Recap: Kona International Rookie Games - Pumptrack Challenge

The Kona International Rookie Games from August the 6th to the 9th at Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, Tyrol, celebrated its first winners with the finals of the Dakine Pump Track Challenge. The champions of tomorrow started off successfully by conquering the symmetrical butterfly-shaped track that was built at the start of the season and will remain here until October. Berms, rollers and a loose gravel based track was quickly mastered as riders started off from the purpose built Bensink hydraulic start gate.

35 kids between the ages of 11 through to 18 battled for the win on the pumptrack at the base of the bike park in perfect weather conditions that saw a large crowd gather to watch the action unfold. The top four from each class moved on to the finals, where they raced head to head against each other as well as against the clock before swapping lanes and repeating.

One of the really close categories was decided between Fabian BURGARD (GER) and Wout VAN DER WELDEN (BEL) with Fabian taking the win.

Siel VAN DER WELDEN (BEL) and Alina BECK (GER) are ready for their final heat, with Siel taking the win

Fabian BURGARD (GER) on his last meters to finish during the Rookies Pumptrack Challenge

One of the really close categories was decided between Fabian BURGARD (GER) and Wout VAN DER WELDEN (BEL) with Fabian taking the win.

Atis SCERBINIS (LAT) on his way to victory during the Rookies Pumptrack Challenge

RACE RESULTS:

Under 13 Boys - Atis Scerbinis from Latvia
Under 13 Girls - Siel van der Welden from Belgium
Under 15 Girls - Anna Newkirk from USA
Under 19 Girls - Janosch Klaus from Germany
Under 17 Girls - Paula Zibasa from Latvia
Under 17 Boys - Fabian Burgard from Germany
Under 19 Girls - Hannah Kurek from Poland
Under 19 Boys - Yannik Ochs from Germany

NEXT UP

Saturday and Sunday will see more action from the Kona International Rookie Games with both the slopestyle and downhill streamed live here on Pinkbike.

Saturday: 15:00 - 16:00 CET iXS Rookies Cup Downhill Finals
Saturday: 16:00 - 17:00 CET Rookie of the Year Slopestyle Finals
Sunday: 13:00 - 15:00 CET iXS International Rookies Championship Finals

Siel VAN DER WELDEN (BEL) gives it all the Rookies Pumptrack Challenge during the Kona International Rookies Games in Tyrol

MENTIONS: @FMBA / @iXSsports / @Bikepark-Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis / @konaworld

Posted In:
Racing and Events

Author Info:

si-paton
Member since Jul 26, 2006
361 articles

7 Comments

tobiusmaximum (Aug 8, 2015 at 6:55)

Good to see different wheel sizes racing side by side. Video won't load at the moment, where I am.. Does it look like the course favoured a particular size?

bermroller (Aug 8, 2015 at 10:17)

Different transition radii are not better or worse for different wheel sizes or wheelbases, that's a common myth. The modifying factor is speed. If wheel size affected pump, then large transitions, such as on a vert ramp, wouldn't be pumpable on bmx bikes, or even skateboards. What matters is speed. A pump track designed for generating easy low speed for little kids will have smaller transitions with closely spaced rollers, a high speed track will have larger transitions spaced further apart to accommodate generating higher top speeds, but will be more difficult to generate lower lower speeds on. This course looks like it's designed in the higher speed range so some of the kids had to pedal.

tobiusmaximum (Aug 8, 2015 at 14:16)

So you're telling me my local pump track will be just a easy on a bmx, 26dj and a 29er? This doesn't sound right. Btw, I only meant the terrain, looks rough for the little wheelers.

bermroller (Aug 9, 2015 at 8:27)

Well each bike will accelerate a little differently. I'm talking about bikes that are appropriate for that kind of riding, obviously a 29er will be more difficult to throw around, not ideal, but you can pump just fine on one. You are correct about terrain, though. I'm assuming all tracks are smooth, which they are not. Of course bigger wheels will be faster the rougher the terrain is.

DGWW (Aug 8, 2015 at 19:46)

RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB, Suspension only eats your energy on a pumptrack. Take that suspension sponsors

stacykohut (Aug 8, 2015 at 7:32)

wheres team wbp?

brule (Aug 8, 2015 at 9:00)

At Kidsworx I suppose