Photo Epic: Vienna Air King Finals

The tenth edition of the Vienna Air King is in the history books and we know it will be a very important page of it! The use of the term “next level” may not sound so humble, but it’s hard to use proper words to describe the riding. Once again Tarek Rasouli’s crew and Balzamico Trail Designs outdid themselves with the whole event organization. The track really caught the attention of the crowd gathered at the Argus bike festival. But let’s get back to the most important business. Let's see how V.A.K. has put its influence into the decade of MTB dirt jumping history.

In the beginning there was dirt. Tons of it placed differently than 5 years later. Jump into our time machine and discover how Vienna Air King has progressed into to one of the most respected dirt contests in the World...

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THE HISTORY

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Back in 2010, when riding in speed shades and baggy jeans was a desire of the most of the riders on the scene, Sam Pilgrim and Martin Soderstrom happened to keep it slimfit. What was laughed off 5 years ago is a trend now, that’s how it is. Also it was the last year when the dirt track was placed in the different position that it is now. Just look at the size of the jumps that scared riders back in a day…



Let’s go to the year 2011 where skinny jeans and Pilgrim’s toothless smile were a typical view on the top of the podiums. One of the few persons that switched this way of being was the Swedish “Giant” himself. Beloved by his style, Martin Soderstrom felt in Vienna like in the second home after his blond head discovered the way to stand among the top three everytime he visited the capital of Austria.




Andreu Lacondeguy was ahead of the time with his FMX style and execution of the tricks. Vienna Air King was a place where his supermans became his signature.


Back in the 2012 the international level of riding was about to explode. With riders from the whole World, Vienna’s status in the dirt category was settled down deep and strong. It was a year of crazy spinning combinations from the brakeless riders. Sam Pilgrim's dynasty was rolling steady and always towards the win.





2013 was a year of opposite's. Brett Rheeder came as a shy Canadian teenager and went back home with the Air King title in his pocket thanks to the ability to spin in the every way possible. This was also the year when the hardest ever best trick was stomped up to date at the Vienna’s competition history.




One year later Brett is back with his different way style. Opposite flipwhips had the whole dirt jumping scene drop its Jaw but it was his cork 720’s that groms wanted to learn just after their first barspin. Yet, it was Szymon Godziek's favour to bless the scene with FMX orientated tricks and claimed backflip cliffhanger during the Best Trick competition. Thomas Genon is on his calm way of setting high scores at every contests he shows up to.

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2015 FINALS

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Finally, we are here, 5 years later at the 10th anniversary of the Vienna Air King in the majestic Rathausplatz at the Argus Bike Festival. Thousands of spectators, hundreds of bikes and tens of booths all in one place. The progress that was made from day 0 to now being one of the most respected weekends in the FMB World Tour is simply insane! The new breed of riders are ruling now but the oldschool rippers still love to visit the capital of Austria to pursue the dream of the perfect dirt jumps.



























What will the next decade bring into our life as MTB enthusiasts? Will quadruple tricks hit the tracks or style would matter more? We will be there to catch it all for you!

Photos by: Bartek Woliński www.wolisphoto.com
Words by: Mateusz Szachowski

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MENTIONS: @FMBA, @rasoulution

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