SDG Dirt Competition – Stage 1 - Jeremy Struik wins

Holland's first dirt competitions started last Saturday with the first event in Drachten.

Dutch's best MTB DJ/Slope Style riders were there with a few BMX riders, to have a good day together with what has become a small group of mates.

The organization had aimed for a MTB Pro, BMX Pro, MTB Amateur and BMX amateur competition, but this format didn't really work in Drachten because of the low number of BMX riders. This forced the crew to mix all classes together. That way, the contest was held as a Jam.

All Nine riders had three runs on the three doubles. The four riders with the highest score were riding three more final runs. The line for this event was put together by the SDG crew in a very short amount of time, so that made some people worry, but when the first riders jumped the line a day before the contest, it was all good to go.

The riding was good from the start, everyone gave it their best shot. Dutch Kona Grassroots rider Roy Groenewegen was throwing superman's, nfcc's to both sides, a toboggan, a combination of a tire grab and a tuck no-hander and after a few close attempts he managed to land a few tail whips. Jeremy Struik was boosting high as always and had some nice tuck no-handers, x-up one-footers, 360's and x-up's.







Kevin Katinas, another Dutch Kona Grassroots rider, just back from a broken heel bone, tried a superman, nfcc's , x-up's and he won 50 euros in a bet with Roy Groenewegen by doing a 360 on the biggest double. He wasn't be able to do clean runs at this moment, so he didn't made it to the finals.



In the finals, Jeremy Struik took away the first prize from Kona Grassroots rider Roy Groenewegen by only one point. Dave v/d Hoeven surprisingly ended in third place. Jeremy Struik: 'I was just expecting to have a good time riding with friends, but because of consistent riding I won, really cool.'


Highlight of the day came from Boudewijn K. Neven. He tried a front flip on the biggest 4,50m gap double, he came a long way, but crashed it on his ass, everyone gave him big props though.


To give this event some extra bodies and attention, it was organized in cooperation with the KIKA fund festival. KIKA is a organization who stands up for children with cancer, they raise money to fund medical reviews and clinical trials.


The event was born because of the effort of Sjors de Geus. He is a bikeshop owner (SDGbikesports.nl) and one of the earlier freeriders in the Netherlands. ‘The riders asked for a competition, so we tried it last year with one event, but the weather wouldn't work with us. So we made it a competition with 4 events for this year.'

The next event is on May 18th in Goirle and is open for riders from all countries. More info at www.sdgbikesports.nl.


-Photos and words by katinasd.