If you want to get a spot to watch the BMX events at the FISE in Montpellier, France, you better show up early. Before you know it there is no more empty spot on the riverbank or at the Spine mini to watch from. The FISE has always been an event about the crowd and it's safe to say that there is no other BMX contest on the schedule that draws more people. The multi sport event brings a BMX Flatland contest, BMX street comp, Spine contest and for the first year the official UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup was added to the program. Next to the regional contest, the FISE also pays attention to the amateurs classes, girls and masters, plus it's possible for any pro rider to sign up and compete. The event started on Wednesday and the last comp ended on Sunday 8 May.
A record breaker: On Thursday alone, 160.000 people found their way to the riverbed in Montpellier. It was a record breaker in the FISE books and already at Amateur Park in the morning the banks had filled up with people who wanted to see the riding on the park course. The first Pro final happened on Friday night. In front of the
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You know the contest set-up is good when right after the event is over everyone grabs their bike to ride some more. The Pro Street event at this year's FISE attracted riders from all corners of the earth including American Reed Stark who unfortunately dislocated his shoulder but shook it back into socket himself like nothing happened. With David Budko (LIT), Joris Coulomb (FRA), Courage Adams (ESP), Foune Cissé (FRA) and loads more talent on the course, the crowd was ready for a treat. The street set-up was split in four sections with a 30-minute session reserved for each part of the course. From the first minute to the last riders went one-by one doing what they had in mind, or at least to give it a shot. Going oppo, switch, backwards, upwards or down, the judges kept a close eye on the riding that was going on.
If there was one rider who killed it at this year's edition, it's Courage Adams. The Red Bull rider stuck to the lines he wanted to pull and did so on many occasions. It was clear for everyone that he was the rider who had stepped it up the most. Courage
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.