition that best suits their skill set and conclude the competition with a line formed by the entire team.
This event has evolved with the riders participating to create a unique moment for freestyle dirt bike athletes.
In its creation, Bereman sees art.
“It became something very big. Red Bull is said to give you wings,” Bereman told NBC Sports. “This event is really taking off. This is just scratching the surface. But preparations are now literally all year long, gearing up for a week-long event. It’s been non-stop for me. It’s the inspiration and the imagination. Every year we all create from our imaginations because the courses keep evolving and the courses are absolutely insane. In my eyes so far Being able to run the craziest course ever built with all nine of my other best friends is so special.”
The five categories were chosen to tell the “Free Rider Story” and give each rider the opportunity to showcase their greatest strengths.
Madison, known as Mad by his team and competitors, is an X Games gold medalist known for his backflips. He lined up in the competition next to Stenberg, known as Twitch, as an established freestyle motocross and off-road racer. After two days of practice, the team captains had a chance to build the team.
“I’d be pretty disappointed if this turned out to be anything like high school,” Patrick Evans said before entering the draft.
That wasn’t it. In his first attempt at competition, Evans was selected first overall in the speed and style competition and was set to compete against Josh Hill, who recently returned to supermotocross competition with Team Tedder. He doesn’t have to worry about his placement in the schoolyard draft.
“I will be competing against Josh Hill in the speed style division,” Evans said. “So what we’re looking at is pretty much a racetrack. The most fun for me is running around the course. Actually running as fast as I can and trying to jump really fast like on a racetrack. Try to wear as many style and whip and tricks in jumping as possible.
On his third day of practice after being drafted, Brian McCarty sustained a serious injury while practicing the Big Dawg jump in the Fasthouse barn and had to leave the competition.
“Brian McCarty was seriously injured during a team practice and was treated at the University of Kansas Hospital.” Red Bull Motorsport reported through its Youtube channel.. “Fortunately, his condition is stable and he was communicating with his fellow riders the night before the competition.”
This left the teams unbalanced heading into Saturday.
Regardless, Twitch asked to see the tape. He challenges himself to a coin toss to determine which of his switches, which are members of Mado, can steal and level the playing field. Stenberg won and stole Julian VanStippen.
The teams line up as follows:
Team Twitch:
Julian VanStippen: Big Dawg, Best Whip
Guillem Navas: Best Whip
Christian Dresser: Best Whip
Josh Hill: speed and style
Vicky Golden: Creative Line
mad team:
Patrick Evans: Style + Speed, Best Whip
Tom Person – Best Whip
Cole Denny – Creative Line
Tyler Bereman – Big Dawgs, Best Whip
“The way this team format is changing,” Berreman explained. “Basically, we bring each other’s work and progress throughout the week to Saturday so we can work together and play to our strengths.” can bring what they do best to the team table and beat other teams for bragging rights. ”
It all ends with a team ride. It’s called “synchronized dirt bikes,” and teams of four or five people work together to show off their knowledge of the course before expoing on the other side of the event space. With the addition of the team to the already scheduled event, fans and competitors will have a lot of fun to look forward to starting October 8th.