Penza, 18th June 2011: Bright sunshine greeted the debut NIGHT of the JUMPs in Russia. The first competition in FIM Freestyle MX World Championship history held on Russian soil saw 15 freestyle motocross 'cosmonauts' from seven nations launch themselves into orbit above Penza. When Josh Sheehan landed back on earth after a triumphant final run, the sell-out crowd at the rugby stadium in Yuri Gagarin Street went wild.

Red Bull rider Petr Pilat (CZE) was injured during training and unfortunately could not start. Nikolai Ivankov, Michael Yarygin and Vladimir Yarygin flew the flag for the host country after Aleksey Kaleshnikov, who broke his foot during the week, had to present a sick note. Although the three of them got a great reception from their home crowd, they were unable to compete at the same level as the championship contenders and had to watch the rest of the show from the Red Bull pits after being eliminated at the qualifying stage. The German trio of Hannes Ackermann, Lukas Weis and Fabian Bauersachs also put in a creditable performance but were likewise left on the sidelines at half time. Two-time world champion Remi Bizouard was already having some difficulties in practice with the wind and continued to struggle in his run, so no final for him this time. This was contested by Jose Miralles (ESP), Maikel Melero (ESP), Libor Podmol (CZE), David Rinaldo (FRA), Javier Villegas (CHL) and Josh Sheehan (AUS).



In the Whip contest, Josh Sheehan took the honours ahead of local hero Michael Yarygin. The Maxxis Highest Air was won by Maikel Melero who beat the 8-metre mark.

As the six finalists lined up to do battle, the sun bathed the stadium in soft colours, forming an incongruous but beautiful setting for the championship spectacular that was to follow. In the private Spanish duel for fifth and sixth, newcomer Maikel Melero pulled off an Airplane and various flip combos to prevail against 'El Loco' Miralles. After recently breaking a rib, it bordered on the miraculous that Libor Podmol not only started at Penza but also made it through to the final round. However, it was a performance that fell short of the podium.




This was fought out between David Rinaldo, Javier Villegas and Josh Sheehan. Rinaldo went first with Airplane and Doublegrab Flip. Villegas countered with Nac Underflip and Tsunami Flip. But as usual, Sheehan went one better with a Clicker 360 and Lazyflip to earn a well-deserved victory ahead of Villegas (second) and Rinaldo (third) and take the trophy in the first NIGHT of the JUMPs staged in Russia.


By finishing as runner-up in the Russian Grand Prix, Javier Villegas has further consolidated his lead in the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. The Chilean is now 13 points ahead of second-placed Remi Bizouard. Jose Miralles is waiting in the wings, just three points behind in third place.

The last World Championship competition before NIGHT of the JUMPs heads off for its long summer break will be held tomorrow (Sunday), also at the Rugby Stadium in Penza.

Sheehan sets new NIGHT of the JUMPs record
with sixth victory in a row

Penza, 19th June 2011: On Sunday, the Russian city of Penza witnessed the gigantic climax to a mega weekend of international freestyle motocross. Once again, the rugby stadium was completely sold out. Over 10,000 visitors flocked to the two FIM Freestyle MX World Championship competitions held in the context of NIGHT of the JUMPs. On the second day too, Josh Sheehan (AUS) flipped his way to victory and became FMX tsar of Russia. What's more, this sixth victory in succession sets a new record for NIGHT of the JUMPs.

Just like 24 hours before, 15 freestyle motocross riders from seven countries embarked on a qualifying mission. The trio of Russian FMX motorcycling cosmonauts were even more impressive second time round, but it still wasn't enough to get any of them into the final. Causing a stir by going out at the same stage were two-time world champion Remi Bizouard (FRA) and reigning champion Libor Podmol (CZE). The Frenchman did not perform any of his more daring flip combinations, while the Czech rider forgot one of his tricks. The fans also had to bid a fond farewell to Massimo Bianconcini (ITA), Romain Izzo (FRA), Lukas Weis (GER) and Hannes Ackermann (GER) after the preliminary round. Ackermann was injured on his second jump, while Weis and Bianconcini made decent runs that got them no further. Which meant that Fabian Bauersachs (GER), David Rinaldo (FRA), Jose Miralles (ESP), Maikel Melero (ESP), Javier Villegas (CHL) and Josh Sheehan were the six names going forward into final.

The crowd erupted when local hero Michael Yarygin prevailed against Josh Sheehan in the Whip Contest. Maikel Melero was once again unassailable in the Maxxis High Air.

Fabian Bauersachs opened Sunday's grand finale with a clean run which earned him a creditable sixth place. Jose Miralles stuck to his usual routine, which left him no better off than his qualifying position of fifth. David Rinaldo showed off all his best tricks, such as Airplane and Double Seatgrab Flip, to convert a qualifying P4 into a P2 podium. Maikel Melero also charmed the judges to take the third podium spot. Javier Villegas, however, had to settle for an unaccustomed fourth place: although he pulled out all the toughest tricks in his repertoire, it wasn't enough to get him into the Top 3 today.

But reigning supreme once again was Australia's secret FMX weapon, Josh Sheehan, who performed 360s and flips as if they were second nature and dominated the whole field of riders with sheer perfection of style.

This second victory at the Russian Grand Prix has propelled Sheehan to sixth in the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship standings. Still heading the table is Villegas with an 18-point lead over Jose Miralles. Meanwhile, Remi Bizouard has slipped back to third.

NIGHT of the JUMPs now begins a four-month summer break and will return on 22nd October with the eighth round of the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship in Riga.