Park Lines will dazzle
STONERIDGE: GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO RIDE AT A PARK STEEPED IN HISTORY
Following the success of the inaugural event in 2021, the Park Lines BMX Tournament is back! It officially unlocks and takes place at the infamous Stoneridge Skatepark, which has been closed since 2016.
This one last showdown at the Skatepark will see riders from all over the country gather to compete at what used to be their old stamping ground and brings with it a massive amount of excitement to riders who are now able to ride and compete there again.
For the new-age riders, this will be the opportunity to ride the park that has so much history to it, for the first time.
Two notable riders that are preparing to compete in the pro division are the 2021 champion, Vincent Leygonie, and international athlete, Jak Tones from the United Kingdom, who is making his way to South Africa with big hopes of taking the title.
Vincent Leygonie is excited to be competing at Stoneridge again, although preparation has been a struggle with lingering injuries over the past year.
He does have the skills to ride the park like no one else will. Vincent is planning to explore his creative style of riding and unlocking lines that no other riders are expected to do, all while including an array of big tricks.
He states: “After not being able to ride the park over the past six years, I’m excited to see how far my progression has come and how it translates into how I ride the park.
“My goal is to obviously win and defend my title. I just want to have fun with my fellow local and international riders, unlock some crazy lines and blow some minds.”
Twenty-five-year-old Jak Tones is the first international rider set to compete at the Park Lines event and has a host of accolades to his name, most notably being crowned the 2016 IBM XFF champion and multiple live TV performances.
When asked about his thoughts on coming to South Africa to compete, Jak said: “I honestly cannot wait! A bunch of the local riders have already reached out to me to come have a session at their local parks while I’m there. The Park Lines course looks super fun with loads of potential to get creative.”
Park Lines organiser, Ryan van der Spuy says: “It is a huge milestone for us to be able to host this year’s Park Lines at the Stoneridge Skate Park, a venue that has seen some of the world’s best BMX riders showcase their talent. Now we offer that opportunity to our current generation of riders in an exciting day filled with BMX action.”
Competitors will be pitted against each other in qualifying rounds where judges will be looking for use-of-park, variation, amplitude, style and tricks to make their selection of riders advancing into the finals. Competitors will be competing for their share of the R35 000 prize purse, a Garmin Instinct 2 smart watch, and
Dickies merchandise, along with other prizes from the official event partners. In the amateur division, there is a new Mongoose BMX and further prizes up for grabs.
The tournament will conclude with the Best Trick competition open to all competing riders, and the winner will take home a GoPro Hero10.