Pictures by Tobias Hannig/tobPIX.com | Story by Oliver Franke/IFMXF.com |
Munich, 28th May 2011: With the dissipation of the Icelandic ash plume, the airspace over the Olympiahalle in Munich cleared up for the premiere of the Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs and a much-anticipated display of high-flying antics from twelve freestyle motocross professionals performing their most audacious backflips. Australian Josh Sheehan once again rotated into another dimension to clinch his fourth successive victory in as many events.
The fans were naturally rooting for the five Germans on the bill: Kai Haase, Tom Ferber, Lukas Weis, Hannes Ackermann and Fabian Bauersachs. Although they pulled out all the stops, not a single one of them made it through to the final round, Bauersachs finishing seventh, Ackermann eighth and local lad Lukas Weis ninth. The unluckiest man on the evening was two-time world champion Remi Bizouard (FRA) who developed engine problems after his second jump and consequently had to abandon his run. Which meant that the finalists were Romain Izzo (FRA), Red Bull rider Petr Pilat (CZE), Jose Miralles (ESP), David Rinaldo (FRA), Maikel Melero (ESP) and Josh Sheehan.
Speed & Style – Lukas Weis (Winner) and Jose Miralles
Because of the two mobile landing ramps this time, there was no Highest Air competition, but there was the usual MAXXIS Race & Style Contest plus – after a long absence – a whip contest. Local hero Lukas Weis took victory in the MAXXIS Race & Style, which went down a treat with this audience. Sheehan triumphed in the Hein Gericke Best Whip.
Fab Bauersachs rode great after renewing his suspension![](Stories/notj_munich11/fab.jpg)
For the first time in ages, Romain Izzo qualified for a NIGHT of the JUMPs final. After a few solid tricks, he seemed to run out of steam and was unable to improve on his qualifying rank. This was also due in part to Petr Pilat who – inter alia – performed a Side-saddle Take-off Backflip to Side-saddle Landing which secured him fifth place overall. Jose Miralles had twisted his back in training which inhibited him in the preliminary round. But in the final, he gritted his teeth to pull off all his best stunts, though these were still not quite good enough for a podium.
Maikel Melero performing the Airplane (Onehanded Crack Nac)
The three top spots were decided in a hard-fought battle between Spain, France and Australia. Melero and Rinaldo countered each other with trick bombshells, both laying on a NIGHT of the JUMPs Premiere in the shape of the Airplane: the panel of judges were so impressed that they awarded them 404 points. But because Rinaldo had scored more points excluding scrapped results, he took the runner-up spot ahead of Melero.
David Rinaldo rode consistant and ended 2nd
Towering over everyone else yet again was Josh Sheehan. His 360, Clicker 360, Lazyflip, Tsunami Flip,
Killer Whip, Superman Seatgrab Backflip and much more besides saw him through to his fourth victory on the trot.
Josh Sheehan won the 4th time in a row the NotJ
The IFMXF World Ranking is still led by Jose Miralles (352.5 points) of Spain. Best of the German contingent is Fabian Bauersachs ranked fifth.
The winners: Rinaldo 2nd, Sheehan 1st and Melero 3rd
![](Stories/notj_munich11/winners.jpg)
The last two NIGHT of the JUMPs contests before the summer break are scheduled for the weekend of 18th-19th June in Penza (Russia), when the riders will have the opportunity to accumulate more points towards the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. Munich-based fans should mark 28th April on their 2012 calendars. That's when NIGHT of the JUMPs will be staging a world championship debut in the Bavarian capital.
FACTS & Figures Suzuki NIGHT of the JUMPs
Munich, 28th May 2011
Results NIGHT of the JUMPs – Final
1. Josh Sheean AUS MA Honda 431 Points
2. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 404 Points
3. Maikel Melero ESP RFME Yamaha 404 Points
4. Jose Miralles ESP RFME KTM 394 Points
5. Petr Pilat CZE ACCR KTM 376 Points
6. Romain Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 360 Points
Results Qualification
1. Josh Sheean AUS MA Honda 378 Points
2. Maikel Melero ESP RFME Yamaha 359 Points
3. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 356 Points
4. Jose Miralles ESP RFME KTM 353 Points
5. Petr Pilat CZE ACCR KTM 343 Points
6. Romain Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 325 Points
7. Fabian Bauersachs GER DMSB Suzuki 318 Points
8. Hannes Ackermann GER DMSB KTM 310 Points
9. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki 290 Points
10.Thomas Wirnsberger AUT OSK Yamaha 265 Points
11. Kai Haase GER DMSB Suzuki 232 Points
12. Tom Ferber GER DMSB KTM 183 Points
13. Remi Bizouard FRA FFM Yamaha 88 Points
Results Maxxis Race & Style Contest
1. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki
2. Kai Haase GER DMSB Suzuki
Results Hein Gericke Whip Contest
1. Josh Sheean AUS MA Honda
2. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki
IFMXF World Ranking
1. Jose Miralles ESP RFME KTM 352,5 Points
2. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Suzuki 320 Points
3. Remi Bizouard FRA FFM Yamaha 305,5 Points
4. Brice Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 279 Points
5. Fabian Bauersachs GER DMSB Suzuki 174,5 Points
6. Massimo Bianconcini ITAL ACCR KTM 163,5 Points
7. Brody Wilson USA AMA Yamaha 155,5 Points
8. Hannes Ackermann GER DMSB KTM 141,5 Points
9. Josh Sheehan AUS MA Honda 128 Points
10. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 125 Points
11. Petr Pilat CZE ACCR KTM 107 Points
12. Alastair Sayer BOT Suzuki 101,5 Points
13. Javier Villegas CHL Yamaha 100 Points
14. Maikel Melero ESP RFME Yamaha 100 Points
15. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki 94 Points |
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