➤ Click here to SUBSCRIBE to Nitro Circus: https://goo.gl/k6lcW Canberra, Australia, is where we introduced the competition segment to our live touring show, and it came out of the gate as a crowd favorite. Check out the first-ever Nitro Circus LIve FMX competition, featuring Harry Bink, Adam Jones, Josh Sheehan, and more FMX legends. And follow us everywhere for even more fun: FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/NitroCircus INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nitrocircus/ SNAPCHAT: @nitrocircus TWITTER: https://twitter.com/nitrocircus See us live in a city near you: http://nitrocircus.com/tour/ Find all the Nitro Circus gear at our online store. Shirts, hats, gloves, posters, and more! SHOP now: https://shop.nitrocircus.com Inquiries for Product Licensing [email protected] Inquiries for Content Licensing [email protected] About us: Nitro Circus is what happen as when a group of extremely talented and fearless friends decides to make their hobby into their profession. This crew of wild ones represents a cross section of everything awesome in action sports: freestyle motocross, BMX, skateboarding, scooter, snowboarding, skiing, BASE jumping, sky diving, and a bunch of stuff that shouldn’t be taken down a ramp. Nitro Circus tours the world putting on shows featuring all of the above and more. In our constant quest to always do what we love and push the boundaries of what’s possible in action sports, we have some epic crashes and legendary fails, but stick or stack, our only goal is to have fun and entertain the world in the process.
VIDEO
The Next Level FMX Contest roared to life this weekend, delivering a spectacle that redefined the boundaries of freestyle motocross. Thousands of fans packed into the open-air arena as the world’s best riders went head-to-head in a battle of courage, creativity, and control. But two tricks stole the entire show — the Cliffhanger and the Rock Solid Backflip — in what many are already calling the most explosive FMX duel of the year.
The atmosphere was electric long before the first engine revved. Pyrotechnics lit up the night sky, the bass from the soundtrack rattled the metal bleachers, and drones hovered overhead to capture every angle of the madness about to unfold. As the gates dropped, the competition escalated from impressive to downright unbelievable.
The Cliffhanger: A Test of Nerve and Precision
When rider Mark “The Hawk” Henderson took flight with his Cliffhanger, the crowd erupted. Suspended midair, Henderson locked his boots under the handlebars, stretching his body into a cruciform pose with both arms extended. For a brief, breathtaking moment, time seemed to freeze — a man literally hanging from the sky while his bike soared beneath him.
The move required absolute synchronization between timing, grip, and body control. One slip, one millisecond too late, and disaster would be inevitable. But Henderson made it look effortless, holding the position long enough for the cameras to capture what will likely become one of the most replayed FMX moments of the year. When he landed, the arena exploded into cheers. It was clean, flawless, and undeniably poetic in its danger.
The Rock Solid Backflip: Chaos and Mastery Combined
Then came Jake “Nitro” Alvarez — the man who has built his name on defying logic. As he launched into the ramp for his Rock Solid Backflip, even the commentators fell silent. The move began as a standard backflip, but halfway through, Alvarez let go of the bike completely, floating midair like a comet breaking free from orbit.
For a split second, both man and machine spun independently — a dangerous dance of weight, speed, and gravity. And just when it seemed impossible, Alvarez reached out, re-grabbed the seat, and landed perfectly on two wheels. The crowd went berserk. Smoke, shouts, and sirens filled the night. It wasn’t just a trick — it was a declaration of dominance.
Judges Torn, Fans United
When the scores came in, the tension was palpable. The judges praised Henderson’s Cliffhanger for its technical precision and textbook execution, while Alvarez’s Rock Solid Backflip earned higher marks for creativity and risk. In the end, the difference was razor-thin — and the debate raged among fans long after the final fireworks faded.
“Mark was all about control and style,” said one of the judges. “Jake brought pure chaos and heart-stopping spectacle. They both reminded us why FMX isn’t just a sport — it’s an art form.”
A Night to Remember
The event closed with both riders lifting their helmets to the roaring crowd, united by mutual respect and the shared thrill of pushing human limits. The Next Level FMX Contest wasn’t just another competition — it was a statement that in freestyle motocross, gravity bows to skill, and fear has no place in the vocabulary of champions.
As the engines cooled and fans drifted out beneath the lights, one truth remained: the Cliffhanger and the Rock Solid Backflip weren’t just tricks — they were moments of immortality, carved into the dirt and adrenaline of FMX history.