Just finally got a press release about the big news that we broke earlier this month:

“Ipath Footwear, fresh off of strong showings at the recent Long Beach and New York City Agenda trade shows, has formed a BMX team led by industry legend, Van Homan. Homan, an X-Games medalist in street, dirt, and park is joined by fellow team members Seth Kimbrough, Shane Weston and Alex Magallan.

While Ipath’s roots run deep in skate, they have been widely accepted and welcomed into both the BMX and surf communities as the lifestyle footwear brand for the active youth culture.

Ipath will feature several styles launching in Fall 2012 to support their new BMX team.

Please visit ipath.com for more information.”

The BMX part of the site no longer exists and there isn’t a link to the BMX team page anymore, which is odd, but I’m sure they have a new one in the works.

UPDATE: Whoops, spoke too soon. The iPath BMX team are listed along with the skate team on their “family” page. Probably the only company I’ve ever seen put their skate and BMX pro’s on the same team page like this.

UPDATE 2: Brian Osborne (who is now the iPath TM) just texted me saying that Chester Blacksmith, Raul Ruiz and Brian Yeagle are still on the team despite not being on the current team page.

You already know that Van left Orchid for iPath but here’s Derek’s official statement on the split:

“You may have heard by now that Van Homan has moved on to greener pastures, or so they say. For the first time in 14 years we won’t be working together in some form or fashion. I just wanted to take this opportunity to say thanks for everything, but that would hardly sum up how I feel. Van has been like a little brother to me since we first met back in 1996. We’ve been through a lot more than the typical sponsor/sponsoree relationship. We’ve been room mates, travel companions, band mates, partners in crime, trail digging buddies, best man (yikes), but most of all, good friends for 16 years. Through all of that, we built a bmx empire together complete with indoor bowls and poker lounges. We’ve kinda done it all, it’s been a wild ride. As with any brothers we might not always agree or see eye to eye, but in the end we both know we love each other. And honestly, I’m kind of looking forward to being back where we started. No expectations, no business stuff confusing anything, kind of the way it should be. I’m just glad we made it through to the other side. One day hopefully we’ll have stories to tell the grand kids.

PS: and to the dudes who snatched him up, you made a good investment. Just take care of my little bro or I’ll fuck you up.”

This has been common knowledge for a few months but apparently it’s official since this photo was taken at the iPath booth at Agenda.

Here’s Van and Niki’s split ender section from 2011′s “Footwork”. You can still pick up a copy here.

UPDATE: Whoops, this hasn’t happened in a while:

Van just emailed me this file so I put it up on Youtube. Awesome footage of the Two By Four team riding Woodward for a day and edited by Wiz to a Ramones song… all is still right in the world.

As long as we’re on the subject of grips, you’ve gotta watch this. This chick is the future of BMX.

Van Homan tells you all about the bike he’s currently riding on, but more importantly, he rides it plenty in this new video from Fit.

“Join Shawn McIntosh, Tom Dugan, Mike Aitken, Ben Lewis, and Van Homan as they roll through NorCal shops – Calabazas Cyclery, Schwinn City, and Clayton Bicycles….and do some shredding with the locals. Peace.“- Fit

Mike Aitken, Tom Dugan, Van Homan, Ben Lewis and Shawn McIntosh will be visiting three shops in California next weekend. Check the flyer for details.

While the Fit/Cult beef seems to have mostly settled down, aside from Robbie and Moeller’s recent Albion interviews sparking it up again for a moment, one person who hasn’t said much about the issue is Fit team rider (and as of a few months ago, team manager), Van Homan. That changed today when a few kids spoke ill of Fit on the Fit Facebook and Van chose to speak out:

“Robbie is funny and he has great energy that’s way he’s so good at what he does. The guy was like a big brother to me. I bought into his fit”family”. He didn’t have a problem with leaving his “family” for the young bright stars with shining futures. Smart business maybe…. Family….no. And is anyone curious why foster got a pay cut from fox? I’m guessing that wouldn’t have happened if BFs frame sponsor check said Cult on it. Fuck it I’m tired of holding my tongue. Robo said it best “let’em talk”. PS only issues I have are with Robbie nothing but love for dak chase and chase and the rest of the crew. If they feel they need to carry robos burdens I could understand but I have no issues with them. Don’t bother calling me or back stabbing me over this message Robbie. I’ll just hold tight in expectation of the bullying I’ll receive next time I see you. Bitter as fuck. Stay Fit!”

And then again in response to another comment calling for more professionalism on Van’s part:

“I’ll be honest with you. I’ve spent 2 years being “professional” and I’ve had enough of if. I don’t believe in Robbie morales or what he’s about and I feel really proud to finally put that out in the open regraudless of what repercussions it may have.”

What tangled webs we weave.