From left Kyle Baldock, Andreu Lacondeguy, Nick Franklin, three UNIT riders who dominated Farm Jam 2013. Photo: Nichola Pescetto.

THREE RIDERS FROM three different countries stood on the top step of the podium after an incredible day of riding at the 2013 NZ Farm Jam on Saturday. UNIT BMX rider Kyle Baldock, Australia, UNIT MTB rider Andreu Lacondeguy, Spain, and UNIT FMX rider Nick Franklin, New Zealand all walked away with top honours, in a day that saw every aspect of the iconic action-sports event elevate to a whole new level.

In front of a vocal, 2000-strong crowd, Baldock went blow-for-blow with the likes of fellow Australians Luke Parslow, Danny Campbell, Ryan Lloyd and American legend Anthony Napolitan through the flowing dirt-jump lines. It seemed each time the riders dropped into the trails the level ratcheted up a notch as they threw some of the biggest tricks in the book, climaxing with Baldock stomping a Double Backflip over the biggest jump in the course and a Front-flip Cliffhanger. “I’m so pumped just to be back at the Farm Jam,” Baldock said afterwards. “I had such a great time last year and couldn’t wait to return. Everyone rode so amazing; the level of riding, the atmosphere and the course were spot-on. I love this place.”

Kyle Baldock with a masive 720 over the biggest dirt jump on the Farm Jam course

Tokoroa’s Nick Franklin returned to the Frew Farm for his third crack at the Farm Jam FMX title and finally emerged victorious over the revamped contest. With 50 per cent of the riders’ scores accumulated at a media-only freeride session on Friday, Franklin finished second to Australia’s Matt Schubring on the natural terrain, then dominated the Farm Jam FMX course to claim his first Farm Jam crown.

Schubring was forced to sit out the FMX contest after injuring his hand while returning from the freeriding comp and lost his chance of victory as a result. “It feels really satisfying to win my first Farm Jam after so many attempts,” Franklin says. “I’ve had my fair share of bad luck here over the years, and even though this was my first contest on a 450cc bike, I felt comfortable enough to push it a bit more. I couldn’t be happier right now.”

Kiwi Nick Franklin proved strongest in both the freeride and FMX contests

In the mountainbike contest, Spanish freeride legend Andreu Lacondeguy dropped everyone’s jaws with his incredible style and huge trick repertoire. Lacondeguy, who also competed in both the FMX and BMX contests, showed his true class as he toppled defending champion Connor Macfarlane. “The Farm Jam is the most fun I’ve ever had at a contest,” Lacondeguy beamed. “The amount of riding we do is insane and the courses are so sick. I love it here, man. I’m definitely coming back, for sure.”

Andreu Lacondeguy rode three contests in one day and ripped in them all!

Farm Jam organisers Dan and Brett Frew voiced their excitement at the success of the 2013 installment. “I’m certain the riding that the crowd saw today would have to be the highest level that’s ever been shown in New Zealand,” Brett says. “There were so many talented international and local riders and as a result the riding across both BMX and MTB was above and beyond anything I’ve seen before.” “The new freeride FMX contest format was a huge success for the moto guys and added another dimension to what was already a popular competition,” Dan explained. “The FMX riders put on an awesome show at the Jam, too. When 360s get thrown off dirt for the first time ever and riders flip jumps that have never been flipped before, you know the competition is running hot.”

The 2013 Farm Jam event has been the most successful to date, bring on 2014!

For more information and updates about the 2013 NZ Farm Jam and to stay in the loop for the 2014 event, “Like” Southern Freeriders and Farm Jam 2013 on Facebook or visit www.southernfreeriders.blogspot.com

RESULTS: BMX: 1 Kyle Baldock (AUS), 2 Luke Parslow (AUS), 3 Danny Campbell (AUS), 4 Anthony Napolitan (USA), 5 Ryan Lloyd AUS).

FMX: 1 Nick Franklin (NZ), 2 Tyrone Gilks (AUS), 3 Pat Bowden (AUS), 4 Callum Shaw (NZ), 5 Joel Brown (AUS).

MTB: 1 Andreu Lacondeguy (ESP), 2 Connor Macfarlane (NZ), 3 Lewis Jones (NZ), 4 Phil McLean (NZ), 5 Nick Dethridge (NZ).

Farm Jam Gallery

Matt Schubring killed it in the freeride contest, but injured his hand and couldn't take place in the FMX contest.

Kiwi Kelly McGarry crashed executing a 360 in practice and injured his neck, he still came out for the crowd in ran a few lines

UNIT rider Joel Brown stepped up in the FMX contest to claim fifth overall

UNIT rider Matty Lewis rode solid in both contests and learned a lot from his first natural terrain riding experience, he finished eighth overall

UNIT BMX rider Jake Prebble ripping the Farm Jam course

Andreu Lacondeguy showing his skill on the freeride course with a One Handed Superman

Kyle Baldock blew the crowd away at Farm Jam 2013

• By UNIT

---

With his fourth Australian supercross championship in the bag UNIT rider Jay Marmont is now taking a well-deserved rest before he re-focuses on the 2013 season. Jay looks back on the year that saw him struggle with an injury in motocross, face the challenges of adapting to a new team, to coming out on top in supercross.

Congratulations on winning the 2012 Australian Supercross Championship Jay, it must have been a big relief for you after a tough motocross season: Yeah it was awesome to win the supercross title, both for me personally and for the Monster Energy Kawasaki team, especially since we didn’t even make the podium in motocross. It was good to be so dominating in supercross from the first round and I feel we deserved the championship.


Jay wrapped up his fourth Australian Supercross Championship at the final round in Newcastle. Photo: ShaneRicePhotography

What affect did Chad Reed have on you coming into the series at round two: No affect really as the first round went really well for me winning my heat race and final. Then the second round at Phillip Island I was second best to Chad, the third was tougher in the mud and I finished fourth, and the final I just did what I had to do to win the championship. I just focused on my own program and didn’t worry about anyone else.

You joined the Monster Energy Kawasaki Team this year after being with the CDR Yamaha Team for many years, how has that move worked out for you: I was with Craig Dack for a long time and was basically in my comfort zone with the team and bike that we developed to my exact liking over the years, so changing over to Kawasaki and a new team there was a lot to learn and get used to. At first the set-up wasn’t that great to be honest, but Troy Carroll and the team worked really hard and by the time supercross came around everything worked out really well. I’m really looking forward to 2013 as I think it’s going to be awesome for us after the momentum we built during the supercoss series.

Jay felt more comfortable right away on the 2013 Kawasaki KX450F. Photo: ShaneRicePhotography 

You carried a knee injury through the motocross series, how is that now: I’m feeling good now and am back to my normal training schedule, which feels positive because it was playing on my mind so much. To be honest once I made the switch from the 2012 KX450F to the 2013 model I felt really comfortable on the bike straight away, and I just want to keep that momentum going.

Are you hungrier than ever to win the 2013 motocross title: Yeah for sure, but it’s going to be tough with the likes of Ben Townley, who was super-fast at the start of the season, and Todd Waters, who was the unsung hero this year, plus Matt Moss, who is coming back from America. There’ll be a lot of fast guys and my goal is to win, that would be unreal!

Carrying a knee injury throughout the Monster Energy MX Nationals made it tough for Jay to perform at his best. Photo: ShaneRicePhotography  

UNIT is one of your sponsors this year, what are your thoughts on the brand: I love the brand and actually told Troy and the team it’s a sponsor and family I’m really stoked to be a part of. Unit is always raising the bar, and they always have great new designs coming through that are really cool. I like the stuff!

It’s great to have you a part of the UNIT family Jay, enjoy some time off and we look forward to seeing you dominating the motocross season when it kicks off in the new year: Thanks guys, I’ll only have a few weeks off to spend with my family, plus I’ll be helping run a boot camp we do to raise money for charity before heading over to Germany to race a supercross event in January. I don’t like to take too much time off because I work so hard to reach a high level of fitness during the season and it’s hard to get it back if I relax too much. After Germany it will be time to start preparing for the motocross season.

Onwards and upwards for Jay Marmont when 2013 hits. Photo: ShaneRicePhotography 
  

• By Goba

---