Freeride Mountain Biking World Series kicks off in Vienna. 8 April 2010

Unlike other action sports, freeride mountain biking has never had its own world series like snowboarding or surfing. All that is about to change, as the sport which includes Big Mountain, Slopestyle and Dirt Jump contests has just taken a huge step forwards with the launch of the FMB World Tour. Thanks to the advisory board that includes Southampton based rider Grant Fielder, history will be made on Saturday 10 April when the first World Tour event is held in Vienna, Austria.

Grant explained:

“It is such an exciting time for our sport and I have always been passionate about the need for a World Series. I have been riding at the big events for about 7 years and now I can use my experience to help the development of the world tour.

“My role on the Advisory board is to get feedback from all the riders and to give the thumbs up really. I am representing the riders from across Europe, which is such a big honour and Aaron Chase and Darren Berrecloth represent America and Canada.”

There are 10 events in the first World Tour series, including events in France, Germany, America, Canada and the UK. The climax to the series will be the Red Bull Rampage event in Utah, USA from 30 September. The events are also classified into four categories from Diamond, to Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Grant added:

“When I first had the call to be involved with the World Tour, I was really chuffed. It is a non-profit organisation and it is fantastic to get it off the ground! Hopefully it will grow in the future with more sponsorship money coming into the sport and interest from TV companies around the world. We hope the World Tour can move into Asia one day.

“The overriding objective is that we want a good ranking system for determining the best rider in the world, that is what every sport needs! I hope I will be in contention for sure! The riders will be really fired up; also there is some good prize money at stake.

“I am looking forward to the UK event in the World series, in July. I pushed for BikeRadar Dirt Jump Contest to be part of the tour, which will be fantastic for the sport at home.”

Grant will be riding in Vienna, Austria on Saturday 10 April, keep updated on his progress throughout the season on definitive-sports.com. 

The World Tour 2010 dates are:

10-11 April Vienna Air King, Vienna, Austria
21-24 May Dirt Masters Mongoose Slopestyle, Winterberg, Germany
24-26 June 26TRIX, Leogang, Austria
2-4 July Chatel Mountain Style, Chatel, France
10-11 July BikeRadar Live Invitational Dirt Jump Contest, Kent, UK
15-17 July Claymore Challenge, Highland Mountain Park, USA
22-25 July BIG IN BAVARIA, Munich, Germany
29 July - 1 Aug Crankworx Colorado, Winter Park, USA
7-15 August Kokanee Crankworx, Whistler, Canada
30 Sept - 3 Oct Red Bull Rampage, Virgin, Utah, USA