Team Battle: Swatch Rocket Air 2016 - Photo Epic

It's the time of a year when the cream of the dirt jumping scene meet in the beautiful alpine village named Thun. This little gem in the Swiss alps is going to experience a major disturbance from its slow-paced life due to the Swatch Rocket Air event, once again! It's action packed from the very first minute. Due to huge interest from many international riders, the host had to held a pre-qualifing round on Friday afternoon. However, the main highlight of the day was the Battle of the Nations. Check it out!

Magical town of Thun in Switzerland welcomed us with best it s got. Amazing good weather breathtaking views and happy people. There s not much more we could ask for...

The magical town of Thun in Switzerland welcomed us with best it's got. Amazingly good weather, breathtaking views and happy people. There's not much more we could ask for...

Thun has celebrated its 750 year anniversary not so long ago... It's great to see that even after centuries it still keeps its identity and didn't change that much from old days...

Despite an injury, Drew never loses his smile. Here's what he's got to say about what happened: "Hello from Swatch Rocket Air, which was supposed to be my mountain biking debut, but unfortunately it's going to be pushed back a couple events. I was at Yannick Granieri's house this prior week just riding and hanging out. Unfortunately, jumped off on a trick and popped my shoulder out... Luckily, I was able to pop it back in pretty quickly, but obviously, dislocation does not heal in a couple days, so I got it all strapped up now. Flying back home on Sunday to do a proper rehab, so I can be back on a bike, soon. Now, I think that my first MTB debut is going to be the 26TRIX event and that's my goal to be ready and strong over there."

Stepping from a medieval town into a... jungle?

Ryan is going to be very busy on Saturday evening but during Team Battle he decided to feed his passion to analog photography.

Ryan is going to be very busy on Saturday evening, but during the Team Battle, he decided to feed his passion to analog photography.

Team UK was going strong. Seems like many riders like tricking this drop.

Matt Jones warming up the crown with his buddies.

Matt Jones warming up the crowd for his buddies.

Szymon Godziek flaming up the atmosphere.

Bienvenido was showing his best trick during the battle.

Team Switzerland was... bananas! Quite literally... The crowd loved them and cheered with scream out of many throats.

Keeping it rather on an oldschool side.

The native riders gave an amazing show for the gathered public. However, it was not enough to steal their hearts...

Ramon can be proud with what he created.

Sam shoed one of his aces from the sleeve. This flat-drop-backflip was impressive.

Sam showed one of his aces from the sleeve. This flat-drop-backflip was impressive.

Right after that sick stunt, he sacrificed for the team and laid down on a flat part of a takeoff. Needless to say, he could's stay there for too long.

Tomas Zejda going big for his own team. Whenever and wherever he does this massive suuuuuper-whip there can be only one reaction among the crown, which is "WOOOAH"!

Szymon Godziek with a smooth flip-whip.

Ryan Nyquist was throwing bars to left and right.

Nicholi Rogatkin was also showing some of the biggest tricks this evening.

Straight from La Poma to Thun Bienve has got some of the best nac-nac in the business.

Straight from La Poma to Thun, Bienve has got some of the best nac-nacs in the business.

I think this is THE trick which was the gnarliest and it gave Spain-Portugal-Italy team top spot.

I think this is THE trick. It was the gnarliest and it gave the Spain-Portugal-Italy team top spot. Arnau Nadal ejected mid-backflip and aimed for Bienve's bike. It was a shame he did not succeed on any of 3 attempts, yet huge props for bringing this move to entertain us all.

Victorious and stoked to be the winning team!

Unfortunately, Oszkar Nagy is another rider who suffered an injury. He awkwardly landed on his hand and broke his wrist. Wishing you a very rapid recovery, Oszkar.

Nicholi will always find time for his fans...

One last interview and the evening is officially finished.

Today, we're going to find out who's going to be crowned as a king of the jungle. Stay tuned for the live feed on Pinkbike!

MENTIONS: @lunatyk / @flyingmetal

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lunatyk
Member since May 4, 2008
92 articles

14 Comments

23 3

abennett219 (Apr 30, 2016 at 6:54)

Backflip to bail. What a nutter. "how does he sit down with balls that big"

ArnauNadal (May 3, 2016 at 2:22)

This trick doesn't need balls to be pulled, otherwise I would have destroy 'em hahah

abennett219 (May 3, 2016 at 4:55)

@ArnauNadal: Pretty sure it does, mad props. Also super cool to have the riders reply on here, thanks man

basinsports (Apr 30, 2016 at 8:39)

Can anyone confirm that Nicholi is on what will be the colorway for the 2017 P.3?

Steezwhip (Apr 30, 2016 at 9:28)

I thought the same thing!! If that's next year's colorway, I know what bike I'm Going to be getting!

basinsports (Apr 30, 2016 at 9:44)

@Steezwhip: Definitely some great custom builds could be made with that color scheme.

Steezwhip (Apr 30, 2016 at 13:16)

@TrueWheelsBikeShop: For sure, now I just need to get the skills to match the bike, haha

cagreenwood (Apr 30, 2016 at 12:13)

Awesome photos Simon, in what looks to be another tricky lighting situation!!

McripperDH (Apr 30, 2016 at 9:46)

Banana man returns from the UCI????

marekg3 (Apr 30, 2016 at 7:12)

What happend to Oscar Nagy

crazyquin (Apr 30, 2016 at 8:59)

He broke his wrist...

TombPhoto (May 3, 2016 at 15:47)

Nailed it as always Szymon!

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