Belgian freestyle motocross rider makes it a hat-trick as he takes home third King of the Whip title at Monte Casino
The event was a huge success, with a sold-out crowd and international recognition, making King of the Whip's position as a premier event in the freestyle motocross calendar set in stone.
Belgian freestyle motocross rider Julian Vanstippen has defended his crown at King of the Whip 2024, claiming his third title in a row. The event, held at Montecasino, saw over 20 top riders compete in the Best Whip and Best Trick contests.
Read more: Fourways motocross rider ready for European challenge after receiving national colours
The competition was fierce, with international riders including Tom Parsons, Pat Bowden, and Genki Watanabe competing against local stars. Bowden took top honours in the Best Trick Right-Side-Up and Upside-Down competitions, showcasing his impressive skills.
“I didn’t even know if I would be riding until two days ago, as I broke my ankle around ten days ago. I just taped my ankle as best as I could before riding, so, going home safe with two medals in the bag feels incredible,” said Bowden.
In the Best Whip final, Vanstippen faced off against Parsons, but ultimately emerged victorious, claiming the Triple Crown. Parsons took second place, with Watanabe claiming third.
“Third time in a row, baby. I’m so stoked and thankful to be back here. The crowd was insane, so, claiming my third King of the Whip title in front of them was a fantastic experience. King of the Whip always puts on such a great event, and I can’t wait to be back next year, battling it out with these amazing riders in front of this crowd,” said Vanstippen.
Also read: King of the Whip competition sees Fourways motocross rider make 23m jump
The event was a huge success, with a sold-out crowd and international recognition. King of the Whip has become a premier event in the freestyle motocross calendar, attracting top riders from around the world.
With two successful and sold-out events at Montecasino, the King of the Whip has the best of South Africa duking it out with the world’s best FMX riders. The event featured a Pit Walk where fans could meet their favorite riders, and food and beverages were on sale throughout the event.
Riders competed for their share of R225 000 in cash prizes, as well as various sponsored prizes from the event’s partners. The competition was judged on style, amplitude, and variation, with the final showdown taking place under the night skies and flashes of pyrotechnics.
The King of the Whip organiser, Ryan van der Spuy, said: “It’s incredible to see the beast of an event King of the Whip has evolved into, attracting huge interest not only locally but internationally too. Following two sold-out events, we are excited to bring fans an elevated and unforgettable experience.”
Follow us on our Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok pages. Join our WhatsApp group for any story ideas you may have.
Related article: World Junior Motocross event due in August 2022