World Sport betting - 1 World Sport betting - 1 World Sport betting - 1
World Sport betting - 3 World Sport betting - 3s World Sport betting - 3
Breaking News
Home » Sports » FMX » Back-to-Back King of the Whip Titles for Julien Vanstippen

Back-to-Back King of the Whip Titles for Julien Vanstippen

King of the Whip 2023 produces yet another FMX spectacle at Montecasino

The 2023 Edition of the King of the Whip – Best Whip Contest, presented by LW Mag in association with Ford, Monster EnergyYamahaGarminMotul, GoPro and Estrella Cerveza wowed a sold out crowd at Montecasino, with Julien Vanstippen securing his second title.

Edgar Torronteras competing at King of the Whip 2023Edgar Torronteras
Julien Vanstippen competing at King of the Whip 2023Julien Vanstippen
Marc Pinyol backflip combo at King of the Whip 2023Marc Pinyol

26 Freestyle Motocross and Motocross athletes from all over the country, including three international riders – Julien Vanstippen (Belgium), Edgar Torronteras (Spain) and Marc Pinyol (Spain) – competed in the Best Whip and Best Trick competitions. 6,000 spectators were treated a day of non-stop action and a showcase of the biggest whips ever seen on African soil.

Ricky Raaff competing at the 2023 King of the WhipRicky Raaff
Stav Orland riding in the King of the Whip contestStav Orland
Dalton Venter riding at the King of the Whip best whip contestDalton Venter

Event organiser Ryan van der Spuy said, “I am incredibly proud of King of the Whip. The event gets bigger and better every year and this wouldn’t be possible without the fans and the riders, which I have huge appreciation for. KOTW has solidified itself as the biggest locally produced Action Sports event in the country and I cannot wait to see what 2024 holds.”

It was all about progression through the Jam Session style qualifying rounds as the riders went bigger and more extreme with each attempt. Judges took amplitude, style and variation into account when making their decision of which 14 riders would qualify through to the semi-finals, that would see them battle it out for a Top 7 spot to advance to the final.

Trent Valsecchi in the King of the Whip Best Whip motocross contestTrent Valsecchi
Julien Vanstippen back to defend his King of the Whip title Julien Vanstippen
Signature No Footer whip by Edgar Torronteras at King of the Whip 2023Edgar Torronteras
Dallan Goldman competing in the 2023 King of the Whip freestyle motocross contestDallan Goldman

As the sun started to set on Montecasino the Freestyle Motocross riders geared up for the Best Trick contest. Marc Pinyol put it all on the line landing the California Roll, his first time to dirt since 2017, to take the win. South Africa’s Dallan Goldman slotted himself into 2nd place with a huge Airplane Indian Air, and Edgar Torronteras rounded off the podium in 3rd with a Saran Wrap to 1 Hand Superman Indian Air to No Hander lander.

Speaking to Marc Pinyol about his win, “I really enjoyed South Africa, Montecasino and the King of the Whip. I’m leaving the country with a great experience, I loved the crowd, they were killing it to, so they deserved me going big. What I really enjoyed to was seeing a lot of riders pushing each other to go big, helping between them and showing a lot of respect and passion. It’s a place I’d love to come back to. The organisation, public, riders and now I can say some friends, I have to give them all a 10.”

Marc Pinyol competing in the King of the Whip Best TrickMarc Pinyol landing the California roll at King of the Whip 2023Marc Pinyol
Dallan Goldman takes 2nd place in the 2023 King of the Whip Best Trick contest Dallan Goldman
Edgar Torronteras placed 3rd in the King of the Whip Best Trick contestEdgar Torronteras
Julien Vanstippen in the Best Trick contest at King of the WhipJulien Vanstippen
Mike Oyston during the Best Trick contest at King of the WhipMike Oyston

Then it was time for highlight of the show, the Best Whip final, that saw Jesse Wright, Dalton Venter, Dallan Goldman, Stav Orland, Matt van Galen, Edgar Torronteras and Julien Vanstippen take to the air. Due to increasing wind levels, the riders and judges opted for a 3-jump per rider final. Insane whips paired with the roars of the crowd made for a hotly contested final as riders went bigger and more inverted with each jump.

“At 43 years old I have been able to fulfil a dream, traveling to South Africa thanks to Ryan, the promoter of this magnificent King of the Whip event,” said Edgar Torronteras. “The experience has been incredible, never before I thought that South Africa was so beautiful, and that there was so much love for motorcycles. The people are friendly and smile, and that is what gives me life. As for the competition, it has been insane, incredible, an organisation of 10, a format that is a pleasure to follow, great riders that I didn’t even know existed, and that has left me with my mouth open when I saw them ride. For my part I have been myself and I have ridden as always, fluid and concise with my technique and I have enjoyed. I assure you more than anything else, finishing in 2nd place keeps my sports career alive and I will give a good place by placing this trophy in my museum. I only think about returning next year to live this beautiful experience again and feel again the love of South Africa.”

Edgar Torronteras with huge whips in the King of the Whip to place in 2ndEdgar Torronteras

The premier division of the evening saw a close battle between Julien Vanstippen and Edgar Torronteras for the top spot of the podium, both throwing their biggest whips of the day on their final jumps. Vanstippen, back to defend his 2022 title, was successful and crowned the 2023 King of the Whip. Torronteras followed close behind in 2nd. Dallan Goldman, retained his record of podiuming at every King of the Whip event by finishing in 3rd place. Jesse Wright finished in 4th place followed by Dalton Venter in 5th.

Jesse Wright competing in the King of the Whip best whip contest Jesse Wright
Dallan Goldman whipping into 3rd place at King of the WhipDallan Goldman
Julien Vanstippen claims back-to-back King of the Whip titles Julien Vanstippen

An elated Julien Vanstippen said, “I love this country, I have so much good experience from last year and this year again so it’s a pleasure to be here. The crowd was insane and all the riders are so good with me so I’m just enjoying my time here. I was ready for it, I’ve been working on my whips during the year. I just enjoyed it and when I enjoy riding I throw down some good whips.”

Burn out time at King of the Whip 2023

King of the Whip 2023 Results

Best Whip
1st – Julien Vanstippen R60,000
2nd – Edgar Torronteras R40,000
3rd – Dallan Goldman R20,000
4th – Jesse Wright R10,000
5th – Dalton Venter R5,000
6th – Stav Orland
7th – Matt van Galan
2023 King of the Whip best Whip Podium

Best Trick
1st – Marc Pinyol R15,000
2nd – Dallan Goldman R7,000
3rd – Edgar Torronteras R3,000
2023 King of the Whip Best Trick Podium

#KingoftheWhip

Photos by Eric Palmer and Grant Mclachlan.

Check Also

Faced with rain, mud, sun and snow, the riders of Swatch Nines MTB 2024 rose to the challenge of an early outbreak of Winter in the Alps. Watch the 26-minute recap documentary here.

Swatch Nines MTB 2024 – Riders on the Storm

Faced with rain, mud, sun and snow, the riders of Swatch Nines MTB 2024 rose ...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *