The world’s freestyle motocross elite descended on Montecasino on 7 November for the 2026 Ducati King of the Whip, delivering a sold-out night of high-flying competition, spectacular tricks and fierce battles for motocross supremacy.
Belgium’s Julien Vanstippen reclaimed the coveted King of the Whip title, while Japan’s Taka Higashino and Genki Watanabe dominated the respective Best Trick categories in an event that showcased the extraordinary progression of freestyle motocross.
Presented by LW Mag in partnership with Monster Energy, iCAUR South Africa, Garmin, Motul, Fox Racing, DJI and Estrella Cerveza, the competition brought together 29 riders, including 17 South African competitors and 12 international athletes.
International stars, South African contenders
The 2026 line-up featured some of the biggest names in international freestyle motocross, including current X Games Gold Medallist Julien Vanstippen, Tyler Bereman, Taka Higashino, Tom Parsons, Edgar Torronteras and Genki Watanabe.
With several international stars making their King of the Whip debuts, the competition delivered a particularly strong international field while giving South African riders the opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s best.
The Best Whip competition unfolded through multiple qualifying rounds before narrowing the field to eight finalists. Riders were judged on amplitude, style and variation, with every jump raising the stakes as the competition moved towards its final showdown.
Higashino and Watanabe deliver standout tricks
The Best Trick competitions provided some of the evening’s most memorable performances.
Japan’s Genki Watanabe claimed the Best Trick Right-Side-Up category with an Octopus – Airplane to Seat-Grab Indy combination. South Africa’s Dallan Goldman secured second place with an Airplane Indy to Opposite Indy, while Spain’s Edgar Torronteras finished third.
In the Best Trick Upside-Down category, Taka Higashino made an immediate impression during his first King of the Whip appearance, taking victory with a RockSolid Backflip.
Vanstippen finished second with a Tsunami Indy Backflip, while Goldman secured another podium position in third with a Ruler Indy Backflip.
One of the evening’s defining moments came from Spain’s Marc Pinyol, who successfully landed a Front Flip – the first time the trick had been performed at King of the Whip.
The BikeLife crew also brought another dimension to the programme, with One Wheel Wavey from the UK and Sara Aydin from Sweden joining South African riders Razeen Daniels and Kaine Longley for an impressive display of wheelie skills.
Vanstippen returns to the top
The Best Whip final brought together eight riders for the night’s defining battle.
Vanstippen faced Tom Parsons, Genki Watanabe, Dalton Venter, Tyler Bereman, Ryan Adler, Edgar Torronteras and Dallan Goldman in a fiercely contested final.
Defending champion Wyatt Fontenot was unfortunately unable to reach the final after crashing earlier in the competition.
Vanstippen, who previously dominated the competition between 2022 and 2024, demonstrated why he remains one of the sport’s leading competitors. The Belgian reclaimed his title, adding another chapter to his King of the Whip legacy.
Parsons secured second place, followed by Watanabe in third and Bereman in fourth. South Africa’s Dalton Venter finished fifth, making him the highest-placed South African in the overall Best Whip final.
South African riders make their mark
Beyond the international title battle, South African competitors delivered strong performances across the competition.
Dallan Goldman collected two Best Trick podium finishes and was also awarded the Ricky Raaff Award, recognising his determination, resilience and fighting spirit throughout the event.
The award honours the late South African motocross champion and recognises the qualities that continue to define the country’s motocross community.
Goldman also expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete, describing the achievement as particularly meaningful following a difficult period in his life.
In the African Riders Championship Best Whip category, South Africa’s Dalton Venter claimed first place, with Ryan Adler finishing second and Dallan Goldman third.
With its international field, technical riding and standout performances, the 2026 Ducati King of the Whip reinforced South Africa’s position as an important destination on the international freestyle motocross calendar.
The competition continues to demonstrate how local action-sports platforms can attract global talent while creating opportunities for homegrown riders to compete on an international stage.
Official competition results
Best Whip
| Position | Rider | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Julien Vanstippen | Belgium |
| 2nd | Tom Parsons | USA |
| 3rd | Genki Watanabe | Japan |
| 4th | Tyler Bereman | USA |
| 5th | Dalton Venter | South Africa |
| 6th | Ryan Adler | South Africa |
| 7th | Edgar Torronteras | Spain |
| 8th | Dallan Goldman | South Africa |
Best Trick – Upside-Down
- Taka Higashino
- Julien Vanstippen
- Dallan Goldman
- Marc Pinyol
- Edgar Torronteras
Best Trick – Right-Side-Up
- Genki Watanabe
- Dallan Goldman
- Edgar Torronteras
- Marc Pinyol
- Julien Vanstippen
- Taka Higashino
- Michael Oyston
- Blake Mitrosparas
African Riders Championship – Best Whip
- Dalton Venter
- Ryan Adler
- Dallan Goldman
Photos by Eric Palmer
