FATBMX Your Online BMX News Resource Since 1998

BACK FROM INJURY! First session at the track | BMX Racing

BMX Couples – Merel Smulders & Mathis Ragot Richard. Two different flags, one shared passion. Dutch speed machine Merel Smulders and French powerhouse Mathis Ragot Richard are both competing at the highest level of BMX Racing, chasing podiums across the globe while balancing life as a couple. From Olympic medals to European titles, from airport lounges to start hills, this BMX duo knows what it takes to stay on top. We caught up with them to talk long-distance love, racing for the same brand, creative projects, language struggles, and what the future holds. Time for another FATBMX “BMX Couples” edition.

FATBMX “BMX Couples” Interview

Old clips from 2025 slapped together to make something sick.

Inside a Pro BMX Racer’s Daily Training & Recovery Routine | Lexis Colby

Join me for a day of training in Florida at Oldsmar BMX and Sarasota BMX as I prepare for the USA BMX season opener! I'm having a blast getting in some great riding, so I figured I'd make a video showcasing what it looks like! If you enjoyed this video, leave a like, and let me know down in the comments!

What It Really Takes to Race BMX at the Top | Oliver Moran

Number 2 in the BMX Couples series. Welcome Mariana Pajon and Vincent Pelluard, who together did welcome son Théo just recently. Read on to find out how they manage to keep training and preparing, and handle the family situation together at home. 

You’re both elite-level BMX racers with long careers at the top. What does it actually take—day in, day out—to stay competitive at that level for so many years?
Honestly, being at the top of the world for so many years is incredible. We don’t really feel it that way, though. We still feel like those dreamer kids who one day thought their biggest goal was simply to reach the top. Now, looking back at everything we’ve been through, everything we’ve won, and everything we’ve learned along the way, it’s amazing. But we still feel like the same people who started riding, the ones who learned to ride a bike one day and we still enjoy it just as much. That’s the best part: continuing to enjoy it. I feel like nothing has really changed. The same passion is still there.

Being a couple and racing at the highest level isn’t exactly common in BMX. How do you support each other when results are great—and especially when they’re not?
We met on the world circuit many years ago, so we know what it’s like to be there for each other at the highest highs and also at the lowest lows. When one of us is doing well, it truly feels like a win for both of us. And when one of us is injured, has a crash, or is simply frustrated with a result that didn’t meet

Hurricane PARKS announces a new collaboration with Thomas Hamon, one of the world’s leading experts in BMX Race track design, strengthening its design office and accelerating the development of next-generation urban sports infrastructures. Widely recognized for designing the BMX Race tracks for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Thomas Hamon brings proven international expertise across elite competition venues, national training facilities, and major event infrastructures. His contribution supports Hurricane PARKS’ ambition to continuously raise the bar in performance, safety, and long-term infrastructure design.

Expertise driving the evolution of Hurricane PARKS’ Urban Sports solutions

By contributing his expertise to the Hurricane PARKS design office, Thomas Hamon will support the company in:

-elevating technical standards in quality, safety, and performance;
-strengthening the development of BMX Race infrastructures, alongside skateparks, BMX parks, and pumptracks;
-supporting large-scale international projects and major sporting events;

Foggy Sunday Morning session at Papendal with Justin Kimmann, Rik Ouwendorp, Loris Reker, Meredith van der Haar and Hugo Heijne.

Bmx racer Michael Bias, a New Zealand legend of BMX racing in New Zealand
Today, we're checking out a cool training session with Mata, his brother, and Auckland’s up-and-coming junior elite BMX riders gearing up for the UCI World Championships in Brisbane, July 2026.
We're at the North Harbour BMX Track in Auckland, known for its tough layout and fast surface. With both a 5-metre and an 8-metre start hill, this track is vital for riders aiming to shine on the world stage.
North Harbour isn't just any BMX club. It's a place where talent grows, helping riders sharpen their skills, racing smarts, and handle pressure. This is where dreams are built and future champions are made.
Michael Bias is a top BMX racer from New Zealand, known for his dedication and love for the sport. He started riding at North Harbour BMX Club as a kid, and what began as a fun hobby turned serious. By his teens, he made waves on the national scene, known for his powerful starts and smooth jumps.
Michael has represented New Zealand at many international events, showing that talent from a small nation can compete globally. Beyond his own success, he inspires younger riders from North Harbour, mentoring them and teaching the value of hard work and consistency.
Despite facing injuries and setbacks, Michael's persistence keeps him coming back stronger. His journey shows what can be achieved with passion and commitment, leaving a legacy that will motivate New Zealand riders for years.
As we gather at North Harbour, we highlight its role in shaping local talent, with its well-maintained tracks serving the next generation of BMX racers.
It's crucial to support young riders ages 10 to 12, as this is where they build skills and confidence, preparing for higher competition levels.
Today, we'll get insights from Matatini, his brother, and their Tahitian friend as they share their training experiences. They’re dedicated to perfecting techniques and race dynamics, showing passion for the sport even when there are no races coming up.
We’ll explore their training routines, the friendships forming, and the emotional challenges they face with postponed races. We'll also spotlight the young racers in the 10, 11, and 12 categories, as well as older teens, who inspire each other and lead the BMX community.

BMX racing at an elite level demands courage, emotional smarts, and physical fitness. These riders are on their path to follow in the footsteps of stars like Michael Bias and Olympian Rico Bearman, who both hail from North Harbour.