New Riders.  New Location.  New Discipline.

Plenty of old guys! A few big names missing, and a few big surprises as well!

You can read all of these points as well on the blog here: https://ridersloungepodcast.com/2021/06/25/x-games-invite-fmx-moto/

Here is the full list of Moto / FMX riders for this years event, which will be probably the most ‘unique’ X Games ever!

X Games Moto X Best Trick

• Luc Ackermann
• Rob Adelberg
• Jayo Archer
• Harry Bink
• David Rinaldo
• Josh Sheehan
• Jackson Strong

X Games Moto X Freestyle

• Luc Ackermann
• Rob Adelberg
• Harry Bink
• Taka Higashino
• Ben Richards
• David Rinaldo
• Josh Sheehan
• Jackson Strong

X Games Moto X Best Whip

• Tyler Bereman
• Corey Creed
• Vicki Golden
• Axell Hodges
• Jarryd McNeil
• Tom Parsons
• Colby Raha
• Josh Sheehan
• Genki Watanabe

X Games Moto X Quarter Pipe High Air

• Tyler Bereman
• Corey Creed
• Axell Hodges
• Jarryd McNeil
• Tom Parsons
• Colby Raha

X Games Moto X 110’s

• Tyler Bereman
• Pat Casey
• Vicki Golden
• Axell Hodges
• Jarryd McNeil
• Colby Raha
• Jeremy Stenberg

A few stand-outs from the Invite list:

1. Where is Tom Pages?
2. Jayo Archer is in!  Will he Triple Flip?
3. Where is Pat Bowden‘s name?
4. Young blood – Ben Richards is invited!
5. Only 7 names for Best Trick?  Who will be the final rider announcement?
6. Where’s Clinton Moore?
7. A lot of Aussies… but will they get out of Australia due to Covid-19 restrictions?
8. No Adam Jones – or any Americans in FMX or Best Trick
9. Twitch is back!  And in a new discipline.  110’s
10. Where will it be held?
11. Only 2 Euro’s and 2 from Asia.
12. Not many places to fill.

Also, thank you to John for finding the list before it was official!  Nice sleuthing mate!

Thank you to Rothaus Brewery from Germany for their unbelievable Tannenzaepfle Range of Beers and Alcohol-free beers for this show. If you want to find a Tannenzaepfle near you, here’s some helpful links!

If you can’t find it, let me know, let’s see if we can spread the German Beer Love around the world!

Australia

USA – St. Killian

Germany

France

The post X Games invitations released! FMX / Moto Summer 2021 : FMX News first appeared on Riders Lounge Podcast.

We have the full list of invited riders for 2021 X Games Moto / FMX, and there are some surprises, but also on the other hand, no surprises.

But that is what has created some heated debate already, with Adam Jones needing to turn off his comments on one of his Instagram posts! Post is down below if you want to see what Adam said!

I’ve been sitting on this news for a few days, after one of our regular listener’s, let’s call him ‘John’ managed to find the secret list before it was officially released (even though publicly available). But, decided it was better to wait until the official press was made, so now it’s live, let’s go!

July 14 – 18

X Games Moto X Best Trick

• Luc Ackermann
• Rob Adelberg
• Jayo Archer
• Harry Bink
• David Rinaldo
• Josh Sheehan
• Jackson Strong

X Games Moto X Freestyle

• Luc Ackermann
• Rob Adelberg
• Harry Bink
• Taka Higashino
• Ben Richards
• David Rinaldo
• Josh Sheehan
• Jackson Strong

X Games Moto X Best Whip

• Tyler Bereman
• Corey Creed
• Vicki Golden
• Axell Hodges
• Jarryd McNeil
• Tom Parsons
• Colby Raha
• Josh Sheehan
• Genki Watanabe

X Games Moto X Quarter Pipe High Air

• Tyler Bereman
• Corey Creed
• Axell Hodges
• Jarryd McNeil
• Tom Parsons
• Colby Raha

X Games Moto X 110’s

• Tyler Bereman
• Pat Casey
• Vicki Golden
• Axell Hodges
• Jarryd McNeil
• Colby Raha
• Jeremy Stenberg

Click any of the links above on each rider for their Podcast Interview on Riders Lounge Podcast and choose your favourite podcast player.

For the full list of X Games Invites for all sports of 2021 X Games – check them out here: http://www.xgames.com/events/2021/summer/invitedathletes/

Ok, so there are a few thoughts which I think we’ll go into deeper in another Blog Post. But there are some suprises, and no surprises.

1st surprise… where is Tom Pages?

2nd surprise – Jayo Archer added to the Best Trick list!

Well – this could get interesting!

We know from the podcast that he is pulling out new Double Backflip combos like the Cordova and that was a few months back now.

What else has he been working on?

Plus, you know.. the big one. The Triple? I don’t know if they have the right ramp set up there, if he’s ready to take it dirt yet… that’s a big question mark. But knowing how focused Jayo is, I’m not ruling anything out, but on the other hand, I can’t wait to see him on the world stage and throwing down.

You can listen to his full story about learning new Double Flip combos and the Triple Flip here:

3rd surprise – where is Pat Bowden’s name?

4th surprise – Stoked to see Ben Richards name added to Freestyle!!

The young Aussie ripper is one to look out for. He has certainly, hopped, skipped and jumped his way past a lot of big names to cement his spot at X Games

5th surprise – Only 7 names listed in Best Trick.

Who will be the last name added? Tom Pages? Pat Bowden? Clinton Moore? Someone new? Someone old?

6th Surprise – Where’s Clinton Moore?

I know this is all Dribbles wants. He wants that X Games Gold Medal. He’s had the 720 on lock before, since before 2012. He has even bigger tricks he’s working on like the Bike Flip over 75ft. Is he not ready and decided to reel it in?

7th… Not a surprise – A lot of Aussies. Will they even make it?

Like most years, Australian’s fill the invite list which is freaking cool as an Aussie. I’m so damn pumped to see my fellow FMX riders make it so damn far. And there’s many reasons why that has happened, but that’s for another podcast!

My thoughts are though… will all of these Aussies get a free pass to leave Australia due to Covid-19?

If you don’t know the Australian system, the borders were closed hard from the very start – and it is quite difficult for anyone to get in or out since Covid started.

Hopefully though, it should be fairly smooth sailing for the exemptions.

8th… Point – Adam Jones. No Americans in Freestyle or Best Trick.

What can Adam Jones do, to get an invite in Freestyle? Here is what he said about it… Adam brought up some points in his Instagram Post, where the Trolling started and he had to turn off the comments. Have a read and see what you think. Comment below, I’d be stoked to hear what your thoughts are!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Adam Jones (@adamjones760)

9th Surprise – Twitch is Back – 110’s

Again, one of the legends of FMX is back at X Games, this time in the new category for Moto – 110’s.

Obviously Twitch has been pretty busy on the 110’s, so it’s a different way to see him back in competition at X Games.

10th Surprise – Where will it be held?

Riders training facilities!

For FMX – it’s all from Axell Hodges’ place.

Text below is from from www.xgames.com press.

“Slayground”
Growing up just outside the surf and skate mecca of Encinitas, California, X Games Moto X medalist Axell Hodges’ “Slayground” originated at his childhood home. Though the property has always included a racetrack, Hodges’ Slayground is now a full compound complete with steep turns, quarterpipes, kicker ramps, wallrides, manual pads and massive dirt jumps. The third and latest installment of Hodges’ Slayground video part series was filmed entirely at the compound. Slayground will play host to Moto X Best Trick, Best Whip, Freestyle, QuarterPipe High Air and a new 110s racing discipline.

11th Surprise – Only 2 Euros and 2 from Asia.

David Rinaldo from France who created history by landing the first ever Body Varial in a Back Flip, the Malakai and taking X Games Gold in Best Trick is naturally returning.
Luc Ackermann from Germany, the youngest ever World Champion, who won the 2019 NIGHT of the JUMPs world championship has been given a shot at X as well!.

Taka Higashino from Japan is in Freestyle, and;
Genki Watanabe (or Wanky) also from Japan is in Best Whip.

Someone I’ve been watching as of late and who I suggested earlier for Quarter Pipe would have been Guillem Navas from Spain. He’s training his arse off going to the moon. There’s only 6 places for QP High Air, it could be a TV timeslot issue, or maybe they’re going to add 2 more places? If they do, surely Navas Petit as he’s known on IG would be the next in line.

12th … Point? There’s only so many spots available…

While there are interesting tidbits here and there… there are only so many spots available, and there’s so many damn good riders in the world who could fill those spots.

Either way, I’m just stoked to see X Games back after a hiatus and can’t wait to see the next group of riders throw down and create history!

Forty8.com also brought up a very valid question: Invite or Qualify? What do you think?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FORTY8.com | Freestyle MX Mag (@forty8mag)

The post X Games Invite List for FMX / Moto has been released! first appeared on Riders Lounge Podcast.

“I’m at the point where I could take it or leave it”

Pat Bowden breaks down his thoughts on energy drink sponsors, from the position of an athlete who arguably should have been picked up by Red Bull, Monster Energy or Rockstar a very long time ago. 

Before Pat even took Freestyle Motocross seriously, he knew he was destined for big things, and had already emailed Red Bull simply to introduce himself.  Not ask for sponsorship, but to let them know to keep their eyes open on what he plans to do in the future.

Pat always felt Red Bull was the company to help the best riders realise their dreams.  And after winning Nitro World Games twice, standing on the podium at the FMX World Championships at NIGHT of the JUMPs, riding X Games in Sydney and being one of the most stylish riders in the world with a bag of tricks not many of the very elite could even possess – he still is rolling with minimal support from the industry compared to other riders who have a laundry list of sponsors longer than your arm.

With no support, and feeling heartbroken and disappointed that his dedication and work ethic didn’t produce the results he hoped for, Pat realised that maybe this is the path he needs to take.

Maybe with an Energy Drink partner, Pat may never have pushed himself to learn bigger and crazier tricks?  Maybe without the support, he would never have backed himself and continued to focus on his style to impress the judges more, to get the extra points and hopefully display it to a sponsor for some support.

And maybe he wouldn’t have created his own long term plan of content creation with a tight-knit group which we will hopefully start to see coming to light very soon.

As Pat says in the Riders Lounge Podcast, he is not owned by anyone.  He has 100% freedom to do what he wants. 

Pat can create any stunt he feels comfortable with and can accept an invitation to any event despite which energy drink brand might have a title sponsorship (which sometimes sees competing branded athletes completely disregarded).

An example Pat gave is Evel Knievel! 

Evel didn’t jump Caeser’s Palace with a Coca-Cola helmet. 

Knievel did everything on his own.  He owned his stunts and he owned his brand. 

Evel Knievel became a brand the rest of the world would continue to remember today.

A key lesson can be learned by Pat Bowden’s sheer doggedness to prove to potential energy drink sponsors that he is ‘good enough’.  When actually, he has proven he doesn’t even need their support and has potentially shown he is the rider outside of the box which other riders wish to emulate.

Knowing where Pat’s mind is going, I would have to say that would be the most valuable asset to any energy drink sponsor right now:

* To find the rider who stands out

* Who has the crazy ideas

* Has the balls to attempt his own ideas

* And the skill to pull land new tricks or stunts* The results to back it all up

I guess the challenge is thrown down.  Which brand will come on board to actually help Pat and not hinder those dreams. 

Time will tell.

Thank you to Rothaus Brewery for their support of the Riders Lounge Podcast with the Tannenzaepfle alcohol free beer, brewed in the Black Forest region of Germany for keeping the dust down while we chat away in these podcasts.

The post “I don’t have anyone owning me, I have 100% freedom” – Pat Bowden on energy drink sponsors first appeared on Riders Lounge Podcast.

In 2017, Pat Bowden was to compete on one of the biggest stages in Freestyle Motocross. Nitro World Games, hosted by Travis Pastrana.

All the Fans. All the Television and Social Media surrounding it.

And Pat Bowden had 0 sponsors on his bike. Zero. Nada. Zilch.

The only words that could be seen, were on his tank and radiator shrouds saying “SEND IT” In my mind, that was a huge F*ck You to the world of branding and sponsorships. It turns out I was wrong. Well, maybe not 100% wrong, it happened by accident.

But there is an underlying feeling from Pat which goes along with this point in time that was perhaps overlooked by some.

But not missed by those in the know.

And in the end, the point is very relevant.

“Unless you want to pay me what I want, I’m not going to put a massive a logo on my bike”

The reason I wanted to highlight this part of the interview from the Riders Lounge Podcast episode with Pat Bowden released in 2021, are the lessons he has learned throughout his career and realising that those big brands that riders all strive for, aren’t always there. And it shouldn’t be the goal.

No matter how good you are. Arguably, Pat is one of the most stylish riders in FMX. Ever. His tricks are as clean as a whistle, and he is also working on and has landed some of the biggest tricks off the biggest ramps.

He is a creative designer, he knows how to create content. Yet, he is still not loaded up with the biggest brands supporting him and making life easier.

On the flip side, what if he had all of those brands? What if Pat had all the support he could want? Maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t have achieved what he has.

And that brings me to the point for 99% of all FMX riders. All Action Sports athletes. Heck, everyone in the world.

You should simply back yourself.

Don’t wait for a sponsor to come knocking. Don’t wait for the recognition from your boss and a bonus for the month. Or whatever it is. Do what you want, and do it well. And you will achieve more than if it’s ever handed to you.

This is Part 1 on a few of the main topics Pat spoke about in the Podcast.

I really encourage everyone to give this one a listen. And really listen. Pat is pretty chilled on it, he kind of speaks about things ‘in passing’, but read between the lines of what he’s saying. And you’ll understand where he’s coming from and why he hit the nail on the head.

Listen here: https://ridersloungepodcast.podlink.to/patbowden

On the other hand, let me know what you think. Was Pat right? Is he missing something? This is only a small section of the overall, but it gives a good insight.

Part 2 coming soon.

The post Was this a massive ‘F*ck you’ statement? No Sponsors, only ‘SEND IT’ on Pat’s bike at Nitro World Games first appeared on Riders Lounge Podcast.

Pat Bowden has only landed one Cali Roll to dirt and it was in Berlin at NIGHT of the JUMPs in 2016. But why only once? And will he need this trick to win the World Championship?

After training for only 5 days at the Lleides compound in Spain, Pat was filming with Aussie Adrenaline to capture their clip ‘Dreaming’ when he decided he would take the Cali Roll to dirt.

Looking back now, Pat feels like he was attempting it too prematurely.

It was unbelievable that he landed it in Berlin, although we were so bummed he landed it and still dislocated his shoulder.

Will Pat ever do this trick again?

Does he need to land a Body Varial to win a World Championship?

Or can he come back with even bigger tricks and skip the varials

The post Why did Pat Bowden only land one Cali Roll to dirt? first appeared on Riders Lounge Podcast.

After years of working on the Double Backflip, Pat Bowden was finally going to take it to dirt (well, steel and timber which hurts even more if you stuff up!)

From learning the Double Flip into foam pits at home, with Travis Pastrana, on Moon Booters, Super kickers and anything else and even getting them dialled on his BigAirBag airbag at home, the big step to doing it to a hard landing is always the hardest thing to do.

Pat’s bike looks pretty trick, with a new custom subframe, small airbox, plastics removed or chopped, and some major jetting changes. All of that helped to bring the Double Backflip around.

He landed it.

And one week later, had one of his worst crashes in his career which put him out for over 12 months!

Listen to the full story of the Double Backflip here:

The post Pat Bowden’s YZ250 Modifications for the Double Backflip first appeared on Riders Lounge Podcast.

I have never created merchandise in my 15 years of riding FMX shows.

I just didn’t feel like anyone would want something that is ‘Steve Sommerfeld’.

1. I’m a nobody
2. I can’t design anything worth printing
3. How egotistical is that!?

However, with the Podcast kicking along pretty well, it has changed my opinion on things because this isn’t about me personally. It’s more like when I was writing for magazines – the podcast is basically bringing fans closer to the athletes they watch. And everyone has their own story.

The idea of Merchandise started from a very basic reasoning – FMX Pro rider from Australia, Nitro World Games winner, Pat Bowden took the time and created a really cool logo for the Riders Lounge Podcast and I wanted to give back, by putting it on a shirt and sending it to him.

I would much rather have a design that I’m happy to wear which is based on something worthwhile!

But what I would think is cool, is to try relate the merchandise on this podcast, directly around Podcast guests, or the industry at large.

So after interviewing Levi Sherwood, and talking about his ramp plans for the new Next Gen ramp, I just remembered back to when FreeriderMX Magazine had the ‘Life starts at 80ft’ T-shirt. If you are old enough to remember it… it was like the bee’s knee’s and defined Australian FMX.

Levi was pumped on it, and the dimensions are 100% correct!

If you like using real dimensions – you can also download them here!

And then something even cooler happened!

I received the best Fan Mail I’ve had personally. But again, I don’t like the idea of it being about me… so it’s for the Riders Lounge Podcast as the guy who hand drew this image was hitting me up through the IG page.

Thank you to Agung Santoso from Indonesia! This is unreal. His skill with a 2B Pencil is inspiring! Much better than my stick figures!

Some of the best memories I’ve had from my career were from riding in Indonesia, so to receive this from a local Indonesian who loves FMX – it just seemed so simple to say ‘let’s share this with the world!’

Actually Indonesia holds very close to Invert Management’s DNA and eventually the Riders Lounge Podcast. It was there, when talking with Josh Sheehan and Clinton Moore that we decided to begin Invert Management where I was helping the boys to further their careers in FMX, since way back in 2009!

Global Shipping

Because the Riders Lounge Podcast is listened too from all continents on earth (perhaps even Antarctica??) it made sense to find a way to print the Merchandise and have it shipped simply and easily globally.

You can find these designs and more coming in the very near future here

RIDERS LOUNGE MERCH STORE

Thank you

If you like the designs where there is actually a story behind it and not just something to look cool… then I hope you enjoy it!

If it isn’t your style, I completely get it! Let me know what you’d like to see!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoy all of the guests on here and any designs that may go along with them in the future!

Steve

The post Merch that actually means something to me first appeared on Riders Lounge Podcast.