Swatch Rocket Air – Genon springt zum Sieg
The atmosphere in the Thun ice rink is fantastic. Around 9,000 spectators drive the riders to perform breathtaking tricks on the newly designed course. Because the Swatch Rocket Air is all about winning valuable points for the Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour (FMB) and hefty prize money. Belgian Tomas Genon is the winner of this event. He performs a "360 Barspin" from the start drop, followed by a huge "360 Tabletop" on the Big Air and an "Opposite 360" on the step-up. Genon doesn't let up and rides on with a high "Frontflip No-Hand", adds a "270 Talewhip" on the corner jump and concludes his winning run with a "Superman Indian" on the quarterpipe.
Expectations are high for last year's winner Sam Pilgrim. The rider, who has just joined the Swatch Pro Team, wants to shine at his new sponsor's event. Pilgrim wowed the roaring crowd with his perfectly styled superflip, among other things. In the end, he finishes in second place. The smart Brit is just two points short of victory. Nevertheless, he goes home with a smile on his face: "It's a pleasure to come to Thun every year. The atmosphere is fantastic and drives you to give your best."
Tomas Zejda from the Czech Republic jumps into third place. However, his jumps were no less impressive than Sam Pilgrim's and he impressed the jury with a clean "double talewhip", for example.
This year's edition of the Swatch Rocket Air is a complete success. Both the organizers and the sponsors can look back with enthusiasm on an event that was successful in all areas. The event is growing steadily, attracting even more spectators to the Thun ice rink than last year. They also have the opportunity to be active at Rocket Air. Bike races for kids, a pump track and a small freestyle course will delight younger visitors in particular and ensure plenty of smiling faces at Switzerland's biggest dirt jump event. Jérome Hunziker, organizer and part of the Flying Metal Crew, gave a positive summary on Saturday evening: "The event was able to take place in good weather, not least thanks to over 200 volunteers. The standard increases year after year and it is always a real pleasure to see the enthusiasm of both the riders and the spectators. There is no better way to say thank you."
