Bart de Jong
FISE Experience Reims. Canada, England and The Netherlands on the Pro Park podium. By BdJ
The Fise Experience Tour is a 5-stop series in France put on by the same people who organise the FISE World Tour. In the past they handed out some amazing prizes to the overall winners. Alessandro Barbero (ITA) won a car once and so did Maxime Charveron (FRA). Daniel Wedemeijer (NED) got some cashola and Cam Peake (GBR) was last year's overall winner. Stop number four of 2016 was held in Reims, France which was 'only' a four hour drive for us. Next to Dirt, the event had Park Junior, Amateur and Park Pro on the schedule.
The indoor sports facility in Park Leo Lagrange was turned into a bike park. Even the floor was painted black to match the ramps. If you're familiar with the FISE series, you know what kind of ramps they've got. But every time they are put up in a different way which keeps things interesting. Between the two walls a jump box and that 'spine with a platform' was placed. Each had a hip to the side to keep some kind of flow in the course.
Qualification happened on Saturday. Sunday had the Pro Park finals which were being broadcasted live on TV and the internet.
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.