To build or not to build?
They built the tracks mainly for themselves, tailored to the level of a passionate downhiller and Crankworx slopestyler. But for a bike park to be successful, it has to offer trails to all types of riders, from beginners to pros and ideally, everything else in between. Well, they went for it, and in 2015 launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for the construction of a blue beginner and a red advanced trail.
To grab people’s attention from the video, they built the Double Black Mamba, a track with stonking jumps and shark fins, (steep adjacent berms running off into jumps). They added a few worldclass
freeriders into the mix, wonderful golden sunsets and amazingly stylish riding. The video became an instant hit. The Crowdfunding campaign raised €20,000, enough to pay for the building equipment with some left over for an old army truck for shuttling. SR SUNTOUR is delighted to have been supporting the park since its early days and proud to be part of the EVO family.
In no time at all, three biker friends had become entrepreneurs. The thread tying these three differing characters together is of course, the bike. It’s what brought them together in the first place.
Without it, they probably wouldn’t have met. Romain Baghe is the quiet, reserved type, keeping himself to himself, preferring to let his riding and trail-building do the talking. Drawing on his international DH race experience, Hugo Schoonheere is responsible for the natural, technically demanding tracks, similar to
the World Cup routes in Val di Sole and Champéry. Thomas di Giovanni completes the intriguing trio. A qualified architect and more of a professor than a freerider. He is Evo Bike Park’s photographer
and film-maker, responsible for media portrayal and PR. Of course he’s an ambitious rider himself and knows exactly what makes a great video and photo. Three experts in their own fields and one team when it comes to track design, construction and promotion.
What’s in a name?
In 2016, the EVO Bike Park opened its doors for the first time, offering four trails - Blue, Red, Black and the Double Black Mamba. The concept of evolution is ever present in the philosophy of the park, not just present in its name. “Built by riders for riders” is the real deal here. Over the past few years, three further
trails have been added, ensuring that riders are able to evolve with the trails. Consequently, the Evo Bike Park has caught the attention and respect of riders from the relative beginner to the international pro-elite. The challenge was to build slopes which are fun for beginners and advanced alike. Every autumn, as the season comes to a close, the park plays host to a freeride jam session. For this year, the three guys have been dropping hints about a triple black jump line, an evolutionary step in the Fest Series, plus a small but exclusive field of elite riders signaling the arrival of Olympic level riding at the Evo Bike Park.