With the Kentucky Derby just two short weeks away, the residents of Louisville were making preparations to drink mint juleps and watch some hardcore horse racing. Included in the pre-derby hysteria, is an event known as the Thunder Over Louisville. It entails massive amounts of naval aircraft exhibiting their prowess and sonic booms over the city of Louisville, followed by the largest fireworks display I've ever witnessed. To be honest, it seems like another excuse for a party, but we all need to have fun and lose our ability to hear every now and then. And oh yeah, nestled into the chaos of the Thunder celebration was the second stop of the B3 Series, including Mat Hoffman's Bicycle Stunt Series. First up was flatland amid Saturday afternoon F-16 fly-overs.

We the People rider Aaron Behnke took third place, his cash winnings were, coincidentally, equal to the amount of money he lost paying taxes just one week earlier. The "Even Steven" of flatland did a completely original mix of front and back wheel links, including a g-turn to backwards rolling half lash straight to pedals.

Nabbing second place was GT rider Trevor Meyer. Trevor, winner of round one in Lake Havasu, did his usual mix of turbine maneuvers with the precision he's known for, along with the osicka spin (a front wheel megaspin).

Landing the first place spot was Trevor's main competition, Dig-It rider Nathan Penonzek. Nathan is a sincerely dedicated rider who went right back to riding after receiving his trophy; and he rides with an unmatched flow on both front and back wheel links, squeezing in more tricks than anyone else in pro flatland. It was a well-deserved win for the trilingual Canadian. Congrats, Nathan!

It's no secret why Trevor Meyer is so good; still riding even after the competition is over.

Following pro flat was the crazy action of pro vert. Vert contests, as of late, are just plain nutty. Riders making the cut to the top ten must be pulling ten-foot airs, doing multiple variation airs and always doing either 540's, 900's or flairs. There's no way around that criteria anymore, and it's doubly reflected in the finals.

Nathan Penonzek hitting a switch on his way to 1st place in Flatland.

Haro rider Dave Mirra took third in the finals, floating no-handed 540's forever, pulling one-handed icepick grinds and barely missing a one-handed tail whip. Grabbing second was the Condor, Mat Hoffman. Mat went for every trick in the book, including a double peg grab 540, a rocket barspin to barspin back to no-footer, a double tail whip and probably the highest 540 I've ever seen, at about 10 to 11 feet out. Calm down Mat. You almost made me fall out of my seat.

Dave Mirra, Invert

And then there was first place, with the best vert contest run I have ever seen. That spot belonged to Schwinn's Jay Miron. Jay did a tail whip 540, a double tail whip, a boomerang air and countless other tricks to the sheer amazement of everyone witnessing his run. People lost their voices from screaming so loud. It was that good. All that's left to say is that Jay is amazing at everything he puts his mind to and his riding was an inspiration to all that witnessed the Thunder of Miron. Thanks, Jay!

On Saturday night , shortly after pro vert, came the fireworks. There was to be no calm before the storm of pro street, the traditional grand finale of the B3 Series, which reared its head on Sunday afternoon.

Look Louisville no hands! Mat Hoffman stretches a no-hander for all of Louisville to see.

Once again, making the cut to the finals is an achievement in itself. The finals were absolutely insane. Highlights included Ruben Alcantara, who went for a tail whip 360 bunnyhop gap along with a tail whip transfer that had to be over a 20-foot gap. Troy McMurray also rode amazing, pulling truckdriver fakies on the B3 wallride, along with a brakeless gay twist. Troy also rode to Lionel Richie and gave his helmet away after taking a nasty digger. Onto the top three we go.

Haro's Bruce Crisman landed in third place, barspinning everything in sight, along with street tough transfers over gaps that others failed to notice. Bruce rode with serious speed and aggression and wasted no time in doing more tricks than anyone else in Pro Street.

Reuben Alcantara, wedge to wedge tabletop 360: After qualifying in 1st place, Reuben went crazy in his first finals run with a ridiculous tailwhip transfer. Unfortunately he hurt his foot and couldn't take his second run.

Once again, Schwinn's Jay Miron made the top three with a second place finish in street. Jay floated a superman seat grab 360 along with tail whip transfers, g-turn transfers and stalled sub box toothpicks like only the Canadian Beast can do.

Not surprisingly in front of Jay was his roommate, riding buddy and Schwinn teammate Dave Osato, who hasn't seen first place cash since way back in the '95 Bicycle Stunt Series. Dave can master any type of riding with ease, but seemed to be conservative after a spleen injury last year. However, at this event he held nothing back. Dave pulled downside icepicks on the B3 wallride, every lip trick known to mini ramp riding and the cleanest alley-oop tail whip ever. He also threw in tech street moves like boomerwhip bunnyhops on the bank and a burly jump to manual atop the jump box. Dave was on and there was no one capable of getting in his way. Way to go, Dave! You ruled Louisville and kept the Thunder rolling for team Schwinn.

Dave Osato, 360 tailwhip nosepick over the spine: The "Hot Guy" put together two outstanding street runs for his second ever pro win.

The commencement of pro street brought yet another round of the Bicycle Stunt Series to a close, which continues next month in St. Petersburg, Florida. If the Thunder of Louisville and the Thunder of Team Schwinn continues, I can guarantee that the next stop will be complete insanity. I just hope that they leave the air show at home. It's hard to ride your bike when sonic booms are knocking you over every two minutes. Nonetheless, check your listings or the follow the TV Schedule link below for B3 showtimes and go ride.

(This story is dedicated to my friend, We The People rider Josh Heino. Josh injured his knee pretty badly on Saturday during street practice, and I just wanted to wish him a speedy recovery. Get well, Josh, and I'll have a Cliff Bar for you next time I see you.)

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