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from the editor
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New Year’s Revolutions
H
ELLO AND WELCOME
TO the first issue of the
FreestyleXtreme Magazine
for 2016. It’s a new year
which means a new you,
right? Who’s already broken their
resolutions? I set the bar pretty low
and still managed to fail. Number one
was to hit the gym. I’ve been twice.
But in my defence my first race isn’t
for another two months... Number two
was to work less, which I can’t see
happening - but is this really work?
2015 ended in Adam, our founding
editor, moving onto pastures new which has meant myself and Seán
stepping up for the next couple of
issues and taking the hot seat while
we find a suitable replacement. Adam
did a great job and we both want to
thank him for all his work crafting the
first ten issues. It really is amazing
what was achieved in such a short
space of time.
I first spoke with Adam in the press
meet-and-greet at Nitro Circus two
and a half years ago, where we floated
the idea about taking his current
magazine, re-branding it and inserting
in orders for free as a thank you to
our customers! It worked and has
now become a passion project to
showcase everything we love from our
adrenaline-charged world. So Adam,
thank you and don’t be a stranger.
As I’m writing this I’m sat in Munich
for the ISPO action sports trade fair
- last time I was here was circa 2002.
Everything was a little different: I was
a fresh-faced teen taking on the world
with a really dodgy hair cut - acquired
from a German barber with a definite
mullet vibe.
So much has happened since! This
was just before FMX exploded and
the Backflip was still the holy grail for
most!
Last year was a crazy year for
progression - I honestly can’t believe
some of the tricks, edits and events
that happened. From Billy Morgan’s
Quad Cork, Sheenan’s Triple Flip to
Maddo’s Pipe Dream - 2015 rocked.
2016 is off to a strong start with a
packed supercross field and some
of the best racing I’ve seen over
the last couple of seasons. I really
hope the top guys stay fit and Reed
can continue his title-charge for old
times’ sake (great to see him back
on a Yamaha). If Roczen dials in his
starts then we can hopefully get an
epic battle for the championship with
Dungey.
I’m also fascinated to see how Gautier
Paulin rides - since his move to Honda
he has kicked on and he’s been at
the Aldon Bakers’ training camp with
Dungey and Anderson.
The first ever Nitro World Games
will take place in the summer. It’s an
exciting prospect to hopefully see a
competition recapture the spirit of
the early X-Fighters and X Games.
The course looks pretty gnarly - but
hopefully we can trust Travis and
the gang to deliver spectacular
progression without putting audience
captivation above rider safety.
So this issue is the mark of a new start
for the magazine and an epic start to
2016!
We kept all your old favourites, on
page 59 Jason Halayko brings all the
raddest shots from the Japanese FMX
scene, Michael Laverty catches up
with Bradley Smith, our cover star. We
also added new columns from BSB
champ Josh Brookes and the pied
piper of 2 strokes, GL12 Racing. So sit
back and enjoy the ride and here’s to
new year’s resolutions: f**k them!
The MXGP looks equally exciting.
We caught up with Ben Townley to
discuss his return (including his MXoN
appearance) and his push for the title
with Stefan Everts behind him - he’s
my not-so-wild card choice to win.
Ben Robert Richardson
Regular contributors
Doug Parsons
Doug is an OG
Californian FMX and
Freeride legend who
made a name for himself
in the Moto XXX videos.
When Doug isn’t out
shoveling jumps and
riding the hills with the
Dirt Bike Kidz, he’s
getting creative with a
pen and paper.
Simon Makker
Ex-editor of Freerider MX
magazine, New Zealand
born Simon Makker is
as well respected in the
action sports media
industry as they come.
A talented writer and a
truly sick photographer,
‘Smakker’ has the skills
to pay the bills.
Jason Halayko
Jason is the leading
FMX photographer in
Japan. Having worked
a lot with Eigo Sato in
his early days, Halayko’s
photography has
progressed to an aweinspiring level over the
last decade or so.
Michael Laverty
When it comes to
Superbikes, no one
knows their stuff more
than Michael Laverty.
In 2015 Michael will be
racing the BSB series
for Tas Tyco BMW and
working as a test rider for
the MotoGP Aprilia team.
In-between all this he will
be bringing us the best
SBK features direct from
the pits!
Ricky Monti
One of Europe’s top
action sports and FMX
photographers, Ricky has
written for many a major
motocross and FMX
magazine. The artistic
Italian continues to blow
us away with his unique,
inspirational photos
and open, in-depth
interviews.
Adam Wheeler
Adam is one of the
motocross industry’s
leading journalists. He
has written for RacerX
(USA), Motocross
Illustrated (USA),
Motorwereld (BEL), Dirt
Bike Rider (UK), Moto
(UK), MotoX (GER),
Motociclismo (SPA), Race
(SWE) and Motocross
(ITA) to name a few.