FMB-X-Games Update Tarek Rasouli

Hi Tarek, just read the exciting news about the FMB & X Games Diamond event. I have a few questions that I'm sure you can answer for me. Ready for a mini interview?

16 riders go into the heats for 2 runs, best score counts, top 10 move to finals. How will the 16 riders be picked, will it be the top 16 in FMB points @ the time the Games open on June 27-30 or will the X-Games decide?

As it is for all Diamond events: the top 12 of the 52 week seeding list will be invited. The deadline for the standings will be 6 weeks prior to X Games Munich, so Red Bull Berg Line will be the last event that will count towards the seeding list.


Will a spot be saved for last year's FMB winner (Semenuk) in the top 16 if he's hurt during the run up to the games and out of the top 16 in points?

That won't be a problem, since he should still be in the top 12 on the 52 week seeding list.


Does the Red Bull Rampage winner (Sorge) get a top 16 invite even though he may be out of the top 16 come game time?

We will discuss this closer to the event, since we pick 4 additional riders to join those top 12 from the seeding list. Sorge is an amazing big mountain rider, but in slopestyle there are so many that deserve the spot - we will evaluate closer to the event. It would help him if he was successful at some Gold level slopestyle events, like Red Bull Berg Line or FISE Montpellier. And of course it would be good for him if he signed up for the tour as well to collect points for the 52 weeks seeding list.


Once the final 10 are chosen will they pick one or two spares, positions 11 & 12 from qualifying, for the finals in case of injury during practice so they will have a full field of 10 into finals?

We definitely want a full field of 10 riders for the finals. The qualis and finals will be on the same day, so all riders will be there. In the end we (event's sports direction/ESPN and FMBA) will decide about it.


Have the judges been picked yet? If so who are they, FMB or X Games judges for this first time event? Can you tell us who they are, names, countries and experience?

Of course we have to choose experienced mountain bike judges that are all certified FMBA judges. Most of them are already picked: guys like Trond Hansen, Aaron Chase, Paul Rak, Axel Jurgens, Tibor Simai will be judging.


Who is doing the design for the slopestyle course, is the X-Games working with the FMB on a design? Are the top FMB riders being consulted on what this first time event course should look like?

The course will be designed by one of our main course builders that has worked on the District Rides, 26TRIX, White Style and other events before. The course design is also looked at by the FMBA and the athletes on the advisory board. Bearclaw will most likely be there during the full build of the course.


Do you see this being primarily a dirt jump style course or will it be more like the Joyride course from Crankworx, a mix of mountain & dirt jump to make a true slopestyle?

It will be a true slopestyle course. It will feature the big jumps, road gaps, hip jumps, drops, satellite dish, step ups, and super booters at the end (similar to Red Bull District Ride).


Since most of the FMB events will be held in Europe before the X Games with some of the major contests coming after X Games like Joyride and Bearclaw's event, will this make it difficult for North American riders to qualify for the X Games? A lot of North American riders don't come over to compete in all these events, so their points totals with be less than the Euro's. Last season Brandon Semenuk won 6 events to jump to the lead near the season's end.

As I mentioned, the FMB World Tour's 52 week seeding list will be counting for the first 12 riders (currently it is 50/50 European and North American riders). In addition, we look for the best mountain bike slopestyle riders (and those 4 additional ones don't have to be necessarily on the FMB World Tour, but of course it helps). We suggest for all riders to make sure to attend events like FISE, Red Bull Berg Line or even some of the Silver events (especially for those guys that have a weak 3rd result which they could improve with a victory at one of those Silver events like Vienna Air King, Swatch Rocket Air or Teva Slopestyle).


Will the FMB hand out medals and trophies for this event or will it just the X-Game medals be awarded?

Like at all events - except at the FMB World Tour finals where the FMBA gives out the overall awards - only the event organizers will give out awards, so yes, the X Games will be giving out the X Games medals.