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Parker Poised at the Top
BMX Vert Prelims Recap
By Jared Souney
A humid, sunny Saturday afternoon in Richmond will bring out the best in just about anyone, especially a group BMX vert riders. I expected the vert prelims to be a relatively mellow event—at least as mellow as a vert contest can get—but the madness was quick to begin.
Ten of the best vert riders in the world gathered on the ramp for some hot action. Australian Matt Fairbairn dropped in first, with lightning fast barspins and high 540's. Jason Branham brought some new tricks to one of the year’s first vert contests, including flairs, which he dropped in his second run. Ben Snowden is known for his skills on the streets, but is quickly making a name for himself on the vert ramp with airs in both directions, and large tailwhips. Zach Shaw brought his smooth style over from the UK. A sketchy first run was followed by an improved second run filled with flairs, inverts and 540s. One of the most stylish tricks of the contest was Zack’s no-footer to invert. Koji Kraft is everyone’s favorite tailwhipping goofball. Double whips and crazy combos should have been enough to qualify at the top, however amazing runs were cut short by some goofing around. Koji is still around for the finals, so if he keeps his momentum he should be one to watch.
If you want to see a truly traditional vert style, look at Jay Eggleston. Jay’s style is reminiscent of legends like Joe Johnson and Brian Blyther, and his huge variations and 540's are always fun to watch. In contrast is Tom Haugen, who takes his park style to the ramp with some tech tricks along with a new trick for Tom, a double tailwhip. Mike Mancuso comes from Greenville, NC, home of some of the biggest names in the sport, and Mike is moving himself up the ranks with big tricks like his no-handed flairs.
The show really got started with the last two riders to ride, and also the two top qualifiers. Simon Tabron's 540's are incredibly smooth, and included variations like turndowns and inverts. Simon also threw down flairs and back-to-back smooth variations to qualify himself in the second spot. The top spot was State College, PA resident John Parker, who also came to the new season with a bag of new tricks. John unleashed an incredible nothing (no-hander, no-footer) as well as a decade air, huge tailwhips, and an opposite flair.
Judging by today’s prelims, tomorrows final ought to be a real treat. With so many new tricks there’s no telling what could happen tomorrow. You’ll just have to check back and see!
