Stunt rider Mattie tackles big guns in Germany

Date Published: 15-Sep-2011

Galway stunt star, Mattie Griffin, will be competing in the prestigious Stunt Riding German Open – arguably the world’s biggest freestyle riding competition – on his modified BMW F 800 R this weekend.

The invitational event will see over 40 of the very best stunt riders competing and showing off their mind-blowing tricks, skills and routines in front of a panel of expert judges.

The two-day competition, held at the Hockenheimring circuit in Germany, takes place over the weekend. German streetbike freestyle legend Chris Pfeiffer has won the event on his F 800 R for the past two years, but won’t be competing at this year’s Open due to other commitments, leaving Griffin to fly the flag for BMW Motorrad.

Griffin, from Woodquay, said: “I’m very excited to be taking part this year – it’s a truly world-level event. I wasn’t ready to enter the competition last year as I’d just started developing my BMW F 800 R stunt bike, but now it’s absolutely ready for it.

“The standard of riding is going to be extremely high; there are a lot of new, young riders with phenomenal skills, so I’ve been working very hard to ensure I’m at the top of my game.

“I’ve been training and preparing my bike and spend a minimum of two hours every day riding to perfect my routines and tricks. I’ll be doing some of my trademark stunts, including no-handed wheelies and acrobatic tricks, as well as introducing some brand new ones which I’ve been working on!”

Thirty-one year-old Griffin also develops and works on his own stunt bikes, and has said that building the bike in his workshop was almost as enjoyable as honing his stunt-riding skills.

Each rider will have just three and a half minutes in which to perform their tightly-choreographed routines. The judges aren’t looking for all-out speed; the riders will be judged on creativity, absolute machine control and their own distinctive, individual style and technique. 

For more information about Mattie Griffin, visit www.mgstuntriding.com

For more on this story, see the Galway City Tribune.