King of the Whip 2024 wowed a sold-out crowd at Montecasino, on Saturday, 23 November, with Belgian freestyle motocross (FMX) rider Julian Vanstippen claiming the crown at King of the Whip, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This marks his third title in as many years at Africa’s premier FMX competition.
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The event was presented by LW Mag in association with Ford, Monster Energy, Yamaha, Garmin, Motul, GoPro, Estrella Cerveza and PlayTSOGO.
Over 20 of the best international and local freestyle motocross and motocross riders participated in the Best Whip and two Best Trick competitions, competing for the R225 000 cash prize and various prizes from the official event partners.
Riders included four-time X-Games medalist Vanstippen, Andreu Lacondeguy from Spain, Genki ‘Wanky’ Watanabe from Japan and South Africa’s own Dallan Goldman.
‘When we started King of the Whip seven years ago, it was just an idea to have fun with the local riders, and it has only gone from strength to strength since,’ said Ryan van der Spuy, event organiser.
‘We’re now in our third year at this venue, and in this edition we had seven international riders, which shows the event’s growth locally and internationally,’ Van der Spuy added.
The Best Whip competition started with riders going head-to-head in four qualifying rounds. Judges paid close attention to amplitude, style, and variation when deciding which of the 14 riders would qualify for the semi-finals.
Six more riders were eliminated in the semi-finals, which left only eight to compete in the final round.
Before the King of the Whip could be crowned, the riders had an opportunity to show off their freestyle tricks in the Best Trick Right Side Up and Upside Down competitions.
In the Best Trick Right Side Up competition, each rider had two chances to pull off the best trick that they could. Pat Bowden from Australia claimed victory and was joined on the podium by Watanabe in second and Vanstippen in third.
For the Best Trick Upside Down, riders had three jumps each to stake their claim, with Bowden claiming the title of Best Trick Upside Down. Watanabe came in second place once again, with Goldman being third.
‘It feels awesome as I had no expectations coming here. I didn’t even know if I would be riding until two days ago, as I broke my ankle around 10 days ago,’ said Bowden.
‘Before riding, I taped my ankle as best I could and came here just to have fun. So I couldn’t ask for more than going home safe with two medals in the bag,’ Bowden added.
After the Best Trick contest, all that was left, was the evening’s premier event, namely The Best Whip final. The Best Whip final would see riders performing to the max, with Vanstippen ultimately emerging as the 2024 winner.
Tom Parsons from the US followed him in second place and Watanabe claimed the final podium place. Dalton Venter from South Africa and Goldman would come fourth and fifth place, respectively.
‘I was so stoked to be back here. The crowd was insane, so claiming my third King of the Whip title in front of them was a fantastic experience,’ said Vanstippen.
‘Monster Energy always helps put on such a great event, and I can’t wait to be back next year battling it out with these amazing riders in front of this crowd,’ Vanstippen added.
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Picture: Supplied
