As recent as the start of 2023 seems, the year is already wrapping up which gives us a chance to reflect on the ride. Starting with our Mongoose Freestyle team, let’s look at what happened in 2023.
To start the year, we released the Appalachian Adventures team video featuring Pat Casey, Nikita Ducarroz, Mykel Larrin, Kevin Peraza and Ben Wallace, with special guest Josh Hult making an appearance! The team was able to check out some of the hot spots that Western North Carolina had to offer!
We also welcomed Matty Cranmer to the brand, who came out hot with videos featuring all kinds of Mongoose bikes from the Guide gravel bike, to our complete Legion bikes, and so many more videos rockin’ the Kevin Peraza La Familia V2 signature frame. Matty also scored the cover of the Pull BMX magazine which also included an interview with him.
On the very unfortunate side, we lost Mongoose rider and dear friend, Pat Casey. While we continue to grieve for Pat and his family, we must also celebrate the good times we were able to share with Pat and the incredible legacy he’s left with the BMX community and cycling at large. Mongoose released Pat’s final video edit this past summer – As Long As I Can – which was filmed in the Czech Republic earlier in May. Pat was also celebrated by Our BMX and won the NORA Cup for Transition Rider of the Year. We miss you Pat! #patcaseyforever
There was no shortage of contests this year giving the riders plenty of chances for some podium placements. Nikita took a few firsts in some UCI C1 events, like the Toul BMX Jam in France and the Extreme Barcelona contest in Spain! In July, Kevin Peraza made X Games history by becoming the first athlete to win in a Gold Medal in three different disciplines. He now has a gold medal in Dirt (2016), Park (2017,2021) and this year he took a gold medal in Street! He also won the Dave Mirra Best Trick when he jumped up on the big pergola (landing a little sketchy) and did a perfect 360 tailwhip into the transition 10 feet below!
2023 also saw a whole lot of Mongoose Am Jams happening in conjunction with the USA BMX Freestyle series. There were 8 stops all over the United States with different Mongoose pros showing up at each stop to get the kids stoked and hand out prizes. There was also a bigger Am Jam that happened during the Bentonville Bike Fest at the Railyard Park in Rogers, AK, back in May. The 4-hour long jam featured riding all over the Railyard with a best trick jam ending the day. Matty Cranmer, Nikita Ducarroz and Kevin Peraza were on hand to ride with everyone and made sure that good times were had by all!
What a year for the Mongoose Freestyle team… and that was the short version! Stay tuned this month to hear about the 2023 Mongoose Mountain Bike and BMX Race teams!
