Sport
BMX history made in Manchester at inaugural Red Bull event
Some genuinely mind-blowing stuff.
Danny Jones -
14th April 2025 
More sporting history was made in Manchester this weekend as a city centre venue saw several world firsts in the realm of BMX as Red Bull kicked off a brand new high-octane event.
The inaugural edition of Red Bull Featured here in the UK saw thousands pile into Manchester Central on Saturday, 12 April, for a day of bike-based athleticism, truly impressive tricks and, in some cases, quite literally death-defying stunts.
Not only did the new event series get off to huge success, the BMX riders taking part also pulled off some truly incredible feats, with not one, not two, but 11 different world-first tricks in the space of just three hours.
For instance, Great Britain’s Kieran Reilly from Newcastle, who finished first overall in the male category, did this frankly ridiculous thing:
What you’ve just seen is called a ‘540 Triple Tailwhip to Bar Spin’ and it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to world-first moves pulled off at the event, with Reilly being joined by several other BMX stars in setting records and making history on the night.
For instance, not only did he pull off a 720 Triple Tailwhip as well – you can see both tricks HERE– but his colleagues managed to hit these:
- Jude Jones – 540 Front Flip Air
- Logan Martin – 540 Flair Downside Tailwhip + 360 Backflip Downside Tailwhip to Barspin (2nd)
- Kenneth Tencio – 360 Backflip Drop-in (3rd in men’s overall score)
- Nick Bruce – Backflip Double Tailwhip to Tailwhip Back
- Natalya Diehm – Allyoop Tyre Grab Flair + No-handed frontflip (2nd in front of Laury Perez)
- Nikita Duccaroz – Flair Turndown
Reilly, still just 23, said of his spectacular performance: “Learning a new trick is the best feeling, and doing something no one has ever done before just tops it. The last trick was one of the scariest I’ve ever done, and to even just leave here healthy is amazing, let alone achieve two world’s first tricks.”
As for American Hannah Roberts, who pulled off an equally impressive world-first with a Backflip Barspin to Tuck No Hander to win the women’s event, she added: “I came into the round and I didn’t know where I sat, and I wanted to end it well.
I’ve been doing the trick for quite some time in training and as I didn’t land my double fire, I wanted to land one world’s first at least. I’m so sore but I’m absolutely pumped. It’s been one of the coolest events as it gives us the opportunity to try all these tricks without the risk of hurting our scores.
The event was absolutely mindblowing.”
It was quite literally a showcase of some of the very best BMX talent in the world and yet another historic date for sport here in Greater Manchester.
With Olympic riders from all over the globe competing and getting the chance to attempt world-first tricks without their score taking an instant hit, it made for a mind-blowing display.
The new format, created by BMX legend and Red Bull athlete, Sebastian Keep, gave riders a new-found freedom on the course, entertaining the audience across the four feature format – and we’d have it back in Manchester in a heartbeat.
Well done to all those involved, and here’s to more Manc sporting history!
Read more:
- A reminder that class is permanent as De Bruyne inspires remarkable Man City comeback
- The first-ever Gladiators Live Tour is coming to Manchester
- A release date for the Freddie Flintoff documentary has been confirmed
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Eisa Bakos/Marcus Cole (via Red Bull Content Pool)
