This epic Silver level event is the first opportunity for the public to see the world’s best slopestylers’ newest tricks, even before the season begins. For the athletes it is an early chance to start racking up points for the FMB World Tour overall ranking. Another great addition to the rider line-up is the British Downhill rider Brendan Fairclough, this also raises the exciting question if Downhill skills can be transferred on to Slopestyle courses.
The FMB World Tour 2013 season was all set to kick off at the Australian Xup Freeride Festival, but unfortunately the finals were canceled due to bad weather conditions – therefore, the debut-event moves to Leogang for the White Style contest. The Silver event status is not least justified by the exquisite rider line-up, featuring scene-stars like Martin Soderstrom, Sam Reynolds, Sam Pilgrim, Thomas Genon or the British Downhill-pro Brendan Fairclough. The 21 riders from 11 nations are highly motivated to show off their winter developments. Which is why White Style, this year in its seventh edition, has always given us a glance into what we can expect to see in the upcoming season and a reliable indicator for the ongoing progression of slopestyle mountain biking itself. The massive White Style course made from snow is sure to produce nothing else than state of the art mountain biking!
A special highlight for all contest visitors will be the Red Bull signing session at the riders lounge, on Friday, February 1st from 7:30pm. None other than current FMB World Tour vice-champion Martin Soderstrom, Red Bull Joyride winner Thomas Genon and the Go Big or Go Home champion from 2011, Szymon Godziek will take their time to thank their fans for their support. Mountain Bike fans shouldn’t lose out on this unique chance to get familiar with their flying heroes and take home an autograph or a friendly photo!
The late confirmation of Downhill Junior World Champion 2006, Brendan Fairclough will give the contest an interesting flavor. We saw the 24-year old “Brendog”, who originates from Downhill mountain biking last year at the Red Bull Rampage. It seems like he takes a liking to non-Downhill-related contests. Considering his Downhill-background, Brendan Fairclough might be a remarkable unknown in the clash for the White Style title.
The confusion about Antoine Bizet’s participation – after he was admitted to hospital due to a severe bike crash last week – was settled by Antoine himself, when the Frenchman confirmed his participation to the event hosts a few days ago. So, this is how the final rider line-up looks:
Niki Leitner AUT Patrick Leitner AUT Thomas Genon BEL Matt MacDuff CAN Tomas Zejda CZE Antoine Bizet FRA Leo Delfour-Barsacq FRA Mehdi Gani FRA Louis Reboul FRA Brendan Fairclough GBR Grant Fielder GBR Sam Pilgrim GBR Sam Reynolds GBR Peter Henke GER Adrian Tell NOR Szymon Godziek POL Pavel Alekhin Vishneviy RUS Teo Gustavson SWE Linus Sjöholm SWE Martin Söderström SWE Anton Thelander SWE
Anyone who loves a good bike show should definitely attend White Style at Leogang’s Schanteilift on Friday, February 1st. Awesome action and huge airtime guaranteed!
YEEEEE macduff represting canada! I dont know if the foot braking will work though becuase the snow in his tires will make it slippery for his foot so we might finnialy see macduff with brakes
