Over 50,000 spectators crowded around the Nissan Qashqai Challenge course set in front of the Tate Modern with the city forming an impressive backdrop to the freeride event that was won by top Brit Lance McDermott, his consistency throughout the series scoring him the overall title and a huge 40,000 cheque.
A sporadic head wind picked up during the qualifying and affected some of the results, with Martin Soederstrom and Brendan Semenuk failing to qualify, leaving the door open for some of the riders who didn't place as well in Munich, and had an impact on the overall results.
In the finals Sam Pilgrim chalked the highest score of the day and lit the place up with a very confident run, including a huge 360, back flip one-footed x-up and the biggest flair of the day from the left quarter to the dirt landing. Benny Korthaus moved into second with an x-up, one-handed 360 tabletop, backflip, clean 360 tailwhip and downside foot plant on the battle ship sub box. < /p>
But it was Lance McDermott's consisency with a 4th place in Munich and 3rd place in London securing him the overall victory and the 40,000 prize. Benny Korthaus took second place overall with a 6th in Munich and 2nd in London, just one point behind McDermott and earned himself 25,000. Norway's Trond Hansen finished in the 3rd overall position with a 2nd in Munich and 7th place in London and took home 12,500.
Paul Basagoitia was 4th overall with two 5th place finishes, and Sam Pilgrim rounded out the top 5 overall with an 11th and 1st place.
The 2008 edition of the Nissan Qashqai Challenge was a huge success, and there are big plans for 2009.
