The impromptu Pro flatland contest at Pro Freestyle set off the BMX discipline in a big way. The creme de la creme of the flatland world squeezed in the comp on Friday, a day before their World Flatland League contest in Cologne, Germany which is just an hour away. The qualification rounds were held indoors in a small room but when it was time for the finals, the gladiators took on a corner of the park course to do battle for a podium spot. 8 riders rode the first round which was cut to four. Dominik Nekolny (CZE), Matthias Dandois (FRA), Dub (CAN) and Alex Jumelin (FRA) got to ride three more times in the final to impress the judges. With Scott O'Brien (USA) on the microphone Heerlen got to see the world's best flatland riders do their thing. Original tricks, crazy combos, each rider had his own style. Of course it's better not to touch, but doing 5 year old tricks wasn't going to cut it in Heerlen.
Matthias Dandois stayed on the most and brought enough flow and smoothness to the floor for first place. Alex Jumelin had his boomerang combo's dialled to move up to second place just in
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.