The ancient Kastel Fortress in Banja Luka turned into a playground for motorbike aerobatics on hot summer night on 7th of August. The Red Bull FMX Jam kicked off this year’s Fresh Wave Festival with roaring engines, gravity-defying stunts, and pure adrenaline. And for me and my lenses it was quite the reunion with this amazing sport. I hadn’t photographed FMX in a while, so this event felt like a long-awaited reunion for both me and my lenses.
As someone with decades of experience photographing FMX, whether it was the Red Bull X-Fighters series, FMX Jam, or individual projects, this shoot was a true treat for me. What made it even more special was the personal connection. Back in 2010, I had the opportunity to work with Jimmy Verburgh, one of the pioneers of this sport who made it popular across Europe. In Banja Luka, I had the pleasure of photographing his 18-year-old son,Troy Verburgh. Seeing the love for the sport passed from one generation to the next, and capturing it through my camera, was a moment I’ll remember.
FMX is one of those sports where knowing the discipline and the tricks is essential if you want to capture the right shot. It’s fast, in the air, and it’s bursting with adrenaline. You have to be precise, timing your shot so you freeze the rider at the peak of a trick while still conveying the motion, rather than just catching a static image of someone flying through the air.
For me, the FMX Jam was a vivid reminder of why I love this sport, and the fact that it happened in Banja Luka, where I always feel welcomed because it is my neighbourghood made it all the more meaningful. As the sun set, thousands of fans gathered at the fortress to watch FMX riders soar up in the air, pulling off cliffhangers, supermans, and backflips. With each trick the jaws dropped in awe. Pyrotechnics lit the night while DJ Kosnik’s beats kept the pulse racing. TV host Srđan Erceg hyped the crowd, feeding the riders’ energy with wave after wave of applause.
Spanish Red Bull rider Jose “Mincha” Canosa led a stellar lineup including Mario Lucas, Troy Verburgh, and Jens Hvolboll, each bringing their own style in the air. The night also saw a surprise appearance from stunt legends Aras Gibieža and Nemanja Mihajlović, who had teased the spectacle. When the engines finally cooled, the action shifted to the main stage. Berlin techno star Kobosil delivered a set that turned the fortress into a pulsating heart of sound. Rising star Aiden kept the crowd moving deep into the night. And this was only the opening. The Fresh Wave Festival continued for three nights, with five stages hosting a powerhouse lineup of techno, house, and electronic music, blending global stars with regional talent. Since its debut in 2013, Fresh Wave has grown from a local summer party into one of the Balkans’ most celebrated electronic music festivals, drawing thousands each August to Banja Luka’s historic Kastel Fortress for world-class DJs, cutting-edge production, and an atmosphere unlike any other.