MONTPELLIER, FRANCE – Mark Webb (GBR) began his Braun cruZer Tour title defense, winning stage one with an impressive performance at the Nokia FISE festival in Montpellier, France on May 19.
[To see a video titled "The Mark Webb Broadcast," click here. It's incredible.]
Perfect weather and a stunning location on Montpellier's river side brought 20,000 spectators out to see a multitude of events, including the finest display of BMX riding ever seen on the Braun cruZer mini-ramp.
The contest was tightly fought and Webb was forced to bring out his best riding in order to claim the top prize.
Braun cruZer Tour 2006 runner-up and Bulls Spine Jam champion, Ben Wallace (GBR), was second, his smooth riding convincing the judges to place him above Venezuelan Daniel Dhers.
Webb saved his best tricks for last, pulling a flatspin 900 on his last run, before nailing a huge double tailwhip to manual on the sub-box to huge cheers from the crowd.
“I had a good ride,” said defending champion Webb on his final run, “and I’ve been working on (the flatspin 900) trick a lot recently.”
Dhers is currently tearing up the BMX circuit winning the 2006 Dew Tour Park series and LG Action Games, as well as taking bronze at last year’s X-Games park contest.
“I’ve been on the scene a while,” the 22 year-old said, “but the last two years have really worked out for me and I really love that ramp.”
“That guy’s style is like nothing I’ve ever seen,” said Webb on Dhers. “There’s something magic about his riding. At the LG Action Games he killed everyone.”
Flying significantly higher over the ramp than anyone else was Ben Hennon (GBR) who picked up a deserved fourth place, while another Brit Chris Mahoney was fifth after a superb final session.
The results from the Braun cruZer Tour stage one are:
1. Mark Webb (GBR)
2. Ben Wallace (GBR)
3. Daniel Dhers (VEN)
4. Ben Hennon (GBR)
5. Chris Mahoney (GBR)
6. Phil Aller (GBR)
7. Kevin Kalkoff (FRA)
8. Gary Young (USA)
9. Tony Watkinson (GBR)
10. Mark König (DEU)
11. Fabien François (FRA)
12. Barry Kohne (NLD)
Current standings in the Braun cruZer Tour are:
1. Mark Webb (GBR) - 1000 points
2. Ben Wallace (GBR) - 990
3. Daniel Dhers (VEN) - 980
4. Ben Hennon (GBR) - 970
5. Chris Mahoney (GBR) – 960
The Braun cruZer Tour’s remaining stops are:
NASS, BMX, 6-8 July, Somerset (UK)
The final of the Braun cruZer Tour will take place at
Suzuki BMXMasters, BMX, 13-15 July, Cologne (GER).
Riders must register with the organizers of each individual contest.
For more information, videos and photos from the Braun cruZer Tour first stage visit http://www.brauncruzertour.com or http://www.freecaster.tv/bmx
