Sam Pilgrim is the 2013 FMB World Tour Champion

Sep 27, 2013 at 7:55
by FMB World Tour  
With an outstanding season and back to back podium results, Britain’s Sam Pilgrim has finally achieved what he has been fighting for over the last few years: the FMB World Tour overall title. Sam is the first ever European to win the FMB World Tour title. Besides writing FMB World Tour history, Sam will be presented with the golden CamelBak Eddy Bottle and a major part of the 30,000 EUR overall cash prize money.

Sam Pilgrim

Pilgrim’s consistency during the season was incredible. He landed on the podium at almost every event he competed in. The TSG rider entered the season with a huge bag of tricks and the courage to send them at some of the biggest FMB World Tour Slopestyle competitions. In the end, his determination and focus gave him the victories he deserved and consequently enough points to claim the FMB World Tour title before the season finale at Red Bull Rampage. His top 6 results which collectively crown him FMB World Tour Champion are:

photo

We caught up briefly this morning with a little sleepy Sam to congratulate him and ask him what he has to say about his victory: “Since the world tour first started I’ve always wanted to win the overall title cause after all that’s what it is all about – you travel the world and compete at events with the goal of winning the overall title. For the last three seasons I have always been in the lead of the FMB World Tour overall ranking but never managed to hold it together till the end. Finally I managed to stay in the lead and came out on top. This is just awesome.”

photo

The whole FMBA team congratulates Sam Pilgrim on his 2013 FMB World Tour victory.

Of course we also have to take into account that his strongest competitors Martin Soderstrom (SWE) and Brett Rheeder (CAN) got injured during the season, missing out on some important events and crucial FMB World Tour points. Until now, Canadian fans had their fingers crossed that Rheeder, who was the only rider with enough points to challenge Sam Pilgrim for the title would fully recover just in time for the final event, Red Bull Rampage. Unfortunately for Brett and his fans, this is not the case. It was a tough call for the young Canadian who dominated the first half of this year's FMB World Tour season, but Brett officially informed the FMBA offices today, saying that he is “not going to be competing at Red Bull Rampage. My back is not 100% yet and even when I regain full strength, it will take a few weeks of training before I can participate in ‘high impact sports’”.

photo

Even if the fight for the top spot of this year’s FMB World Tour is over, there are numerous athletes still in contention for the remaining podium spots. Martin Soderstrom currently ranked 2nd and Brett Rheeder currently ranked 3rd can still be passed in the overall ranking by Thomas Genon (BEL), Yannick Granieri (FRA) or Anton Thelander (SWE) depending on the results from Red Bull Rampage.

photo

So make sure you tune in to the live webcast of 2013 FMB World Tour grand finale at Red Bull Rampage on October 13th, live on redbull.com/bike and fmbworldtour.com.

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145 Comments
  • 566 11
 Cheers guys! Stoked about the win!
  • 17 1
 Amazing Sam! Well done!
  • 6 0
 Well done, mate
  • 26 0
 Atta boy Pilgrim! Taking it home for the Euro's! Great season, don't let us down at rampage though!!
  • 5 2
 Congrats mate, now you just need to win Rampage to cap off your season. Good Luck.
  • 12 2
 Hardtail Hero FTW!!
  • 9 0
 locoola- that would be shocking, haha. Although it's going to be sick to see him on a DH bike and what he does with it, especially since he locked the overall down.

But congrats! That is so sick. Treat yourself by getting a gold tooth Wink
  • 3 0
 Congratulations, an amazing result, job well done.
  • 3 0
 Scott-Townes More like 8, and gold played braces!
  • 3 1
 You the man Sam - love your throw it all out there style and you have one of the best attitudes on the scene. Hoping to kick it with yea on the trail someday! Shred on my brother and keep throwing it huge! Mack
  • 3 0
 Hard work pays off! Congrats!
  • 2 0
 Good job Pilgrim! What can you do at Rampage?
  • 4 2
 Atta boy SammyP!! Hope you ride your hardtail at Rampage
  • 9 49
flag JS15 FL (Sep 27, 2013 at 13:00) (Below Threshold)
 Hey Sam, here's a video for you. www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3JRxxznYM4
  • 29 54
flag freeride-forever (Sep 27, 2013 at 13:49) (Below Threshold)
 Good job Sam. Did you thank Semenuk for letting you have it this year?
  • 4 1
 Many congrats Sam have fun at Rampage it was a pleasure to meet you at the Bearclaw
  • 8 1
 Congrats pilgrim, you've always been my fav fmb rider, just please get a better helmet sponsor, tsg lids barely meet the safety standards for skating let alone mtb freeride, makes me cringe everytime I see a serious rider with such a thin helmet :/
  • 1 0
 Hey Sam?! Can we see some more dancing like you did in that one video in the department store.
  • 1 0
 Well done mate!
  • 2 0
 Congratulations Sam "the Man".
  • 2 0
 Keep rocking the beaters and producing the banter Sam. Take Scott Townes' advice and get a new tooth, and don't cry off from Rampage! Woop woop!
  • 7 23
flag will-oddy1 (Sep 28, 2013 at 10:19) (Below Threshold)
 well done pilgrim, semenuk had no chance of winning it the moody fag
  • 1 0
 Well deserved and hard earned. Top form, Sam.
  • 1 0
 Congrats Sam, epic season and good luck on getting a two peat for next year. Pink bike, is there any way you could have used a different podium picture (i.e. he is not the winner of the contest he is pictured in).
  • 1 0
 Congrats If you would finish rampage with your hardtail you would be legend Oh forgot your are legend anyway
  • 98 28
 Freeride Mountain Bike trophy won on a hardtail. I think the FMB lost the freeride part somewhere in there.
  • 51 7
 But also mind you, Sam rides his Hardtail anywhere, guy's got unreal bike control.
  • 34 5
 Bear in mind though he chose to rode a hardtail when a lot of other riders were riding full sussers...
  • 57 4
 Such as Joyride, he was out with the wife beater, piss pot helmet and his one brake hardtail, everyone else had the FR jerseys, gloves, full face helmets, goggles and the slope bike with two brakes(or one, depends who though) and I think that proves how nuts he is.
  • 64 10
 People wear full faces because unlike Sam, they care about thier teeth
  • 28 10
 And unlike Sam they didn't win the FMB overall title cause he's one bad ass mofo. Get your attitude in check dyumbass - you're talking about a Legend in the MTB sport - have some respect.
  • 33 77
flag ratherberidin (Sep 27, 2013 at 11:17) (Below Threshold)
 It only took 2 of the top riders to get injured and another to basically quit the dumb contest scene.... Pilgrim wouldn't be standing on a podium if rheeder, soderstorm and semenuk made a full season
  • 32 2
 Ratherberidin ,they didn't,he did,get over it
  • 22 3
 @ratherberidin. There is always one kid has to ruin a perfectly legitimate chain of comments with his ignorant-ass opinion.
  • 2 8
flag ridethree (Sep 27, 2013 at 13:02) (Below Threshold)
 genericmk if i cold just give you more than one prop
  • 24 5
 Uhhhh, who's the moron that decided that "freeriding" can't be done on a hardtail & since when? Some people even "freeride" on rigids. Dumb kids.
  • 3 17
flag llamaman110 (Sep 27, 2013 at 14:01) (Below Threshold)
 He has a piont, free ride originated on hardtails. On "DH" I am faster than my older brother is on his sx trail, and can keep up to a 18 year old on a demo (who is really good)
  • 5 2
 a bit of luck is always needed, pilgrim held it out the whole season long and played a smarter game, soderstrom went for broke at crankworx which is ballsy but at the same time cost him his chance, also pilgrim fully holds his own at events like vienna air king which is more of a dirt jump comp, soderstrom, rheeder, and semenuk excel maily on the slopestyle courses which arnt all the events!! Smile
  • 8 9
 It is about time we have more real freeride contests! No one is going to take this sport serious as long as people are pulling of triple back flips and such with a BMX on the same generic dirt jumps...
  • 13 0
 I think it's hard for some people to give Sam the "FMB title" that he earned because he wasn't part of the upbringing of mountain biking as much as others were; NWD/Kranked/The Collective movies, oldschool sketchy MTB comps, doing slopestyle on 45 pound bikes.. etc. But he played the game fairly and won the title on his hardtail, so props to him! Very consistent rider, I don't think anyone could disagree.
  • 7 0
 ratherberidin you can say this about any sport, if this, if that, but at the end of the day Sam stayed till the end and earned the top place, it was no gift.
  • 1 0
 They all played by the rules, Pilgs had the most points so he won. If you don't like it change the rules or shut up.
  • 10 18
flag will-oddy1 (Sep 28, 2013 at 10:19) (Below Threshold)
 well done pilgrim, semenuk had no chance of winning it the moody fag
  • 1 0
 hahahahaha will oddy 1
  • 2 0
 There needs to be more mountain comps earlier in the year. That way you actually get some freeride mountain biking into fmb. (Keep in mind that I know slopestyle is insane and I could never do it). When you take the title but just doing slopestyle then it's basically 26" bmx
  • 3 2
 Semenuk could have taken the title if he won rampage... That means he would have only competed in 5/6 events... Not to mention his already back to back titles
  • 4 0
 Semenuk wasn't up for the contest scene this year. He didn't compete in enough to get near enough points, so don't be an asshole towards him, he's a great rider.
  • 1 0
 That has nothing to do with why he wasn't a part of the FMB
  • 1 0
 What do you mean? He was filming a lot and didn't want the stress of all the contests, so he didn't compete in the FMB. Or at least that's what I thought.
  • 1 0
 Right, but it had nothing to do with him having a lack of points, because he still could have won
  • 1 0
 Oh I get my mistake, your right.
  • 1 0
 bull shit he competed in crankworx and xgames and the claw invitational which are all fmb events
  • 1 0
 But he wasn't registered or somthing like that, so while he gets the money and all that, he doesn't get any points. That's just what I have heard.
  • 33 2
 Good job Sam! Well deserved...
  • 8 169
flag michaelmarsh (Sep 27, 2013 at 9:26) (Below Threshold)
 I think there should be a rule stating that for someone to win the overall title that they place at least top 10 at rampage. And if the top rider on the scoring sheet doesn't place top ten then you go down the list until you get to the next person who did.
  • 174 1
 So by your logic, if someone comes in 1st place at every single event all season but then has a mechanical on every run at rampage and doesn't place, they shouldn't win the overall? You just went full retard.
  • 17 0
 LOL. Full retard indeed:P
  • 5 0
 Well done, Sam. You've been working hard at it! Congrats. Heal up, Brett and Martin. We're looking forward to seeing you guys shred next season!
  • 5 30
flag michaelmarsh (Sep 27, 2013 at 18:23) (Below Threshold)
 Woohoooo -103 props That's a personal record
  • 3 0
 i.qkme.me/3qz98d.jpg
  • 2 0
 It's important to be good at something, sask250.
  • 27 0
 Congratulations Sam from our whole NS Bikes team! You really deserve it mate!
  • 28 4
 damn i was realy hoping to see rheeder back at rampage!
  • 11 0
 My thought is this- the same thing could've happened to Sam instead of Brett or Martin and then there would be the same dialogue about Sam being out of the competition as a major competitor for the top spot. So with that, congrats to Sam! PS- all the best to Martin and Brett- we'll all be looking for you to give'her next year!
  • 10 3
 i hate how this post is about how pilgrim won and people are commenting saying he wouldn't have stood a chance if semenuk and rheeder were fit. Guys, he was one of the only guys at joyride on a hardtail with a piss pot and wife beater, seriously he's a fucking machine and deserves it. FUCKING GET IN PILGRIM
  • 5 0
 Sam this year had the recipe it takes in slope style. Finishing runs, throwing huge when he had to and no injuries. That takes a lot of discipline and talent. On top of that his happy energy is a welcome change from the usual arrogance of some top riders. Sam is what a champion should look like
  • 3 0
 Bloody right. Always cracking a smile if he wins or loses. That's a true champ.
  • 7 2
 Sam definitely earned it fair and square, and even more, with a smile on his face. But I feel obligated to say that I don't think that flairs, 540s, and turndowns are the heart of what freeride mountain biking really is. That being said, I have seen Sam spend alot time on his downhill bike lately, which is awesome!
  • 7 0
 Sam deserved this, such a legend for using his Hardtail at every event too!
  • 6 1
 Congrats sam,, well done,
Now please go show all the naysayers you deserve this and place in the top 5 at rampage,,
Even bdt
Better if you do it on a real bike a hardtail,, lol Wink
  • 2 0
 Congrats for Sure!

Im sorry but I think the pics are not worthy of such a huge deal. As much as I love Semenuk, you didn't have to pick out a picture of them standing on the same pedistool. And there is a gigantic red bull in the first picture, your telling me that was an accident? Let him and his sponsors have a bit of glory, we all know who Semenuk is and rides for..
  • 11 6
 Well done Sam! Brits go hard!
  • 5 1
 Avoiding injury is part of the sport. Pilgrim was consistent and didn't get injured he deserves the win.
  • 6 2
 good to see a brit win the fmb world tour GO ENGLAND!
  • 2 0
 Well done. Backing u and gee at rampage although il be watching it throughvthe laggy redbull player. Trophy is prity awsome dude
  • 6 2
 Prepare yourselves! Fans arguing that Rheeder was robbed are coming!
  • 8 0
 I don't see how someone can be robbed by an injury. Knowing Rheeder he will hopefully be back on top next year if he is 100% healthy.
  • 2 0
 awesome season! super high level.
i wish to see an FMB event happen in my country, why not?..
congrats Sam! Soderstorm and Rheeder.
  • 3 3
 "Of course we also have to take into account that his strongest competitors Martin Soderstrom (SWE) and Brett Rheeder (CAN) got injured during the season, missing out on some important events and crucial FMB World Tour points. "

What a dick thing to say. Part of being a champion and winning a championship, not a one off event, is figuring out how to stay healthy.
  • 4 2
 Who cares about the FMB! It's dead and that's why a lot of the riders are not even signed up!
  • 2 0
 Well done Sam! All that hard work paid off and all the moves are amazing, great to watch!
  • 5 6
 By default only, did Sam win. However that is the nature of the beast in a sport where injuries are rampant and usually serious. I'm sure he's glad to take the win. Wish it was more of a top three shoot-out/Antherton vs Smith style battle for points at the end this year.
  • 2 0
 You're in luck. There is another Atherton vs. Smith shootout next week!
  • 1 0
 Nice one dude! Good to see the British at the top of the cycling game and no lycra involved! Big up Void bike shop and Mr Spukuan!
  • 1 0
 The craziest part of this whole thing is that Semenuk actually smiled in one of the pictures.
  • 2 1
 Well done Sam. Keep flying the flag brother!
  • 2 1
 Nice one Sam, you well deserve this, so stoked for you!
  • 2 1
 Nice one sam good to see the FMB cup in the uk
  • 1 1
 get back on take me out sam.....they ll defo keep those lights on now ur officially the worlds best!!
  • 4 2
 Well done Sam!
  • 12 12
 how many points would semenuk have if he was competing in FMB this year? how many points would he have if he won rampage?
  • 11 16
flag michaelmarsh (Sep 27, 2013 at 9:31) (Below Threshold)
 Enough to win the title that's for sure
  • 21 31
flag scriz (Sep 27, 2013 at 9:52) (Below Threshold)
 Funny how these FMB write-ups try so hard not to mention Semenuk... despite winning both crankworx, bearclaw's, and throwing down hard at X-Games. It's ok FMB, we all know who the best is.
  • 14 1
 @sask250, you can't say for sure, if he were to take part in all contests then he could have had a major crash or just had bad runs, equally he could have done amazing. So you can't say he would have had enough to win, stop trying to take it away from Pilgrim as he has been so sick this year !
  • 11 16
flag home-team (Sep 27, 2013 at 10:56) (Below Threshold)
 Pilgrim has had an amazing year, but if you add up the contest points that Semenuk would have received in the contests that he attended he would be in the top 5 for sure. And if he wins Rampage and Pilgrim does not do well I would wager that Semenuk would have more points than Pilgrim.
  • 7 2
 Semenuk didn't take part of the FMB this year. Respect for his choice and props to Pilgrim
  • 6 4
 I am not trying to take away from what Sam has accomplished, I am more trying to say that the FMB has a flaw in it's system. Saying Semenuk did not take part in the FMB this year is a little bit off, he took part in and won several FMB sponsored events.
  • 22 3
 First of all, Congrats to Sam Pilgrim!

@ home-team

That was an interesting question in my mind, so I tried to figure it out. Correct me if I am wrong, but this is what I figured out. Had Brandon been competing in FMB this year, his point total from only the contests he rode in this year would be:

Diamond:
Red Bull Joyride (1000 pts) + X-games (910 pts) = 1910 pts

Gold:
Les 2 Alps (750 pts) + Bearclaw Invitational (750 pts) = 1500 pts

1910 + 1500 = 3410 pts -- Interestingly this would have him in 5th overall to date.

Now the next part I had to make some assumptions. Rampage is a diamond event, for which Brandon is pre qualified and Sam has to qualify. (I did not know if you get points from the place you end up if you do not qualify.)
- If Sam qualifies for the final and finished last (12th place) he would have 4718.1 pts and would maintain the FMB overall title.
- If Sam did not attend Rampage, Brandon would hypothetically have to get 4th in Rampage to have enough points to pass Sam in the points race.
- If Sam does attend Rampage, but does not qualify for finals, and no points are awarded to those who don't qualify, then Brandon again would have to get 4th. However if points are given to the riders that compete, but do not qualify, the only way Brandon could surpass Sam is if Brandon wins and Sam places 38th or lower. Again, I do not know whether points are awarded to those who don't qualify. If someone knows, I am interested to know.

I didn't do any calculating for the other riders, but since Brett Rheeder and Martin Soderstrom are out, Thomas Genon and Sam Pilgrim would have been the only riders at Rampage that would have more points than Brandon. I thought this was quite impressive that even though Brandon will have only attended 5 events, he still would have had the potential to win the Overall Title.

Anyway, Congrats again to Sam Pilgrim on winning the 2013 FMB World Tour!
  • 17 2
 Yeah, but what if Chuck Norris competed? What ifs are meaningless - Pilgrim was damn good, and he won.
  • 6 0
 Of course what ifs are meaningless. What if Gwin had been on a Trek instead of a Specialized this year, it doesn't matter. I wasn't trying to make a argument for who is the better rider, or whether Sam should or shouldn't have won, or anything. I simply answered the question about how many points Brandon would have. Pilgrim is a great rider and deserved the title, for which I gave credit to him twice.
  • 1 0
 It wasn't a comment directed at you revboy, it applies to all the comments above, and many others on this forum.
  • 3 9
flag jaame (Sep 28, 2013 at 1:45) (Below Threshold)
 Why didn't Semen uk compete in the FMB anyway? I heard it's because he was afraid of crying on TV again when he realised he'd been too arrogant to give the big bike enough practice time. Another source, who commented on condition of anonymity, speculated that he fears the Pilgster!

Honestly we all know Semenuk is better, and every time they have met he's bested Pilgs. But you've got to be in it to win it. So why wasn't he in it? Too lazy or too cool to do enough events? If you know, please post up the reason.

I think it's too slanted in favour of rampage and joyride anyway. There shouldn't be any diamond events. As it stands and as discussed above, if someone can do five events in a season and win the overall there's something wrong with the points system. Do they say if you want to compete for the overall you have to commit to ten events or something?
  • 3 0
 @jaame, Wow. You think Semenuk is too arrogant? You can hardly have a say in that as you obviously don't ever read or watch any of the recent articles about Brandon, if you had, then you would have learnt that he didn't want to do a full season of contests as he is working on a new film and also he said that he found normal riding more fun than having constant pressure on all the time. Seriously, don't judge before you know the facts.
  • 2 0
 STFU jaame you know nothing about Brandon anyway.. He's super chill riders..try to have some fun..just like what Andreu Did. Sometimes you dont need to push on your passion to get what you want.. Just sit down and enjoy new NWD Film featuring Brandon Semenuk. That will be blast!
  • 1 0
 Some of you have way to much time on your hands! Go ride bikes stop typing on the computer!
  • 1 0
 ^Same goes for you then @Skylapride? :p
  • 3 0
 I notice Semenuk has not made one comment on his likelihood of winning FMB this year if he had attended the events.....that's probably because as a rider himself, he shows some respect to the other riders who have given it everything and risk their necks to get to the top of the sport. He won FMB two years on the trot, so maybe he wanted to do something else this year, who know's but Sam has been there year in year out and is a credit to the sport.
  • 1 0
 Whatever Trevor. To me, Semenuk is to freeride what Gwin is was to DH the last two seasons. Fookin awesome rider, untouchable, but also not cool. Face it, he hasn't got anything on Pilgrim's personality. When you look at sports and who goes down in history as one of the greats, it's not just about producing the goods in contests, it's also about being likable and transcending your sport. Pilgrim for sure can learn some tricks from Semenuk, and likewise Semnuk can learn about the banter and being a crossover media talent. I saw that game show Pilgs was in on normal TV - can't really picture Semenuk doing the same. That is why Pilgrim will go down in history as one of the greats, even my mum and aunts know his name and goofy grin from TV. I don't hate Semenuk, I've never met him and he hasn't done anything really bad like killing people or something, so hate would be far too strong a word. I'm just not a fan of the way he comes across on the internet. For me, having the banter and producing good interviews is as important as the riding itself. Just like Gwin, all these people are saying he's cool, but I can see for myself he isn't!
  • 1 0
 It's so weird when people talk about semenuk being arrogant. I know that his way of coming across is not very appealing to most people, but he is just a super calm and quiet dude.
  • 1 0
 @jaame

Being on a game show and being outgoing in interviews isn't enough to "transcend the sport". That and, personally, I've heard of a lot more people idealizing Semenuk and his riding then Pilgrim. That being said, congrats to Pilgrim on the win.
  • 3 2
 Sam is literally so steezy
  • 1 1
 congrats Mr Pilgrim! you are one of my fav riders and enjoy watching any edits with you rippin it hardcore
  • 2 0
 Grand Prize!!! A Tooth
  • 2 1
 What if thomas genon wins rampage?
  • 2 2
 No one cares
  • 1 0
 second place
  • 1 0
 Get In! Sam Well the Hell Done! Now Smash it at Rampage.
  • 1 0
 SHRED
  • 5 4
 yes pilage
  • 2 1
 Congrats Sam!
  • 1 0
 Yee congrats brah!
  • 1 0
 Congrats Sam!!!
  • 1 1
 Congrats Sam! Its about time!
  • 2 1
 Pilgrim you legend
  • 1 1
 the missing tooth is sam's lucky charm!
  • 1 0
 You the man Sam!
  • 1 1
 yes sam!!!!! suce a sick guy well done done man
  • 2 2
 Pilgrim is one ugly dude but sure he can ride !! Congrats!
  • 2 4
 For all you guys that said Sam had no chance at crank works and he's just a DJ guy.....yesssss Sammy boy....well done
  • 1 4
 Congratulations Sam. Semenuk couldn't handle the pressure so didn't compete in the full fmb tour. Whilst Sam could. In my eyes that's a fair win for pilgs.
  • 2 1
 Yeah, semenuk can't handle pressure. That's why he won the overall, crankworx, chatel, les 2 alps, bearclaw invitational, rampage, claymore challenge. I totally agree with you
  • 1 0
 Sure I read somewhere that the reason he didn't want to compete in all the FMB comps this year was because he didn't want the pressure of flying all over the world competing and wanted to film more. But I could be wrong.
  • 1 3
 Now go and win rampage if your riding it lol
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