Vanstippen Returns to the Top at 2026 Ducati King of the Whip

Johannesburg, South Africa - Montecasino in Johannesburg, South Africa was transformed into the ultimate Freestyle Motocross arena on Saturday evening, 7 November, as Ducati King of the Whip produced insane battles in both the Best Whip and Best Trick contests. Belgium’s Julien Vanstippen reclaimed the coveted King of the Whip title, while the Japanese duo of Taka Higashino and Genki Watanabe won the Best Trick contests.

The event was presented by LW Mag in partnership with Monster Energy, iCAUR South Africa, Garmin, Motul, Fox Racing, DJI and Estrella Cerveza.

A sold-out Montecasino

The combination of world-class riding and a packed entertainment programme made for an unforgettable evening at Montecasino.

In front of a sold-out crowd, some of the world's best Motocross and Freestyle Motocross riders went head-to-head in an action-packed showdown, all competing for a share of the R250 000 prize purse. The 2026 rider line-up featured 17 South African competitors and the event’s biggest contingent of international athletes; Christian Dresser (USA), Edgar Torronteras (Spain), Gabe Fink (USA), Genki Watanabe (Japan), Guillem Navas (Spain), Julien Vanstippen (Belgium), Marc Pinyol (Spain), Rusty Cobb (USA), Taka Higashino (Japan), Tom Parsons (USA), Tyler Bereman (USA) and Wyatt Fontenot (USA).

Genki Watanabe © Eric Palmer

With international stars travelling from across the globe to compete on South African soil, the quality of competition was a testament to the event's growing reputation on the international calendar, attracting some of the biggest names in the sport while providing a platform for local riders to compete against the world's elite.

The road to the Best Whip final

The Best Whip contest kicked off the day’s proceedings with riders going head-to-head across four qualifying rounds, each battling for a spot in the next stage. Judges assessed amplitude, style, and variation as they narrowed the competitors down to the 16 rider semi-final. From there, eight riders were eliminated, leaving the top eight to advance into the highly anticipated Finals.

Watanabe and Higashino win Best Trick

Before the King of the Whip could be crowned, the spotlight shifted to the Freestyle Motocross riders as they showcased their skills in the Best Trick Right-Side-Up and Upside-Down contests, where each rider had two chances to take to the ramps and pull off the best tricks possible.

In the Best Trick Right-Side-Up category, Genki Watanabe took the win with the Octopus – Airplane to seat-grab Indy. South Africa’s Dallan Goldman slotted into second place with his Airplane Indy – to Opposite Indy, and Edgar Torroteras’ Saran Wrap to Sideshow to No-Hander-Lander secured him third place.

In his first appearance at King of the Whip, Taka Higashino claimed the top spot in the Best Trick Upside-Down category with a huge RockSolid Backflip. Julien Vanstippen took home second place with a dialled Tsunami Indy Backflip while South Africa’s Dallan Goldman scored another podium finish in third with a Ruler Indy Backflip.

A first Front Flip and the BikeLife crew

Additional showpieces included into this year’s event was a surprising move Spain’s Marc Pinyol, no stranger to making FMX history, who mesmerised the fans with a jaw-dropping Front Flip, performed for the first time at King of the Whip.

Then an awesome display wheelie skills from the BikeLife crew of One Wheel Wavey (UK) and Sara Aydin (Sweden) joined by South African riders Razeen Daniels and Kaine Longley.

Vanstippen reclaims the crown

As riders got ready to send it into the Best Whip final, the tempo intensified enhanced by pyrotechnics and a crowd brimming with anticipation. The Final delivered a fiercely contested showdown between the Top 8 - Julien Vanstippen, Tom Parsons, Genki Watanabe, Dalton venter (South Africa), Tyler Bereman, Ryan Adler (South Africa), Edgar Torronteras, and Dallan Goldman.

Tyler Bereman © Eric Palmer

Unfortunately missing from the final was the defending champion, Wyatt Fontenot, who crashed out earlier in the event.

With each jump the whips got wilder and wilder. Vanstippen, a three-time previous champion after dominating the competition between 2022 and 2024, returned to the top of the podium to reclaim his crown. The Belgian's victory adds another chapter to an already impressive King of the Whip legacy.

The battle for the runner-up position was hotly contested between Parsons, Bereman and Watanabe. In the end it was Parsons who claimed second from Watanabe and Bereman in third and fourth respectively. South Africa’s Dalton Venter rounded out the top five being the highest placed South African rider.

Vanstippen, delighted to reclaim the crown, commented: “I’m super stoked. When I saw the lineup coming up to this event I was like okay, that’s going to be a tough one. It’s like basically all the best athletes, and I’ve been competing with them for a while, so I knew the level was going to be so high. I can’t complain, I’m back on top, so I’m super stoked. Monster Energy always helps put on such a great event”

Best Whip Podium © Eric Palmer

Goldman receives the Ricky Raaff Award

Dallan Goldman also claimed the Ricky Raaff Award, which honours the late South African motocross champion, and is presented to a rider who demonstrates exceptional heart, grit, resilience, and a never-give-up determination throughout the competition.

“Honestly, I’m on top of the world right now. I’ve been having some of the roughest times of my life lately, and the way I’m feeling right now, I can’t describe it. I’m just so happy and grateful that I got to be here and have this opportunity and wow, I’m speechless”, says Goldman.

King of the Whip 2026 Results:

Best Whip:
1st Julien Vanstippen
2nd Tom Parsons
3rd Genki Watanabe
4th Tyler Bereman
5th Dalton venter
6th Ryan Adler
7th Edgar Torronteras
8th Dallan Goldman

Best Trick Upside-Down
1st Taka Higashino
2nd Julien Vanstippen
3rd Dallan Goldman
4th Mark Pinyol
5th Edgar Torronteras

Best Trick Right-Side-Up
1st Genki Watanabe
2nd Dallan Goldman
3rd Edgar Torronteras
4th Marc Pinyol
5th Julien Vanstippen
6th Taka Higashino
7th Michael Oyston
8th Blake Mitrosparas

African Riders Championship – Best Whip
1st Dalton Venter
2nd Ryan Adler
3rd Dallan Goldman

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