The FIM Freestyle
Motocross
European
Championship sees
new rookies coming
through the ranks
T
HE 2014 FIM FREESTYLE Motocross
Championship season kicked off with some
explosive rounds of the European FMX
Championships taking place in Linz and
Graz, Austria. The European series not only gives
some of the top European riders a chance for a bit
of a warm up before the World Championship series
kicks off, but also gives a great opportunity for some
of the best European FMX rookies to compete on
a world class course alongside their heroes, and in
front of a big screaming crowd of adrenaline fueled
FMX fans!
The European Championship provides a vital
platform for building a future for not only the Night
of the Jumps series, but the sport of Freestyle
Motocross as a whole. Up and coming riders need
stepping stones like this to be able to break into the
sport, get noticed, gain vital competition experience
and start building a career for themselves as pro
Freestyle Motocross riders. Night of the Jumps has
been at the forefront of recruiting new FMX talent for
over ten years now and this is in fact how many of
today’s biggest pros got their break and kick-started
their FMX careers. Some names you might recognize
that followed this rookie path at the European
Qualifiers include: André Villa, Mat Rebeaud, Libor
Podmol, Rémi Bizouard, Josh Sheehan, Maikel
Melero and Brody Wilson.
Basically, if you want to see who has a very realistic
chance of being a contender for the World FMX
Championships, X-Fighters or X Games in a few
years’ time, this is the place to look!
Two rookies that ha ve really stood out for me so
far this season are Kevin Ferrari & Leonardo Fini,
protégés of Italian FMX legend Alvaro Dal Farra.
Leonardo rode his first round of the European
Championships in Linz for the season opener. He
finished in a very respectable 9th position and u
Words: Adam Simpson
/ Pictures: Oliver Franke