Not so long ago, Erik Fedko was still a rather unknown quantity on the scene. In the last three years, however, he has made phenomenal progress. After completing his training, he decided to become a full-time professional. Over the course of his first real professional season, "Fedko" (as he is also known) proved that he can not only keep up with the best slopestyle riders in the world, but also compete for titles.
It all started in 2006 with motocross. Guided by his father, the man from Fröndenberg near Dortmund developed a passion for two wheels. In 2008, he welded together his son's first dirt bike from an old children's bike, paving the way for his mountain bike. Although it didn't last long under the strain of daily sessions in the forest, it was nevertheless a crucial piece of the puzzle for Erik's development today. For years, Erik alternated between motocross and mountain biking. The experience he gained in the process now serves as the basis for his impressive repertoire of tricks, which also puts the Rogatkins and Rheeders of this world under pressure.
In 2013, Erik took part in his first FMB Bronze event at the iXS Dirt Masters Festival and the following year he competed in several Gold and Silver events. He is also a regular participant on the German Freestyle Mountain Bike Tour, where he celebrated his first victory on the FMB World Tour in 2015 at Dirtpark Belsen. In 2016, Fedko managed to win the amateur classification of the FMB World Tour, where he prevailed against many up-and-coming young riders from all over Europe. Ultimately, this success also led to his decision to try the next step in the pros. "It has always been my goal to ride with the pros at some point and to take part in events like Crankworx and Red Bull Joyride. I've always tried to push myself and compete with others, I've always given it my all. The success in 2016 motivated me all the more to pursue this goal. I invested a lot of time in learning the tricks I wanted and didn't orientate myself too much on individual riders in the pro ranks. Everyone does their tricks differently and so I think I also bring my own style to the table," explains Erik confidently.
After finishing in the top 10 at four FMB Gold Events in 2017 and achieving the best result of his career to date with a second place at O'Marisquino in Vigo, Spain, which secured him a place at the legendary Red Bull District Ride in Nuremberg, it was clear that this youngster was far from having exhausted his potential. The last event of the year through the historic centre of Nuremberg was to be a further indication. A fifth place in his very first participation in an FMB Diamond Event against world-class competition hinted at what was to follow in 2018.
With his energetic and buttery smooth runs, Erik Fedko conjured up an almost dream season on the dirt jump bike. Thanks to strong performances at all events of the Crankworx FMBA Slopestyle World Championship (SWC), including third place at Crankworx Les Gets and Red Bull Joyride at Crankwork Whistler (video below), he was rewarded for his work with third place at the SWC. "At the beginning of the year I was a bit too cautious, but it was my first Crankworx event and with such big jumps. But because I had finished my training, I was able to spend more time on my bike and felt better and more confident towards the summer. Towards the end of the season, things went more like I had imagined. I think for my first Crankworx season, you can't really complain (laughs)."
Erik Fedko's 3rd Place Run In Whistler, Canada. | Crankworx 2018
Erik Fedko's first SWC season in the recap of the FMBA Crankworks season on Red Bull TV
But Erik Fedko is far from satisfied. In 2019, he now wants to drive his development forward together with rasoulution and go for the world championship title. "Erik has really taken off in a short space of time and yet has remained totally down to earth as a person. We are very much looking forward to working with him and supporting him in taking the next step in professional slopestyle sport," says Erik's new manager Tarek Rasouli. Erik Fedko already has his sights firmly set on the coming season: "I'm going to use the off-season to keep working on myself - training in the skatepark in bad weather and hopefully going to Barcelona twice to spend time on the bike at La Poma Bikepark. I'm also in the process of building my own spot at home. We're still in the planning phase, but I hope to be able to ride on my doorstep soon, weather permitting."
Follow Erik's activities here:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Fedkoerik
Instagram: www.instagram.com/erik_fedko
