Over 21,000 spectators watched top FMX riders, Nate Adams, Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg, and Norway's phenom, Ailo Gaup, battle it out the first weekend of December in Munich at the Nokia Air & Style Games 05.
The elimination format at the Air & Style made for great entertainment. In the first round Nate Adams beat out Drake McElroy; Twitch took out Tobias Immler; Ronnie Renner took Busty Wolter; and Ailo Gaup triumphed over Alvaro Del Farra.
The semi-finals saw Twitch outride Renner, and Nate and Ailo battling it out to a split decision. Both riders threw down the tricks that made the crowds go wild, and left no separation. They had to bring in the tie-breaking judge to make the call. Although torn, he gave the nod to Adams, which knocked Ailo out of the running for second.
In the final round Adams beat Twitch and Ailo bounced Renner out, leaving Adams in first, Twitch second, and Ailo third on the podium. To see video of the final rounds log onto www.freecaster.com/air-style05.
Ailo said of the competition. "Air and Style was way bigger and better than I had expected. I didn't expect so many spectators when I woke up to heavy rainfalls Saturday morning. It cleared up during the day and I had a lot of fun, I think everyone else did too. The competition format was way different than any other contest I've done before, and I think it made it a little more interesting for the spectators, too. "
The Sports Syndicate's Rich Swisher, expert veteran in the field of foreign events, said both the promoter and event were world class, and he expects this event to follow in the footsteps of the Red Bull X Fighters as another "must do" event for the world's FMX elite.
All three riders will find themselves competing once again at Winter X this January in Aspen, CO. 2005 Gold Medal Winner "Best Trick" Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg will be looking for a repeat, while Ailo Gaup and Nate Adams will be doing their best to take the gold for themselves.
About the Nokia Air & Style '05
The renowned European event is a unique combination of Freestyle Motocross games, Snowboarding competitions and music, including that talent of US HipHop star, Xizibit. For more details or photos from the event log onto www.air-style.com.