Basically the McGazzafest is a
relaxed three-day riding, drinking and
partying extravaganza to honour the
big guy, have fun with like-minded
souls, session the incredible Skyline
and Gorge Road jump parks, and
ride until you drop.
After just two years (the first
McGazzafest was held in 2017),
the weekend has become a real
magnet for slopestyle riders. With
the 2018 installment being held
just a week before Farm Jam, there
were suddenly two very, very good
reasons to make the trip to New
Zealand, and as a result, the fire-
power of Farm Jam’s MTB line-up
was bolstered significantly.
The final result though, was the
same as it had been the past two
years, with Matt Jones putting
on extension, amplitude and
execution clinics for an appreciative
5000-strong crowd.
Although he didn’t throw the
Double Backflip like he did in 2014
and 2016 (the soft run-up to the
big trick booter meant speed and
bike movement was slightly more
unpredictable than previous years),
Jones still managed to also claim
the Best Trick award for a perfect
Tuck 720.
But even though he’s claimed the
first-ever Farm Jam hat-trick, Jones
vows he’ll return to Farm Jam 2020.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,”
Jones states matter-of-factly.
“There’s just something about Farm
Jam that’s so unique and special,
and it’s easily my favourite contest
to come to. Where else can you
follow a BMX rider on a mountain
bike through a beautiful set of jumps,
while hearing freestyle bikes’ engines
and the crowd going crazy just over
the hill? But the great thing is, it’s still
a contest, you know? You still want
to throw your best tricks, but you
don’t feel the pressure like you do in
a normal two-run contest. You’ve got
up to an hour to prove your variety,
skill and style, and to make the riders
themselves the judges, it’s kinda like
an action sports democracy.”
Storch, who popped his Farm Jam
cherry in 2018 agrees: “I think
getting everyone on two wheels
together to watch each other ride
in each discipline is really inspiring.
It makes for a new experience for
most people, and fills the divide
that sometimes exists between our
wheeled sports. It definitely allows
for good vibes.”
Storch was so stoked on the event
that he’s already locked himself in
for 2020.
“I wi ll 100% be back in 2020, not for
better results or anything like that,
just to be involved!” the 24-year-old
enthuses. “I think these events are
so good for our sport, and something
our sport lacks. It’s core, and gives a
chance for talented young riders to
compete with/get to know some of
the top pros from around the world.
There aren’t any events these days
that are like that. Farm Jam just has
the perfect recipe to showcase some
great shredding and good times.”
With two of MTB’s biggest names
already confirming they’ll attend
the next Farm Jam, 2020 is already
promising to be massive… and we’re
still more than 18 months out. t
Results
1. Matt Jones (UK)
2. Lewis Jones (NZ)
3. Ray George (USA)
4. Carson Storch (USA)
5. Conor Macfarlane (NZ)
Best Trick: Matt Jones
Best Style: Ryan Howard