Intense battles in both the Best Whip and Best Trick contests at the 2025 Volkswagen Amarok King of the Whip saw the USA’s Wyatt Fontenot crowned the new King of the Whip, while Australia’s Pat Bowden successfully defended both of his Best Trick titles. The action unfolded in front of a sold-out crowd at Montecasino, Johannesburg.
The event was presented by LW Mag in association with Monster Energy, Yamaha, Garmin, Motul, GoPro, Fox Racing, PlayTSOGO and Estrella Cerveza.
Top Freestyle Motocross and Motocross riders took to the ramps to compete in the Best Whip and Best Trick contests, all vying for a share of the R250 000 prize purse. The 2025 rider lineup featured 21 South African competitors and nine international athletes: Julien Vanstippen (Belgium), Wyatt Fontenot (USA), Pat Bowden (Australia) Genki “Wanky” Watanabe (Japan), Vicki Golden (USA), Ry Hazell (Australia), Marc Pinyol (Spain), Julien Mannon (France) and Stav Orland (Uganda).
Event organiser Ryan van der Spuy said “Seeing what we achieved this year is something I’m extremely proud of. I can confidently say that King of the Whip has grown into one of the world’s premier Freestyle Motocross events. The caliber of international athletes who come out to South Africa to compete against our local stars was insane. The action was non-stop from start to finish, with energy building all the way through to the final and prize giving.
A huge thank you to everyone involved and for helping turn this vision into reality, and most importantly to our riders who put it all on the line – this event is for you and for the sport. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
The Best Whip contest kicked off the day with riders going head-to-head across four qualifying rounds, each battling for a spot in the next stage. Judges assessed amplitude, style, and variation as they narrowed the competitors down to the 16 rider semi-final. From there, eight riders were eliminated, leaving the top eight to advance into the highly anticipated Finals.
Before the King of the Whip could be crowned, the spotlight shifted to the FMX riders as they showcased their skills in the Best Trick Right-Side-Up and Upside-Down competitions, where each rider had three chances to take to the ramps and pull off the best trick possible. Defending champion, Pat Bowden dominated both categories, reaffirming his status as the undisputed King of the Tricks.
Bowden claimed the top spot in the Right-Side-Up category with his electrifying Christ Air Stage Dive (No-Hander Lander). Genki Watanabe unveiled his new trick, The Octopus — a whipped-out seat-grab Indy to Airplane — earning him a well-deserved second place, while Julien Vanstippen followed in third with a whipped-out Airplane to Seat Grab.
In the Upside-Down category, Bowden once again dominated, this time with his show-stealing Rowedova Backflip to One-Hander Lander. Marc Pinyol, who won the 2023 Best Trick contest with his iconic California Roll Body Varial, brought the trick back for 2025 to secure the runner-up position. Julien Vanstippen completed the podium with a powerful Backflip Tsunami.
Pat Bowden, winner of the Best Trick contests stated “It means a lot to me, honestly. I was lying in a hospital bed in Russia six weeks ago, and I didn’t honestly think that I would be here, obviously the first place feels good, but what really means the most to me is the fact that I’m even here right now. Just so grateful for Ryan (van der Spuy), for putting this event on, everyone who supports it, the hospitality here is absolutely crazy. This is definitely a world class event. I was here last year, and he somehow manages to step this thing up year after the year, so I think the future looks bright. It will be interesting to see where this event goes.”
Before the evening’s main event, the Best Whip Final, fans were treated to Monster Energy’s Rig Riot – a spectacular laser and light show that transformed Montecasino’s façade into a breathtaking display, marking a first-of-its-kind experience in South Africa.
As riders got ready to send it into the final the tempo intensified, enhanced by pyrotechnics and a crowd brimming with anticipation. Riders left nothing on the table as they attempted to dethrone reigning champion Julien Vanstippen.
The Final delivered a fiercely contested showdown between Julien Vanstippen and the two Stark Varg riders Wyatt Fontenot and Ry Hazell. Vicki Golden, the event’s first female competitor, was also in the mix along with Genki Watanabe, Stav Olrand, Ryan Adler and Trent Valsecchi.
With each jump the whips got bigger and crazier. In the end, Fontenot rose above the pack to claim the crown from Vanstippen. Hazell delivered an outstanding performance to secure third place, with Stav Orland and Vicki Golden rounding out the top five.
Best Whip winner Wyatt Fontenot said “It’s amazing. The guys out here pushed me to the fullest. Julien (Vanstippen) has always been a big inspiration to me, and to be able to ride with him and compete with him is crazy. South Africa has sickest crowd I’ve ever seen. Since I’ve landed, I’ve had the coolest people around me. South Africa, I’m definitely coming back. Nicest people out here.”
Ryan Adler delivered an impressive performance throughout the day, advancing from the qualifying rounds to the semi-finals and ultimately earning his place in the Final. On his opening jump of the last round, he unleashed one of his biggest whips of the event but suffered a heavy crash. Despite returning to a badly damaged bike, Adler managed to get it patched up well enough to make another attempt before the Final wrapped.
His determination, spirit, and unwavering energy throughout the competition earned him the newly introduced Ricky Raaff Award—presented in honour of the late Ricky Raaff.
King of the Whip 2025 Final Results
Best Whip
1st Wyatt Fontenot (R60 000.00)
2nd Julien Vanstippen (R40 000.00)
3rd Ry Hazell (R20 000.00)
4th Stav Orland (R15 000.00)
5th Vicki Golden (R10 000.00)
6th Genki Watanabe
7th Trent Valsecchi
8th Ryan Adler
Best Trick Upside Down
1st Pat Bowden (R28 500.00)
2nd Marc Pinyol (R18 000.00)
3rd Julien Vanstippen (R14 000.00)
Best Trick Right Side Up
1st Pat Bowden (R18 500.00)
2nd Genki Watanabe (R13 000.00)
3rd Julien Vanstippen (R8 500.00)
Ricky Raaff Award
Ryan Adler
#KingoftheWhip
Distributed by Truth Collective
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e. craig@truthcollective.co.za
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