Basel, 21 June 2013: After the freak weather in Europe on Thursday, another storm blew intoBaselthe following day with the arrival of the world’s Top Ten freestyle motocross riders in the Sankt Jakobshalle, all of them intent on scoring points towards the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. This is the seventh occasion on which NIGHT of the JUMPs has been staged in theBaselarena, and with the championship campaign having reached an absolutely critical stage, the tension was running exceptionally high.

The riders line-up – photo: Adam Simpson

As early as the qualifying round, a whirlwind of tricks was unleashed. David Rinaldo, Dany Torres and Libor Podmol were cracking one backflip flash after another and almost threatening to bring the roof crashing down. Clinton Moore was also firing on all cylinders with his proprietary Volt, his Nac 360 and his insane version of the Tsunami Flip. Maikel Melero managed to book the sixth and last slot for the final round.

Clinton Moore with a next level Tsunami flip – photo: Adam Simpson

Despite excelling themselves on the evening, Jose Miralles (ESP), Hannes Ackermann (GER), Massimo Bianconcini (ITA) and Kai Haase (GER) missed out in the battle for the final.

Bianconcini was competing in his first high jump event since breaking his wrist in the X Games. The Italian seemed to have been edged out by Miralles who cleared the 8.50-metre bar while Bianco knocked it off at his first attempt. However, the world record holder not only sailed over the second time round but subsequently jumped 8.80 metres to secure yet another victory in the Maxxis Highest Air.

Massimo Bianconcini ruling step – up – photo: Adam Simpson

Maikel Melero claimed the Rockwell Time Best Whip trophy in a face-off against Clinton Moore.

The storm clouds were brewing again as the finale got under way. The audience were ecstatic as both Rinaldo and Melero pulled off a Double Seatgrab Flip on their final runs. The surprise was great when even tricks of this magnitude were insufficient to secure them a podium finish. Libor Podmol also failed to make it into the Top Three, emerging uninjured after crashing into the barrier coming out of an Underflip Indy, but had the consolation of a huge applause from the crowd.

Libor Podmol throws a sick Rock Solid – photo: Adam Simpson

The same outcome befell Clinton Moore as he executed a Seatgrab Flip, but he jumped straight back onto his bike to finish his run which included a massive 360 nac, an insane Tsunami Flip and then a Volt. This performance was rewarded by the judges with third place.

 Clinton Moore throwing a big Volt – photo: Oliver Franke

Brice Izzo celebrated a spectacular comeback in Basel with a new triple combo, a Tsunami Flip, an Underflip and various takeoff and landing variations. Ultimately, though, the Frenchman was outgunned by Dany Torres who fired off a salvo of Paris Hilton, Oxecutioner and Lazy-boy Backflips.

Danny Torres with a big Lazy-boy flip – photo: Adam Simpson

In the World Championship standings, Libor Podmol and David Rinaldo were the main beneficiaries of the injury-related absence of reigning world champion Remi Bizouard. Podmol has now taken the lead with 82 points ahead of Rinaldo on 80. Bizouard meanwhile slips back to third on 72 points.

The sixth round of the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship takes place tomorrow in the second of a NIGHT of the JUMPs double bill in Basel.

 

Highlights Edit:

Results: NIGHT of the JUMPs – Final

1. Dany Torres   ESP  KTM  387 points

2. Clinton Moore     AUS  Yamaha   372 points

3. Brice Izzo    FRA    Yamaha   372 points

4. Libor Podmol     CZH Yamaha     369 points

5. David Rinaldo      FRA    Yamaha  362 points

6. Maikel Melero     ESP    KTM  347 points

 

Results: MAXXIS Highest Air

1. Massimo Bianconcini     ITA     KTM      8.80 metres

2. Jose Miralles     ESP     KTM    8.50 metres

3. Maikel Melero   ESP     KTM    8.00 metres

 

Results: ROCKWELL Best Whip Contest

1. Maikel Melero    ESP     KTM

2.ClintonMoore      AUS    Yamaha

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