We're back from the first edition of the Avoriaz Roof'n Slopestyle, it was massive, check the pictures ! 1 – Sam Pilgrim 8.4 pts 2 – Cam Mc Caul 7.9 pts 3 – Yannick Granieri 7.8 pts 4 – Amir Kabbani 7.7 pts 5 – Tom Cauquil 7.3 pts 6 – Darren Berrecloth 7.1 pts 7 – David Desnoes 6.9 pts 8 – Johan Duchaine 6.5 pts 9 – Pierre-Edouard Ferry 6.4 pts 10 – Anthony Tomassi 6.3 pts
Press Release : Under a radiant sun, and watched by over 10 000 spectators, the 30 top world riders took part in this new contest, already rated as one of the top international MTB slopestyle events (Whistler, Barcelona, Milan and Munich)..
The Braun Roof’n slopestyle is a new age MTB event: it doesn’t take place at ground level, but on the roofs and along the streets in the centre of Avoriaz, a mountain resort with its own particular architectural style. For a first event, the result was amazing, with mountain bikers literally flying through the skies as they executed jumps and figures over 10 metres high, whilst riding around an intriguing track which had required the building of giant earth and wood modules: launch ramps, scaffolding, swing bridges and other challenging obstacles. The circuit, designed by Cervo, THE slopestyle specialist, is ‘totally mad’ according to professional riders, who were very impressed by the track’s original and challenging aspects. No stopwatch - amplitude, fluidity, style, commitment and difficulty were the criteria analysed by the 4 judges during the 2 runs braved by each rider. Following the qualifying runs, the 24 best riders set off for a final run, which resulted in a victory for Sam Pilgrim, one of the favourites. He had already beaten all rivals the previous day in the Best Trick test (over 2 consecutive jumps), and was the over-all champion of this MTB freestyle event, the most important ever organized in Europe. In Avoriaz this British rider confirmed his tight hold on the sport’s pole position, having already won 3 major contests so far this year (1st London Quashquai / 1st Vienna Air King / 1st FISE).
He out-classed the American champion Cameron McCaul (winner of the 1st Berrecloth Invitational 2007). Both of them commented that they were ‘surprised by the originality of the concept, impressed by the sporting event itself, and had great pleasure riding the track’. Sam professed to being ‘proud to have won this first competition’. The top French performer came third. Yannick Graneri took a daring chance, and remarkable risks that the judges seem to have approved of, and justly rewarded. He attempted a figure never seen in France before, called a ‘double tailwhip’ (the bike pivots twice around the handle bars during a jump). He couldn’t find the words to express his enthusiasm: ‘it was the best French and European slopestyle contest ever, the organization was perfect As for the Canadian Ben Boyco, one of the favourites, he made a bad strategic choice. A rigid bike (as opposed to a total suspension model) would have given him an advantage on the technical modules he was faced with. His compatriot Darren Berrecloth also regretted his choice of bike, but ‘had a lot of fun riding, and adored the resort, very different from Canadian ones’. French Cédric Gracia, a reference point in MTB free ride, had wanted to participate as he wished so much to be part of the world selection for this first event. He put all his enthusiasm into organizing the event, which was much appreciated by spectators. Attention should also be drawn to the remarkably high sporting level, and praise given to an already remarkable youngster: Tom Cauquil, winner of the amateur competition, is only 17. He qualified for the final of the Pro contest and managed to pull a remarkable 5th place out of the hat. Thomas Genon (aged 15) was the youngest rider in the competition, and confirmed his potential by bagging 17th place. All riders illustrated their commitment and sporting generosity by attempting previously untested tricks: a 720, double loop and front flop for Rodolphe Legendre, who came in last but certainly sent a shiver through the audience. Extremely impressive for a first event was the quality of the organization. Everyone has promised to return. In line with the list of winners, the top 15 riders have been invited to take part in the second event, which will take place in Avoriaz in July 2009.
