Vert Preview
Mat Hoffman, Dave Mirra, Jamie Bestwick, Dennis McCoy and Jay Miron at the same event? These are the five guys everyone wants to beat. Mat Hoffman is legitimately back in his old form, Mirra isn't ever caught slipping, and Jamie Bestwick won Vert gold at Summer X Games in 2000.

The only question here is whether DMC or Miron will break up the winning streaks that Mirra, Hoffman, and Bestwick seem to be sharing. In a field of tough riders known to give up some blood to win a comp like this, I expect DMC or Miron to step it up. "The Canadian Beast" finished third at B3-Lake Havasu and placed first at B3-Louisville in 2000, look for Miron to make his move.

Mirra took the first vert comp of the season in February at the Hoffman CFB series. He won by throwing a variety of tricks no-one had ever seen before. Jamie Bestwick finished in second place at CFB. These guys look like they're ready to play for keeps in 2001.

Hey, forget about the huge names though. With guys like Simon Tibron and John Parker always ready rock the house, you never quite know who's going to step it up and show the legends how the new school does it. Look for some new names on the BMX Vert scene in 2001.

Street preview
This traditionally has been Dave Mirra's event and you can bet he's going to bring his sh$t to B3 in Anaheim. Mirra backflipped his way to the gold in San Francisco last year and looks to be in top form again. However, this isn't exactly the Summer X Games yet and there are a lot of riders who want to take out Dave as the reigning king of BMX street. Dave Osato earned a big win last summer at B3 in Louisville, followed by Jay Miron, over the likes of Mirra, Nolli, Bestwick and others.

The first stop on Mat Hoffman's CFB tour resulted in Rob Darden, Colin Winkelman, and Chad Kagy taking one, two and three a few weekends ago. Darden really took it to the course in some pretty hot and slippery conditions.

This is the great thing about BMX street, you never quite know who's going to show up and kick it. With guys like Mirra, Hoffman, and Bestwick and all the young guys tearing it up lately in CFB, anything can happen.

Flatland preview
One name: Marti Kuppa. Remember it. This is the guy in 2001. Ever since his upset of Trevor Meyer at the Summer X Games last year this guy has been on fire. Definitely look for him to keep tearing it up. Kuppa took first place at Hoffman's CFB round one in February practically blowing the field away. Also look out for Nathan Penonzek and Matt Wilhelm to step it up and give Kuppa a run for his money. Penonzek, Meyer, and Aaron Behneke finished one, two, and three at B3 in Louisville last year and Nathan finished just behind Kuppa at CFB in February. There's a pretty good battle brewing there.

Flatland is definitely an event you don't want to miss. The music is pumping, everybody is grooving, and the riding is incredible. These guys have more balance and style than anyone out there. It's definitely worth checking out.

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