Julien Vanstippen Wins Fourth King Of The Whip Title At Montecasino

Belgian freestyle motocross rider Julien Vanstippen reclaimed the King of the Whip title at Montecasino in Johannesburg on Saturday, 7 November 2026. American Tom Parsons finished second in the Best Whip final, with Japan’s Genki “Wanky” Watanabe third.

Vanstippen, a four-time X Games medallist, won three consecutive titles from 2022 to 2024 before American Wyatt Fontenot took the crown in 2025. More than 20 local and international riders competed in front of a sold-out crowd for a share of the R250 000 cash prize pool.

Vanstippen Reclaims The Best Whip Title

Four qualifying rounds narrowed the Best Whip field to 14 semi-finalists. Judges assessed the height, style and variety of the riders’ whips, a manoeuvre in which a rider swings the rear of the motorcycle sideways while airborne. Eight riders advanced to the final.

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

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Watanabe And Higashino Win The Best Trick Events

Watanabe won Best Trick Right Side Up, where riders had two attempts each. South Africa’s Dallan Goldman took second, with Spanish veteran Edgar Torronteras third.

Spain’s Marc Pinyol performed a front flip jump, billed by the event as a first on African soil.

In Best Trick Upside Down, riders had three jumps each. Japan’s Takayuki “Taka” Higashino won on his King of the Whip debut, ahead of Vanstippen and Goldman.

Dallan Goldman Receives The Ricky Raaff Award

Goldman added the Ricky Raaff Award to his two Best Trick podium finishes. The award recognises resilience and determination and honours the late South African motocross champion, who died during a regional championship race in July 2025.

“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

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