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Cyclemania BMX Freestyle Competition a New Zealand First

Thursday 26 November 2009, 9:45AM

By Cyclemania

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TAUPO

International BMX freestylers are in Taupo to compete in a head-to-head style of competition not yet seen in New Zealand.

The event, organsised by New Zealand’s BMX freestyle champion and Taupo Sportsman of the Year, Jed Mildon, will be the first held on a new portable two metre ramp especially built for Cyclemania, Taupo’s festival of cycling.

“It’s a one-on-one battle, a bit like a game of tennis with a gymnastic score system,” says Jed Mildon.

Five judges will score the 24 riders, including Australian top BMX freestyler Nick Cooper, who are competing in Taupo on Friday. The judges will look for height, execution, trick, style and finally the crowd appeal. Backflips, flares and tail whips are just some of the tricks spectators can expect from the competitors.

Jed Mildon says BMX freestyle is athletically demanding and requires significant mental and physical strength.

“Some people see it as a hobby rather than a skillful sport. I want to change that attitude.

“You need mental and physical agility and when you ride, you’ve got your future in the palm of your hand,” says Jed, who’s witnessed a fair number of crashes while competing overseas and in New Zealand.

Hosting Friday’s BMX freestyle competition in Taupo will help further Jed’s dream of Taupo becoming ‘the BMX freestyle capital of New Zealand’, perhaps even Australasia. An indoor facility would be even better, he says.

After Friday’s competition the ramp will move to the North Domain where the BMX freestylers will demonstrate their skills on Saturday and Sunday as part of the festivities for the Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.

Cyclemania was launched in 2008 and is a joint venture between Bike Taupo, Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge, the Taupo District Council and Sport Waikato.