Half time in the 2013 NIGHT of the JUMPs world tour: Following Rounds 5 and 6 of the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship in late June in Basel, the series went into a two-month summer break which lasts until 17th August. That's when the FMX riders resume their NIGHT of the JUMPs campaign in Beijing, the capital city of China. But while the stars of the show are still on holiday, we can look back on the season so far.In the first grand prix tournament of the year, there were a number of firsts to admire and enjoy. Lithuania, the southernmost of the three Baltic States, made its first appearance on the FIM freestyle motocross list of fixtures. Spanish FMX torero Dany Torres made his NIGHT of the JUMPs debut in the World Championship event staged in the capital city of Kaunas. The Red Bull driver put on an amazing show, with NOTJ trick premieres such as his Oxecutioner backflip and Paris Hilton Flip, a performance that was bested only by reigning world champion Remi Bizouard who pulled off a 360, a perfect Cliffhanger Flip and his own version of the Rulerflip. Libor Podmol clinched third place with his underflip combos.The world championship entourage then moved on to Berlin. Fans in the arena and watching the live stream at home were treated to yet another premiere, as Emma McFerran became the first woman rider to grace the international series, performing an immaculate Backflip over the Kicker Ramp. In the final of the second round of the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship, Remi Bizouard delved deep into his bag of tricks to pull out a Ruler Flip and Hart Attack Flip, but the title holder's failure to complete an attempted 360 demoted him to third on the night. The absence of Dany Torres clearly proved an inspiration to David Rinaldo who produced some immense jumps that included triple combos plus his new Heelclicker to Tsunami. In the double-up, the diminutive Frenchman went for a Doublegrap Flip that ended up as a 'mere' Superman Seatgrab. Consequently, he had to settle for the runner-up spot, one point behind Libor Podmol who sealed the win with his LP Special Roll. The Czech rider's victory temporarily installed him as FIM Freestyle MX World Championship leader.The second German Grand Prix turned out to be payback time as the three-way battle between Bizouard, Podmol and Rinaldo raged on. Podmol's execution of his personal 360 variant – the LP Special Roll – in the double-up fell short of perfection and left him back in third. Bizouard, still visibly annoyed by the outcome of the previous day, went straight into his run with a 360 followed by Cliffhanger Flip, Hart Attack Flip and Ruler Flip. But even that was not enough to deny his compatriot the hot seat; Rinaldo performed a series of triple combos that persuaded the judges to award him his first grand prix winner's trophy. But Bizouard at least had the satisfaction of reclaiming second place in the world championship standings.For the fourth world championship event, NIGHT of the JUMPs returned to Poland after a one-year absence. Dany Torres was back in World Championship action, and after qualifying in P1, he looked set to become the fourth winner of the season in as many grand prix events. But the usual NIGHT of the JUMPs suspects – Podmol, Bizouard, Izzo and Rinaldo – were determined to frustrate his ambitions at all costs. First off the blocks in the final was Hannes Ackermann who had qualified with the best run of his career but promptly ruined the occasion for himself with a dead sailor. Brice Izzo did better, showing his Clicker to Superflip combo for the first time. Remi Bizouard's Rulerflip was good enough to get him onto the podium, but he once again had to admit defeat, this time by a slender one-point margin, to David Rinaldo who laid on a trophy-winning display of new triple combos. In the meantime, Libor Podmol advanced to third place and had to sweat it out while the last rider up, Dany Torres, went into his routine. But in his eagerness to impress, the Spanish rider botched the first trick of his run; an untidy landing from his Paris Hilton Flip bumped him down to sixth on the night. This left David Rinaldo to claim his second grand prix victory of the season. NIGHT of the JUMPs in Gdansk had one extra highlight for the fans, as former kickboxing world champion and Polish MP Iwona Guzowska partnered Petr Pilat in a tandem backflip.Next up was the Swiss Grand Prix double bill in Basel's Sankt Jakobshalle arena, a venue that has now hosted the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship on seven occasions. With reigning champion Remi Bizouard ruled out of contention due to injury, the other top riders were determined to seize the initiative. David Rinaldo and Maikel Melero each performed a Double Seatgrab Flip, but almost incredibly, even this trick wasn't enough for a podium on the night. Libor Podmol also failed to finish in the Top Three, as Clinton Moore ventured into the championship fray for the first time this year. Both riders collided with the barrier, but the difference was that Moore jumped straight back on his bike and continued his final run with a 360, a Tsunami Flip and The Volt. This performance was rewarded by the judges with third place. Brice Izzo celebrated a spectacular comeback in Basel with a new triple combo, a Tsunami Flip and an Underflip, plus various take-off and landing tricks. But the Frenchman was ultimately to be thwarted by Dany Torres who secured his maiden World Championship Grand Prix victory with a whirlwind of flips, including Paris Hilton, Oxecutioner and Lazy Backflip.Having moved to the top of the championship table on Day 1 of NIGHT of the JUMPs in Basel, Libor Podmol was keen to consolidate his lead with a win on the Saturday as well. So once again, he dusted off his LP Special Roll, but on this occasion, it would not be enough, as David Rinaldo displaced him from the hot seat with a Double Seatgrab Flip. But Rinaldo's tenure proved equally brief as Brice Izzo went on to pound probably the best run of his career into the dirt. With perfect extensions and the highest levels of difficulty on new tricks such as the Cordova to Superflip or Saranwrap to One-Hand Seatgrab, the Frenchman celebrated his first NIGHT of the JUMPs victory in a long time. With the 2013 FIM Freestyle MX World Championship season now at its halfway point, David Rinaldo leads the way on 98 points. Following two points behind in second position is Libor Podmol. Brice Izzo's triumph in Basel moved him up to third place on 83 points.2013 has witnessed the most exciting first half of any season so far in the history of NIGHT of the JUMPs / FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. In the six grand prix competitions, there have been no fewer than five different winners. The only rider to win twice has been David Rinaldo, which is why he currently tops the standings. During the two-month summer break, the FMX stars will have been further refining their repertoires. Remi Bizouard has by no means missed the boat for the current title campaign, as his damaged shin bone should be healed in time for the restart, so even though he is currently placed fourth in the championship on a score of 72 points, his title defence is still very much alive. Dany Torres, fifth on 64 points, is also in touch with the leading group.The second half of the 2013 FIM Freestyle MX World Championship is due to kick off on the weekend of 17th/18th August with a NIGHT of the JUMPs double bill in Beijing, China.FIM Freestyle MX World ChampionshipsRanking (after 6th contest)1. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 98 points 2. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Yamaha 96 points3. Brice Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 83 points4. Remi Bizouard FRA FFM Kawasaki 72 points 5. Dany Torres ESP RFME KTM 64 points6. Hannes Ackermann GER DMSB KTM 53 points7. Jose Miralles ESP RFME KTM 52 points8. Petr Pilat CZE ACCR KTM 51 points9. Maikel Melero ESP RFME KTM 41 points10. Massimo Bianconcini ITA PZM KTM 39 points11. Kai Haase GER DMSB Suzuki 36 points12. Clinton Moore AUS MA Yamaha 22 points13. Gabriel Villegas CHL FMC KTM 16 points14. Rich Kearns USA AMA Kawasaki 10 points15. Martin Koren CZE ACCR KTM 7 pointsFor more info, images and videos, visit www.NIGHToftheJUMPs.com.
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