An Austria-Tour Opener That Set the Tone

The 2026 Austria Tour had high expectations — and it delivered. Twice.

On February 28, Masters of Dirt brought the Freestyle Firestorm Tour to the TipsArena Linz for two completely sold-out shows.

A total of 9,000 fans witnessed what instantly became one of the most explosive shows in M.O.D history.

When the final pyrotechnics faded and the crowd finally caught its breath, one thing was certain: the bar for 2026 had officially been raised.

The Moments That Shook the Arena

The most talked-about highlight of the night came early — and without warning.

Adrian Guggemos launched on top of of an an 8-meter-high scissor lift, before backflipping on top of it, then dropping down on the same kicker ramp he had used to take off... the risk, the precision, the height. The arena erupted. A stunt that won't be easily replicated by anybody in the foreseeable future.

Moments later, Dorian Macher attempted to write his own chapter in the history books with a MTB Double Backflip Tailwhip — a technical masterpiece that left even seasoned action sports fans in disbelief. Unfortunately Dorian wasn't able to bring it home, but rest assure, redemption awaits.

Mario Lucas Sanz completed an extraordinary FMX best-trick showcase with massive extensions and perfectly executed frontflips, delivering a climax moment to the show.

The Women Owning the Night

The spotlight also belonged to the women.

Fifteen-year-old Mia Salchenegger and 13-year-old Bianca Martin (who newly joined the M.O.D family all the way from Australia) dropped into the 10-meter Roll-in Tower with fearless confidence, earning roaring applause from the Linz crowd.

Vera Timchenko delivered a powerful FMX performance that showcased the depth and progression of the 2026 M.O.D roster.

Building the Next Legacy

In its 23rd year, Masters of Dirt isn’t living off past success — it’s building the next generation of legends.

Linz featured one of the strongest young rider line-ups ever assembled on a M.O.D stage. Talents from around the world stepped up and owned their moment, winning over fans of every age.

Harley Rockstar, the youngest rider in the crew, proved that age is just a number. He cleared the same massive jumps as the pros and stomped a clean backflip — a true show-stopper.

Vienna’s Paul Bodensten, just 13 years old, delivered a series of sky-high backflips that left the audience stunned.

From the USA, Connor Stitt combined big tricks with natural showmanship, blending technical riding with effortless crowd interaction.

At only 15, Samy Louis Fernbach raised the bar by landing a double frontflip on MTB — a trick mastered by only a handful of riders worldwide.

And then came Weston Lukens. Arguably the most skilled 13-year-old MTB rider in the world today, the American made his Masters of Dirt debut in Linz — and instantly connected with the arena.

He understood the formula: the bigger the trick, the louder the crowd. And he delivered accordingly.

A New Level of Fan Experience

The newly introduced M.O.D Event Cockpit added an entirely new dimension to the show. Fans could take selfies that were displayed live on the arena videowalls, turning thousands of spectators into part of the spectacle itself.

A live audience vote crowned SWIFTY Moto as the absolute winner of the weekend — another moment that blurred the line between show and crowd.

The Tour Continues

The Freestyle Firestorm Tour rolls on through spring and summer 2026:

• Innsbruck — March 7

• Vienna — March 13–15

• Frankfurt — April 4

• Milan — April 11–12

• Graz — April 18

• Salzburg — April 25

• Klagenfurt — June 27

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Tickets available at mastersofdirt.com/events