Nicholi Rogatkin Lands 1080 Twister on a DH Bike at Nine Knights

Sep 8, 2017
by Pinkbike Staff  


Rogatkin has once again landed a world first: an off-axis 1080 – known as ‘The Twister’ – on a downhill bike during Suzuki Nine Knights MTB at Reschenpass, South Tyrol, Italy. Fresh off his world first 1440 at District Ride, he's made a habit of smashing boundaries – he landed a Cashroll on a DH bike at Nine Knights back in 2015. He's still the only rider out there doing 1080s in competition and stomping them on a DH bike is even more impressive.

bigquotesI didn’t really think the Twister on the downhill bike would be possible as only a handful of guys have ever even done 720s on a DH. The fact that Suzuki Nine Knights MTB was the first event where I pushed my riding on a downhill bike gave me a lot of confidence. The boys hyped me up to send it and I’m stoked I made it work!—Nicholi Rogatkin

To catch all of the action from the public contest day at Nine Knights stay tuned to @nineknights..

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148 Comments
  • 197 4
 he has a visor on his helmet!
  • 41 1
 I think that's just a camera mount, haha!
  • 31 0
 He's definitely doing a 1440 next, when he takes off that visor then!
  • 15 1
 That's the real world first!
  • 32 0
 I just love how stoked he is when he pulls sh*t like this off! It's like he's a little kid who just opened a brand new bike on his birthday.
  • 12 3
 @cristouf: Au contraire, mon amí. As the great Rob Warner said, "If you fall in a run and break your visor off, that's it, you're done. you don't ride without a visor". He'll clearly step up his game now he has a complete helmet!
  • 10 0
 The video where he broke his visor off.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUtCP7MW_lE
  • 14 0
 Waiting for his world first triple tail on a DH bike.
  • 4 11
flag MasterSlater (Sep 8, 2017 at 14:48) (Below Threshold)
 @chyu:

He's gonna need a MUCH bigger ramp than they had at District if he's gonna even come close, a DH bike's gotta be what... at least 15lbs heavier than a slope style bike?
  • 6 0
 The internet exploded because of his visor! I didn't excpect how adding a visor to your helmet could be so powerful.
  • 1 2
 Well eventually he noticed Metzger wasn't that cool after all and polite guys dress well #semenukaDaKanukaa
  • 9 1
 I wonder if someone new to pinkbike is like, "Why is everyone obsessed with his visor when he threw down an absolutely insane trick?? WHAT IS GOING ON!?"
  • 1 3
 @chyu: Why who did a double? Rheeder was the first to do a single on his session with a 36 180.
  • 1 3
 @MasterSlater: DJ bikes are 23lbs DH can be built at 32lbs.
  • 2 0
 @choppertank3e: @choppertank3e: Rheeder was definitely not the first to tailwhip a DH bike. Aggy has done it on a Kona Stinky (heavier than any of todays DH bikes) and I'm pretty sure Cam Mccaul and a few other lower key riders have in the past too.
  • 1 2
 The only thing close to hearing a rider land something so awesome is hearing and watching laughing baby videos YouTube
  • 74 1
 this guy makes me want to ride my bike and quit at the same time.
  • 8 0
 Very well put! :-)
  • 17 0
 Things have progressed so far, I was once at a point where I thought, "well professional things look hard but doable/possible" now it's just like, "NOPE I don't even know the name of that one".
  • 3 0
 yep! Being that I used to go to jump comps n stuff, you'd think I knew them all, now I just watch and think..... Bugger that!
  • 46 8
 Shame he isn't going to Rampage this year, would be great to see this there!
  • 24 4
 This dude is all about big stuff, I'm really surprised he won't be there.
  • 19 27
flag JustinLund (Sep 8, 2017 at 11:40) (Below Threshold)
 @PHeller: It's not up to him, it's invite only
And the dudes who kinda run Rampage, like Zinc, really don't like Rogatkin
You can hear about it whenever they get interviewed at Crankworx events, talking about him killing style
  • 30 4
 @JustinLund: I think those dudes need to get over it. It's not my favorite style either, but it is super impressive, and we have plenty of room for style AND progression.
  • 14 11
 As much as I'd love to see him throw some stuff down at Rampage again, it just really doesn't suite his style of riding. I think he's maybe a bit too FULL SEND, and a little bit un-calculated. This here, throwing down NBD's is where he belongs I'd say.
  • 8 8
 @JustinLund: I don't think its that, its more likely that he just hasn't proven enough as a big mountain freerider to warrant an invite over the guys who were invited.
  • 30 5
 @sino428: IDK man, falling down a 30 ft cliff and getting up and finishing your run is proof enough to me
  • 12 7
 @JustinLund: I'm not really sure what that has to do with his qualifications as a free rider. The fact that he was able to get up was nothing more than pure luck.
  • 10 1
 @sino428: Most guys would've written it off at that point and not finished their run. He is tough as hell and always wants to send it for the fans, even when he crashes.
  • 7 2
 @JustinLund: "And the dudes who kinda run Rampage, like Zinc, really don't like Rogatkin"
Which reflects poorly on them, if it's true. It's bike racism.
  • 22 0
 @BenPea: and @justinLund:

Your comments are unfounded and outrageously inaccurate.

First off, his name is Zink, no Zinc and he has no say so in Rampage just like every other invited rider. Second, Rogatkin was a Sensus rider. You know Sensus, the company that Zink owns...Cam loves what Rogatkin is doing and is a massive supporter just like every other mountain biker. Progression begets positivity and vice versa.
  • 2 1
 @bhowl: I did say "If it's true". Just riding on the anti-anti-Rogatkin train. Glad to here it that it isn't, but I don't know either of you so f*ck knows. And yes, obviously he doesn't run rampage. He's not Austrian for a start.
  • 2 1
 @JustinLund: Way to speak for people you have no idea about.

There are a ton of people who kill it out there so its based on previous results and the wild card entry edits people submit. Rogatkin would be sick to watch but there are about a dozen other gnarly shredders before him because the sport is at that level.
  • 4 0
 @JustinLund: seriously just going to call Zink
out like that? lol where are you getting that impression? Pretty sure it is not up to Zink who gets invited to rampage. Also provide some links to these supposed interviews where Zink, or any other pro rider, says they don't like Rogatkin?
  • 1 1
 @JustinLund: my point again would be so what? Just because the guy is crazy and got lucky he didn't die falling down the cliff, doesn't mean he's more qualified for rampage than the guys that were invited.
  • 2 1
 Rogatkin is like a pit bulldog. Just cause your dog wants to attack a train doesn't mean you should let him. Even though there's a good chance he'll derail it. The new Rampage site has tons more exposure than the one he fell off a cliff at. I don't want him to die.
  • 1 0
 @BenPea: wouldn't that be bikism? And doesn't pinkbike pretty much live on bikism...ebikes, 29ers, etc.
  • 1 0
 @bmcknight: man, the whole planet thrives on isms... gism being the number one.
  • 2 0
 Just put him instead of Metaller. Done!
  • 2 0
 @StFred: f*ck no. Metailler destroys it. Hitting those lines at the speed he does is unreal.
  • 1 0
 @BenPea: the whole planet thrives on asms...gasm being the number one
  • 34 1
 Different angle.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIrWyr3HgXI
  • 4 0
 Never gets old!
  • 2 1
 thanks
  • 2 0
 This "different angle" is the true Rogatkin--no visor
  • 28 1
 Rogatkin is on streak--killing it!
  • 26 1
 #justgonnasendit
  • 26 5
 Can we please start a get Nicholi Rogatkin into Redbull Rampage petition going?
  • 9 0
 He may not want to after last years crash
  • 18 1
 @Chrislegg: Or was he excluded because he kept on going after last years crash?
  • 6 9
 The event isn't a good fit for him at the moment. He needs to gain more big mountain experience first.
  • 6 16
flag Billjohn6 (Sep 8, 2017 at 11:08) (Below Threshold)
 @eball: Yeah many call it "being tough", but it was outright dangerous. He is so effing lucky that his bike did not fail during the canyon gap. Imagine if the brakes or chain or anything had locked up approaching the canyon ramp.... No self-respect after having almost lost his life.

That said, this 1080 video is balls to the walls nuts, good stuff.
  • 8 3
 Why do people act like he hasnt proved himself in freeride? Or big mountain? Riding it like Zinc or not, this guy has some real damn good talent. For him to get up and shrug that shit off and keep sending it says that the mountain isnt big enough. Most people who say that he hasnt proved himself wouldnt even start at halfway point of the mountain. So people who look down apon him, eat shit.
  • 2 0
 Sorry, got a little aggressive. But just scrolling down and reading those comments was really annoying. Just couldnt contain it hah...
  • 4 1
 @Billjohn6: you've never experienced an adrenaline rush have you?
  • 4 4
 @chillrider199: I definitely don't look down upon his skill, but he hasn't proven himself to the extent that others have in that particular area of mountain biking. I would never claim a park skier could shred spines no problem and I would never claim someone who can shred spines can also do well in the park. Same thing here.He may be excellent at slope, but He wouldn't match up to Zinc, Aggy, or many of those guys this year. I'm not saying he never will, but with a limited number of riders and a comp that isn't about trick blasting there are certainly better choices.
  • 1 2
 @chillrider199: And why the hell would I need to be able to ride the course to make that observation? Riddle me that.
  • 3 2
 @taquitos: "He needs to gain more big mountain expirence." You some sort of expert? You done the Rampage course?
  • 3 0
 @chillrider199: Again... I don't need to have done the course to make a comparison. I've been tuned into this comp since the beginning and have seen a lot of different styles on the various courses. Tell me all the judges can ride the course and I'll give it to you.
  • 3 2
 @chillrider199: people act like he hasn't proven himself in free ride or big mountain because he hasn't. What contests has he entered? Placed well in? What edits or movies has he put out where he is riding big mountain lines on a DH bike? Him almost killing himself last year (and by pure luck being able to ride away) is not something that makes him more qualified than the group of guys who were invited.
  • 2 0
 I prefer Iron and Coppers riding compared to Zinc's
  • 1 0
 @Spark24: Let's just agree to both be thankful that he made it out alive and is still ripping new tricks for us to marvel at! And by the way I ride Highland NE Style A line to Power Hour to Slope...hit road gaps...Suicide No Handers...so yeah fair to say that I like me some adrenaline.
  • 21 5
 So I'll be honest, as someone who can't even do a 360... I recognize that this is a remarkable thing to do. But without seeing it in slow-motion, I have no idea how someone can tell a 1080 from a 1440. It all looks somewhat spastic to me. Impressive, but spastic.
  • 9 6
 Having watched all these guys progress over the past few yrs has been spectacular, Loved it. But I agree...once it gets this complicated...regular Joe Blow can only judge landings really....like the Olympic gymnasts...lol
  • 5 5
 clearly the word spastic means something different in the US as that would be considered pretty offensive in the U.K.
  • 3 4
 @DaveGFC: Also offensive in NA, but many people probably don't know what the word means.
  • 12 2
 Calling someone a "spazz" is about the extent of it...otherwise, a perfectly normal word used in normal cobversation. Stop trying to make every.got.damn.thing about political correctness.
  • 2 0
 Sometimes you have to replace your eyes with your brain.
  • 1 0
 @DaveGFC: The Spastic Society became Scope. Spastic is now a vacant set of letters. Woohoo!
  • 19 0
 for Sucks Fake! "just gonna send it" guy is a beast!
  • 14 0
 What a beast, so insane what he has done this year alone...and he is still a young guy.
  • 14 0
 Next level playstation tricks
  • 4 1
 I cant even do that on the ps
  • 4 0
 @RedBurn: This is that trick that you can only do while drunkenly mashing buttons!
  • 12 2
 The twister is secondary in this news! He has a visor!! No more second place finishes for Nicholi! Slopestyle is his sport now.
  • 4 9
flag mollow (Sep 8, 2017 at 10:12) (Below Threshold)
 Yeah that was the joke in the first comment up top. And slopestyle is already his sport.
  • 13 0
 Rogatkin for Rampage!
  • 11 0
 calm down nikolai holy shit
  • 12 1
 That orange Demo is sick looking.
  • 8 1
 Yup - love the look!
  • 9 0
 I was impressed by jordie lunn hitting 720's on a big bike... this takes the cake
  • 10 1
 The most impressive part about this is it's the first 1080 he's done with a visor.
  • 10 1
 Rogatkin + world's first are becoming a daily headline.
  • 10 0
 Ridiculous
  • 11 4
 Every thousand generations, a perfect child is born, a Golden Child. He has come to rescue us.
  • 8 0
 Golden child with a golden bike. 2000 years ago it was Jesus but unfortunately for him he had no bike
  • 8 0
 I hope Spec pays him the big bucks
  • 8 0
 If not, he will/should make like gwin did, just say what he wants and if Specialized refuses, look for a brand that can afford. YT!!
  • 8 0
 Hurricane Nicholi to be the strongest in recorded history.
  • 8 0
 and i can't even whip...
  • 13 6
 well, to be fair to you, on that bike he can't whip either, so I guess you guys are equal
  • 9 0
 I feel as though the could whip that bike... he can't tail whip it but for sure he whips it
  • 10 0
 @curtiskulliw: He sure can, ask anyone that rides Highland they will agree
  • 3 0
 Can you nae nae?
  • 6 0
 @curtiskulliw @Bigernmcracken: he sure can
  • 6 0
 @OwenHergelMtb: for sure
  • 7 0
 At least I'm less winded than him climbing a hill #enduro
  • 3 1
 I doubt that. That guy puts in some work....
  • 6 1
 Diego Caverzasi almost landed the twister too. on the dj bike however. still impressive. check his instagram
  • 7 0
 Boss
  • 8 1
 not fuckin human
  • 7 1
 That was rowdy.
  • 5 0
 And his next 1080 will be on a unicycle, what a nut!
  • 7 1
 That's twisted
  • 7 2
 What a time to be alive...
  • 5 0
 NINE KNIGHTS 2018

1440 on THE big bike. I bet 2000€
  • 4 0
 on board helmet cam footage is still less nauseating than bar mount of cairns
  • 4 0
 His visor makes this 100% more legit. F*CK YAH Rogatkin!!
  • 7 2
 What a fucking master
  • 6 1
 That doesn't make sense.
  • 4 0
 When is his spin breaking into 5 digits?
  • 1 1
 Agreed, his style and flow isn't there like other riders. His tricks obviously are, but my god sometimes it looks like he doesn't even know how to ride a bike but can somehow manage to nail getting to each jump and executing tricks.
  • 3 0
 This is like Dave mirra bmx for pc circa 97. I miss Windows 98...
  • 2 0
 Dammit where is protour ?
  • 5 5
 meh. We all knew this headline was coming. Show me stuff other riders are doing at nine knights. Next year rogatkin lands 1440 on dh bike at nine knights. Okay
  • 2 0
 Bike check please wheel size (27.5 I'm sure) and weight.
  • 1 0
 Nobody noticed that he was chainless?
  • 1 0
 no chain??
  • 1 0
 Where are we going ?
  • 1 0
 I could do that.
  • 2 3
 Jeez
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