High up in the Italian mountains the notorious fortress “Il Castello“ readily awaits elite freeride mountain bikers, with its creative and unique obstacles. Ben Byers (CAN) and Antoni Villoni (FRA) delivered exceptional edits for the “Wanna be a Knight” video contest earning themselves a coveted spot at the Suzuki Nine Knights MTB. This year’s team-battle royal is set to take on epic proportions from the 16th to the 21st of June 2014 on Mottolino Fun Mountain in Livigno. Prepare yourself for banger action!
Event teaser
Livigno/Italy, June 10th 2014 – With the “Wanna be a Knight” video contest wrapped up the riders list is complete. Switching things up this year the riders, photographers and film makers will compete in national teams. Villoni will be riding side by side with his countrymen Antoine Bizet, Yannick Granieri and Pierre Edouard Ferry in Team France, while Byers will join Geoff Gulevich (CAN), Sam Pilgrim (GBR) and Szymon Godziek (POL) in Team Global. Representing Team Sweden will be by Martin Söderström, Anton Thelander and Linus Sjöholm, while Andi Wittmann (GER), Tobi Wrobel (GER), Peter Henke (GER), Niki Leitner (AUT) and Andi Brewi (AUT) make up Team Germany-Austria.
The jury faced a tough task choosing the “Wanna be a Knight” winner out of the 21 talented riders who sent in their videos. Possessing the all-mountain riding finesse needed to charge at Suzuki Nine Knights MTB, Byers and Villoni came out on top with versatile strengths and a bag of tricks on both dirt bikes and big bikes. Their videos speak for themselves!
Ben Byers’ “Wanna be a Knight” video
Antoni Villoni’s “Wanna be a Knight” video
Check out the images of the massive set-up built by the experts of Balzamico Trail Design, which starts off with a 7m drop tower with multiple options, followed by 9m and 12m kickers, with a variety of jump and transfer options. The trail section features several fun and progressive obstacles such as the crossbow and the “World Record” hip, which has been further optimized to once again beat the record. Riders will not only shoot at “Il Castello” this year, but also in the surrounding terrain of the Mottolino/Livigno bike mecca.
The two public days at the Suzuki Nine Knights MTB are a must for all freeride fans! Join us for a sensational sunset shoot on June 19th starting at 6 pm with BBQ and pumping music, as well as, the Contest Day on Saturday, June 21st where the riders will engage in a fierce battle.
Riders list:
Geoff Gulevich (CAN)
Ben Byers (CAN)
Sam Pilgrim (GBR)
Szymon Godziek (POL)
Martin Söderström (SWE)
Anton Thelander (SWE)
Linus Sjöholm (SWE)
Andi Wittmann (GER)
Tobi Wrobel (GER)
Peter Henke (GER)
Niki Leitner (AUT)
Andi Brewi (AUT)
Antoine Bizet (FRA)
Yannick Granieri (FRA)
Pierre Edouard Ferry (FRA)
Antoni Villoni (FRA)
Invitation to the Contest Day:
Toto Testa (ITA)
Diego Caverzasi (ITA)
Filippo Proserpio (ITA)
Patrick Schweika (GER)
Tobi Engelmann (GER)
Jonas Janssen (GER)
Nicholi Rogatkin (USA)
All video submissions can be viewed on nineknightsmtb.com/wanna-be-a-knight-athletesubmission/. More information on nineknightsmtb.com, facebook.com/nineknights and join us on Instagram @nineknights for updates and to follow the action as it unfolds.
