HERE IT IS!

The best BMX event of the year is coming up fast, and here are all the official details. Stay tuned for official Unit videos from the event, as well as a full TV feature on Fuel TV.

We have heard rumours of some big name riders who will be attending, and you will not want to miss it!

Spread the word...

• By Allan H

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Unit team rider Jed Mildon has been busy organizing the annual Taupo Main Street Jam and Rollercoaster Mega Ramp Contest in New Zealand, and both events turned out crazy!

The locals don't often get a chance to ride good contests and set-ups, so when the chance comes along they don't pass up the opportunity. Some big tricks went down, as well as some big crashes.

Aussies Matt Whyatt, Cam Pianta, Andrew Ahumada, Nick Cooper and Shanon Farrugia all made the trip over to NZ for the contest to ride and party with the locals.

Courtesy: Unit Clothing

Edit: Allan Hardy

Filming: Ryan McRae + Paul Gerlich

Thanks: Jed Mildon

Music: 'Black Cloud' by Night Horse

• By Allan H

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Hey all, how’s it goin?

Since the end of the Thirst For Destruction Crusty tour in 2010 where I hurt my back a little by going long while flipping the Harley, I’m glad to say I healed up really quick and riding within a couple of weeks.

I rode my Husqvarnas as much as I could and had a lot of fun on them. It was pretty cool that no-one thought a Husky could be used for freestyle and it brought me a lot of attention, which I love.

After Christmas and New Years (which was a massive four weeks straight) Ben Foster the editor of Freeider MX Magazine called me and asked if I wanted to ride their Kawasaki KX250F project bike for the year. That was really nice of him because now he doesn’t have a bike to ride haha (top bloke).

Now being a Kawi rider I got the opportunity to ride with the Monster Kawasaki Showtime FMX team again, which I couldn’t pass up. Showtime helped kick off my career about six years ago and with them riding the 2011 Kawasakis it looks like it's going to be a good year.

I hadn’t even ridden a Kawi before, then Gary Reid called and asked me to do a show at Mulwala, which is always fun. Brad (The Cuddler) Burch and I had to detour every way we could just to get through all the floods in and around Queensland; a 13-hour trip took us 18 hours, and we were glad that was over.

It was Thursday and raining heavily, I ended up getting 20 minutes to ride the bike and get used to it, which wasn’t really enough time as I was feeling sketchy.

Show day was on Friday and it was straight into it. I was really worried about not being able to do my normal tricks, but it turns out I can do that stuff straight up. Yeeww!

Now I’m in Mildura with Trials Jack doing crazy things on Harley Davidsons. Yesterday we were jumping 80 feet off a 120ft ramp, which is a damn big jump on a Harley! Check out me mad Heelclicker photo.

My next show is at the St Kilda fest in Melbourne and I’m just practising my ass off for the EXFMX tour in Europe that starts in May and goes for three months.

Time to get out of bed and go riding.

Seeeyyupp!
 

• By Simon M

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    It’s on next month in Canberra on February the 25th till the 27th.  

    Come check out the UNIT team and grab an Autograph from you fav Unit rider.

    

• By Ryan G

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Nick Cooper Double peg 

Hope every one had a good weekend!!
Here at Unit we got some of the BMX team in for a photo shoot which will be using for an upcoming team ad and the boys let loose in the photo studio, funny times!! Do not try and get a nice photo standing next to Richo, he has issues..

We also had the chance to shoot Caroline Buchanan who is our Bmx Racer. After the shoot we went for a ride at GC Compound and even taught Caroline 360’s in the foam pit and tire grabs on the resi.

Towards the end of the sesh Nick Cooper fired out this massive wall ride to seal the night.

Richo didn’t make it to the skate park because he had to rush home and clean the house because he got the boot and trying his best to get his bond back hahaha. If anyone has a free apartment on the Gold coast hit Richo up hes looking for a new pad. Good luck

Unit TM
Ryan

Team Photos 

   

Caroline Buchanan  

• By Ryan G

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Queensland FMX and Crusty Demon ace Kain Saul will ride green in 2011 on a Freerider MX Magazine project Kawasaki KX250F

Switching from a short stint on Husqvarn, Saul is excited to make the switch to Kawasaki for the first time in his career while again having the opportunity to once again represent the Showtime FMX outfit in selected outings.

“I had a really good end to 2010, riding Husky’s throughout the Crusty Demons Tour and landing pretty much all of my Harley Davidson back-flip attempts; but the opportunity to be free to ride to ride the KX250F in some of the Showtime FMX shows around Australia is too good to refuse. Showtime really kicked my career off for me a few years ago, so to be able to ride with my buddies there again if the opportunity arises will be a lot of fun and great exposure for me.” Kain Saul said.

Saul, a former Australasian Freestyle Motocross (FMX) Champion in 2008, put his name in lights by becoming the first rider ever to land a back-flip on a 275 kg XR1200 Harley Davidson motorcycle. A stunt which is arguably one of the most dangerous in FMX. Having completed this task throughout the 2010 Crusty Demons ‘Thirst for Destruction’ Tour, he now has his sights set firmly on further improving his vast array of tricks on his new KX250F.

Freerider MX Magazine is Australia’s premier freestyle motocross focused publication. Having seen Saul’s career develop over many years, Editor of Freerider MX Ben Foster, welcomed the opportunity to utilise his talents to help further develop their 2011 project bike for the benefit of readers.

“I’m stoked to have Kain riding our long-term test KX250F. It’ll provide myself and the readers the knowledge of setting up the new Kawasaki for freestyle, focusing on specifics like cutting the bike down, doing suspension and tuning with EFI. In one way I’m bummed, as it was my regular ride, but on the other hand I’m pumped it’s getting put to good use and will be on display for the rest of Australia to see. We’ll continue with the updates in the mag every issue and be checking in on a regular basis to how Kain’s going with the bike. So stay tuned to both the website and mag for all the details.” Ben Foster said.

Saul’s first appearance for 2011 riding his all new green machine, will be at the popular St Kilda Festival, on the foreshore of Melbourne’s Port Phillip Bay, on February 12 and 13.

For more information on Kain Saul go to his website www.kainsaul.com.au.

• By Simon M

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Aussie DH mountain-bike legend Chris Kovarik and his Canadian DH Women's champion fiancee Claire Buchar have launched a brand-new website, Kovarik Racing, as they begin dabbling in coaching clinics, media and track-building, as well as racing and organising events.

From February 5 Chris will be holding coaching and tuition days up in the Gold Coast Hinterland. With prices starting from as little as $110, you'd be a numbskull to not sign up if you want to progress your DH skills and learn from one of Australia's best riders.

Check out the fresh, new website www.kovarikracing.com for news on what this dynamic duo is up to, coaching days, and stacks more.

• By Simon M

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Right now we're frickin' fizzing - the Unit Farm Jam is just a whisker over a month away and the anticipation and excitement levels for the event are already starting to hit boiling point.

Now in its fourth year, the Farm Jam at the bottom of New Zealand's South Island has established itself as one of the world's best two-wheel competitions. After the raging success of the 2010 event, 2011 is set to break all the records yet again.

Rider interest is at an all-time high with some of the world's finest riders expressing their enthusiasm to turn up to this year's event. We're still confirming the rider line-up, but we can guarantee you will be blown away with the quality of riders who are locking themselves in.

The 2011 Unit Farm Jam will be held on February 26 near Winton, New Zealand and features FMX, BMX dirt, MTB dirt and MX contests. Entry at the gate is $25 for adults and $15 for kids aged 5-12.

Keep an eye on www.unitriders.com and www.southernfreeriders.blogspot.com for all further updates and announcements.

• By Simon M

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Unit's two-time 4X World Champion and BMX Olympic hopeful Caroline Buchanan will feature in a series of photos to support the launch of a major Australian women's sports awareness campaign.

Caroline will be joined by a number of high profile women sports stars including swimmers Stephanie Rice and Leisel Jones, high-jumper Petrina Price and aerial skiing Olympic gold medalist Lydia Lassila.

The photos will be featured in the February issue of Women's Health magazine.

Women's Health editor Felicity Harley said, "for too long women's sport had not attracted the support or sponsorship given to its male counterparts."

The Sydney Cricket Ground will help launch the campaign with a red-carpet event on Wednesday the 19th of Jan.

Australia's 16 women supporting Women In Sport campaign.
Emma Snowsill – Triathlon
Leisel Jones – swimming
Dani Samuels – Discus
Pertrina Price – high jump
Sally Pearson – hurdler
Stephanie Rice – swimming
Susie Ramadan – boxing
Casey Dellacqua – tennis
Christie Dawes – wheelchair road racing
Alicia McCormack – water polo
Ellyse Perry – cricket & soccer
Monique Forrestier – rock climbing
Caroline Buchanan – BMX & mountain biking
Shannon McFerran – AFL
Jessie Miley-Dyer – surfing
Peri Campbell-Innes – table tennis
Lydia Lassila – aerial skiing

At the same time, Women's Health Magazine is auctioning the photos from the feature to help raise money for the Queensland flood disaaster. You can bid on the cool Caroline photo pictured at the top by clicking here.

Check out a behind-the-scenes video of the Women In Sport camapaign by clicking here.

• By Simon M

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Red Bull's Dirt Pipe contest is always epic. PHOTO: MARK WATSON/RED BULL PHOTOFILES

Unit BMX's Kiwi shredder Jed Mildon has been invited to compete against Australia's best riders at the Red Bull Dirt Pipe contest next month.

Jed's call-up means he's one of 10 pro riders from across the globe invited to compete at the perfectly sculpted 100% dirt halfpipe.

Red Bull has also put the call out to Australia's next generation of riders, inviting them to put their name forward for the event. Red Bull will select 30 applicants to battle it out in a pre-qualifier to win one of 10 spots to compete against the 10 invited stars that include Aussie machine Corey Bohan, USA's Anthony Napolitan and Big Jed.

Qualifying will be held on February 4, with the finals going down on February 5-6. Keep an eye on unitriders.com for more updates as they come to hand.

Invited riders:
• Alejandro Caro, Columbia
• Anthony Napolitan, USA
• Corey Bohan, Australia
• Kye Forte, UK
• Dave Dillewaard, Australia / USA
• Josh Stead, Australian / USA
• Jed Mildon, New Zealand
• Brendan Jones, Australia
• Luke Parslow, Australia / USA
• Clint Bensley, Australia
 

• By Simon M

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When bobcats aren't available, use whatever means necessary to get the jumps looking trick...even if it is old mate's hatchback.

The past few weeks have been awesome! The best way to recover from an injury is to get away from it all and get some relaxing time in. Well that's exactly what I did over New Years.

I went up to the Hawkesbury River and spent nearly two weeks up there fishing and relaxing on the nice river. We got into some great fish up there and I came back to Canberra ready to dig my butt off and get ready for the upcoming Hillside Dirt Jam!

We haven't had much summer this year; all that's been going on is rain, rain, and more rain! The motivation to go out and dig hasn't been very high, but Allan from Unit called me up and said he was coming to town to film. He was like, “get out of the boat, stop fishing and get the yard running!”

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing this week! My mate Tom, who lives up the street, has been here all week shovelling and packing the yard to get it ready for the boys to come this week.

We finally finished the main line on Friday, which is good. Everything is done - all we have left to do is complete the big-dog trick set take-off. It got owned over the winter and has collapsed into a pile of rubble.

Now the yard is running and there is less than one month until the jam on February 12. I have a lot of work to do, but this year’s jam is going to be off the hook.

So make sure you keep Feb 12 free and come and check it out. Stay tuned for more updates soon - there will be a lot of action going on in the yard over the next few weeks. Cheers!

Cam.


Fishing on the Hawkesbury River over New Years was an awesome time. Old mate mud-crab wasn't quite as stoked on it.
 

• By Simon M

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It’s been a while since my last post, but I will try and give a run-down of what’s been happening down this way.

I have been kept super-busy going on trips for both Unit and Pilgrim. In the last four weeks I have been in Sydney, Canberra, New Zealand and Gold Coast just for team trips and it’s been a ball!

We headed over to New Zealand to ride Jed Mildon’s crazy mega-box jump set-up and I don't think I have ever been more impressed by the set-up or the level of the riding from the Kiwi guys. It was good to be able to hang out for about a week and get to see some sights over there, as every other time
I’ve been there it’s felt like a whirlwind trip. It was cool to chill with Jed and have him take us to the local spots. I can't wait to head back there in February.

Next up we had the Unit houseboat party… and I cannot even begin to explain this party. It was such a great time. Just keep a look out for the photos and videos that I'm sure will surface soon enough. Then you’ll understand, haha.

New Years came around too quick for me; I don't know even where the year went. But my mate had organised a houseboat up in Mildura for a few days over New Years. Not much riding was done, but damn we had a good time! It was a great way to wrap up the year.

This year is quickly filling up with lots of events and I can't wait to be busy and on the road again. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Cheers, guys, and I hope everyone has a good start to 2011!

• By Simon M

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Unit's #1 FMX athlete Levi Sherwood has been nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards following a ballot by the world's sports media.

Kiwi MX website BikesportNZ.com reports Sherwood has been nominated for the Action Sportsperson Of the Year Award, along with the likes of BMX legend Jamie Bestwick, surfing legends Kelly Slater and Steph Gilmore, and snowboarding sensation Shaun White.

BikesportNZ explains 46 of the world's greatest sportspeople vote for their favourite nominees, with the winners announced at a televised awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Monday February 7.

Congratulations, Levi, and we wish you the best of luck!

 

• By Simon M

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International FMX star Mat Rebeaud teamed up with Unit Clothing to develop his personal MX foot peg belt buckle idea, which is available now online at www.unitriders.com

Unit caught up with Mat in his home country of Switzerland to talk about why he chose the belt buckle for his signature product. Mat also gives us an idea of what it is like to grow up and ride so far away from the mainstream motocross countries.

To check out Mat's signature belt buckle go HERE

Video producer: Allan Hardy
Filming: Guido Perrini
Music: Iggy Chop + My Fiction

• By Allan H

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Dane Searls has proven himself as one of the world's best big dirt jump riders. In his quest to push himself and BMX dirt jumping further, Dane has teamed up with Unit Clothing to develop the Giants Of Dirt project.

The construction and first ride took place in August, at Matt Schubring's Boonah property, located in Australia. The set up was totally untested, and Dane took a massive slam in his attempt to clear the whole set-up. He walked away and immediately began planning another attempt.

After months of bad weather, Dane headed back out to the massive jumps, and worked along side Matt Schubring to bring the jumps up to standard and ready to ride. Part 2 of the Giants Of Dirt project documents Dane's next big attempt!

Film + Edit: Allan Hardy

Additional Filming: Russell Brothers Films

Music: Lavs Lab, Bliss N Eso & The Bronx

Steel materials courtesy Orrcon Steel

Construction and location courtesy Matt Schubring

• By Allan H

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With a new USA office based in San Clemente, California and many new retailers coming on board, the young Australian brand is making its presence felt globally.

In line with this expansion Unit is pleased to announce the signing of Ryan Guettler as its bmx team manager and athlete.

"We've known Ryan for many years and have watched his career blossom from riding the local Beenleigh skatepark to travelling overseas and getting to the top of the sport," says Unit Founding Director Paul Everest "He has been an inspiration to so many young riders."

"In many ways Ryan's story is Unit's story, having been founded in a Gold Coast garage with $600, climbing to the top of the Australian action sports industry in five years and now setting its sights on the USA market."

"This is why we felt Ryan was a perfect fit for this role."

Guettler says he's looking forward to joining the team after parting ways with Alpinestars.

"I've always taken great pride in caring for riders when they come stay at my house, whether it's in Greenville or back home in Australia," he says.

"This is why I believe I would make a great TM/Pro Rider for Unit in 2011."

"I am parting ways with Alpinestar s after 6 years of great times to take this amazing opportunity."

"I look forward to helping out the team riders and making Unit grow even bigger in 2011 ," says Guettler.

• By Allan H

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