Not only did this year’s event cheat the ominous threat of bad weather, it also served up some of the best riding on one of the nicest courses that we’ve seen to date.

With Sam Pilgrim taking an early lead in his first run after throwing down a backflip off the step-down, many thought he’d sealed the victory before he’d really begun. Canada’s Brett Rheeder however, had other ideas, going huge on his final run to nail a 94.67 and secure the top spot in his first ever Gold FMB World Tour event. Rheeder is definitely one to watch.

All eyes were on the starting tower, when Brett Rheeder prepared for the last run of the day. Thus only the Canadian could grab the victory from Sam Pilgrim (GBR) who was leading at that stage. And the 20-year-old kept cool: With fantastic trick combinations like flipwhips and opposite flipwhips over the big kickers, he vowed the crowds at the iXS Dirt Masters-Festical in Winterberg and outplayed Sam Pilgrim for a narrow but deserved win at Red Bull Berg Line: “Yeah! This is my first win at a Gold Event of the FMB World Tour. I knew I had to give everything to beat Sam’s run and I’m glad I made it. ”

For Sam Pilgrim, the leader of the FMB World Tour ranking, remained only in second place despite a huge backflip from the starting drop or a flip no-hander over the first kicker. Third place was secured by 18-year old Swede Anton Thelander, who thrilled the crowd with an impressive flatspin over the big kicker. For Anton, who made it to Red Bull Berg Line through a wildcard at Vienna Air King, this is the biggest success of his career.

The field finished as follows:

1. Brett Rheeder – TREK – CAN 94.67
2. Sam Pilgrim – NS BIKES – GBR 93.67
3. Anton Thelander – CANYON – SWE 88.33
4. Thomas Genon – CANYON – BEL 75.67
5. Szymon Godziek – DARTMOOR – POL 73.33
6. Peter Henke – SCOTT – GER 72.00
7. Darren Berrecloth – SPECIALIZED – CAN 68.33
8. Jakub Vencl – ROSE – CZE 59.67
9. Martin Söderström – SPECIALIZED – SWE 53.67
10. Anthony Messere – MORPHEUS – CAN 43.00
11. Tomas Zejda – DARTMOOR – CZE 21.00
12. Cameron Zink – HYPER – US 17.33

And for those who need things slowed down even more, here’s a super-slow motion edit…

Top-12 riders for X Games Munich are confirmed

Red Bull Berg Line was the final chance for riders to gain ranking points in order to qualify for the X Games Munich. For the first time in X Games history, there will be a mountain bike slopestyle contest. From 16 riders at X Games Munich 12 qualify through the 52 weeks seeding list. These are the Top-12 riders who have a guaranteed spot at X Games Munich.

FMB World Tour 52 weeks seeding list:

1             Thomas Genon                BEL

2             Martin Söderström        SWE

3             Brett Rheeder                  CAN

4             Cam McCaul                      USA

5             Kurt Sorge                          CAN

6             Tyler McCaul                     USA

7             Anthony Messere          CAN

8             Sam Pilgrim                        GBR

9             Yannick Granieri              FRA

10           Cameron Zink                   USA

11           Antoine Bizet                    FRA

12           Kelly McGarry                   NZL