http://www.divisionbrand.com/news/

Greg Illingworth On The Vans BMX Pro Cup

"They will remember some of those moment forever. Just like I remember seeing my first BMX contests."

1 Jun 2017

Vans Pro Cup Malaga 26

Greg took a nasty slam on the last day in Malaga but was snapping these around like a champ beforehand.

Photos by Fred Murray

The recent Vans BMX Pro Cup in Malaga had to be one of the best contests we've been to in the last few years. The combination of a bowl comp, a killer list of riders old and new, and the godfather of Spanish BMX, Ruben Alcantara playing host on home concrete were just some of the elements that made up a perfect event, not to mention the focus on style, lines, and creativity ahead of rubber-necked flip-whippery. Ahead of this year's penultimate event in Guadalajara, Mexico, we caught up with DIG favourite Greg Illingworth (Mongoose) to hear what he had to say on this much-needed series and the welcome resurgence of riding everything, fast. 

https://shop.digbmx.com/collections/all-clothing

So, how are you doing after the Malaga stop of the Vans BMX Pro Cup? You took a nasty spill. What happened?

I’m healing up nicely now, thanks. I was doing a nac nac to table and my feet slipped off as I went in to the table… sending me straight to flat. The damage was some bruised/fractured ribs and a separated shoulder.

When are you back to 100%?

The shoulder is taking a little time to get back to normal but I’ve already started pumping around. I’d say about two weeks and I should be feeling solid.

What is your favourite aspect of the Vans BMX Pro Cup contests?

I think just that they’re in bowls really. Bowl jams generate the best atmosphere, I love riding them and I love watching the other dudes roast them.

Who would be in your dream contest group if you were spectating?  

Mike Aitken, Joe Rich, Sergio Layos, Ruben Alcantara, Kevin Kalkoff, Gary Young, Chase Hawk, Tom Dugan, Clint Reynolds, Dylan Lewis and Garrett Byrnes. I know it’s a big group but it’s my dream haha.

Greg Illingworth Pro Bmx Cup

What was it like getting to share the deck with Garrett Byrnes and Ruben in 2017?  

Insane! Seriously. I’ve looked up to those guys for so long. I met them about ten years ago when they visited South Africa. This was the first time I’ve seen them together since then, it may even be the first time I’d seen Garrett since then at all. I felt honoured getting to speak to them and watch them ride.

What was the craziest thing you saw there all weekend?  

Maxime’s table transfer! The whip needs a mention but the table...

Is there anywhere you would you like to see the BMX Pro Cup go next year?  

South Africa and the UK!

Vans Pro Cup Malaga 9

BMX contest crowds don't get much better.

"There were moments during the Malaga contest where I rode past the crowd and heard nothing but kids screaming! They were so stoked on the whole thing."

Us too, do you think we're seeing a resurgence of the all-round rider?  

Yes, I think so. It may be more of a resurgence in classic riding or bowl/faster riding… however you want to describe it. I’d like to see all aspects of BMX thrive independently through working together where possible. I think it’s become clear in recent years that mixing all aspects of riding, and all kinds of riders in to one pot can be a bit awkward.

How important do you consider contests to be? 

I think they are a fundamental part of BMX.

Agreed. Do you believe contests like these directly get kids stoked on bowl riding / park riding which in turn helps to promote the sport? 

There were moments during the Malaga contest where I rode past the crowd and heard nothing but kids screaming! They were so stoked on the whole thing. They will remember some of those moments forever. Just like I remember seeing my first BMX contests.

Related Video

In The Cut - Vans BMX Pro Cup - Malaga

Deck Chat - More Info

DIG's own Rob Dolecki will be on hand in Guadalajara producing our exclusive content at what is sure to be another awesome event hosted by Vans. In the meantime check our 'related content' section below for videos, articles, and photo galleries from the 2017 stops in Malaga and Sydney....

VANS are Official DIG Partners.

Previous

Setups - Mike "Hucker" Clark

Hucker's bar-ride and Hang-five tool of trade​

Related Content

Vans Sydney Extras
Play Button

2017 Vans BMX Pro Cup: Extras From Sydney

Bowl Bonus Belters

10 Mar 2017
Garyyoungvans
Play Button

2017 Vans BMX Pro Cup: Gary Young - Rider Profile

Mr Nice with a quick shred

1 Mar 2017
2017 Vans Bmx Pro Cup Series Corey Walsh 2Nd Place Run In Spain
Play Button

2017 Vans BMX Pro Cup Series- Corey Walsh - 2nd Place Run in Spain

Low and slow? More like going fast and pulling back!

10 May 2017
2017 Vans Bmx Pro Cup Sydney Highlights
Play Button

2017 Vans BMX Pro Cup - Sydney Highlights

Pro Cup Down Under

6 Mar 2017
Womens Bmx Mixtape Vans Pro Cup Malaga
Play Button

Women's BMX Mixtape - Vans Pro Cup Malaga

Nina Buitrago and the crew head to Spain

26 May 2017
2017 Vans Bmx Pro Cup
Play Button

2017 Vans BMX Pro Cup - Official Trailer

This is definitely something that BMX needs

2 Feb 2017
Vans Pro Cup
Play Button

2017 Vans BMX Pro Cup: Sydney Regional Qualifiers

A New Series From Vans

27 Feb 2017
https://www.kunstform.org/

Latest Content

C0 G Unj H b I4hqdefault
Play Button

MIR NG - "TAIWANS GOT IT"

DIG LOCALS

8 May 2025
Xz0 VK8 Pt2zshqdefault
Play Button

'CHICAGRE'

Grenoble, France

7 May 2025
Renato relapse thumb
Play Button

RENATO RANCSO - 'RELAPSED' | LUXBMX

Welcome To LUX!

5 May 2025
7 JQEG Vlz Iq Ahqdefault
Play Button

TOM MARSH - INTERVIEWS EP3 - BMX Direct Thailand

Scotland in Thailand

5 May 2025
It Hsd B Fav Qkhqdefault
Play Button

Dennis Enarson Game of Bike: Jason Watts Vs. Kevin Peraza

High level heaters at Clairemont

2 May 2025
Michael dickson x dig thumb
Play Button

MICHAEL DICKSON X DIG

Whip it real good

1 May 2025
HR55 De6 DEQ4hqdefault
Play Button

Sietse van Berkel - Thread - 2025

Signature style from one of the best.

1 May 2025
Zqqpc P1 Xpu Ehqdefault
Play Button

KINK - Best Of THIRTY Compilation

Choice cuts

1 May 2025
Lqi T5 W Wue Gkhqdefault
Play Button

Launch Box - Spring 2025 - A Profile Mixer

Spring season randomness

1 May 2025
Upa XUT1r Ctkhqdefault
Play Button

CONCRETE PARADISE

ft. Jack Hennicke, Willem Jorgensen & Kevin Bass

30 Apr 2025
Kx6 Pew BD2 V Ahqdefault
Play Button
Mt1 Zn6 N Go Uhqdefault
Play Button

Radical Sabbatical - NorCal Mix

Off the job training

28 Apr 2025

DIG Partner stores

More Dig This

Vans 11 27 21 014 Bruno Gap wall

BRUNO HOFFMANN INTERVIEW - 'FOREIGN'

"I think the scene is doing good..."

21 Apr 2025
RIXIN BIG APPLE ANGLE RAW ON WHITE 2500

PRODUCTIVITY - RIXIN Big Apple Frame

Billy Perry's signature frame - Built around what he needed.

8 Apr 2025
Rad teaser

Rad Day 2025

Anniversary movie screenings and RAD documentary release.

18 Mar 2025
Expert Top 3 Roll On crop

REPO: Keeping it local at the UK 'ROLL ON' Flatland Jam

"My desire was to give something back" – Mike O'Connell

5 Mar 2025
Snow Fight – Naoki Gaman2

20 Tips For Surviving Simple Session 2025

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

20 Feb 2025
SS finals samples 4

SIMPLE SESSION 25 WRAP UP

Highlight videos, results and more

19 Feb 2025
Street station graphic

STREET STATION RETURNS for 2025

"Not your average BMX jam"

18 Feb 2025
Stack

DIG BOOK #2024

AVAILABLE VIA THESE BIKE SHOPS AND DISTROS

30 Dec 2024
New dig apparel main image

NEW DIG BMX APPAREL

Available now

27 Dec 2024
30 YRS POSH BOOK MNTN V V 004

(Almost) 30 YEARS OF POSH WOODS

Now available

24 Dec 2024
BSD Grime Safari Reed Stark Austin 6

Reed Stark - A Photo Safari

Safari Forever...

6 Dec 2024
Et FW24 Dig Magazine Collab Shoot 031

Introducing the DIG X ETNIES Collection

Celebrating a 25 year partnership

7 Nov 2024