What we learnt

 

We've finally had a few moments to breathe after the insanity that was FISE World Series (FWS) Montpellier 2018. Over 515,000 people attended over the 5 days, making it was one of the best yet (apart from the heavy rain on the last day).   

 

With two events down in this year's FWS tour there's masses to talk about after our stopover in France. Here's a run-down on the biggest talking points to date. 

 

 

Many people had their money on last year's winners, Hannah Roberts (UCI BMX Freestyle Women's World Cup) and Julien Cudot (World Skate Roller Freestyle World Cup), to steal the show and take victory in their respective competitions. Much to everyone's surprise, neither of them made the podium and two athletes took their first ever FISE World Series win.  

 

Nicolas Servy came out of the gates with lots of energy, showing a mix of big air moves and smooth lines around the park to come out on top in the Roller Freestyle. In the Women's BMX Freestyle, Minato Oike pulled out the performance of her life to claim victory at Montpellier – an emotionally charged ride, she clearly impressed the judges as well as the Montpellier crowd.  

 

It’s anybody's game across all competitions in FWS 2018 – perhaps we might see some fresh faces top the podium? Only time will tell...

 

 

 

 

A few months ago, fans were gutted to hear that BMX favourite "Machine" Logan Martin had broken his collarbone after a nasty fall in training. People wondered how long it would take for him to recuperate and start shredding again.  

 

Fans were stunned that Logan recovered in time for FISE Montpellier and they all went mental when he threw out the most insane tricks to take 2nd place in the second leg of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup. It was almost like he had never been gone! 

 

After missing the first leg in Hiroshima, and possibly some crucial points, we might see the greatest comeback in FISE history if Logan ends up top of the rankings by the time we get to Chengdu.  

 

 

We've seen an incredible number of Japanese athletes take FWS 2018 by storm so far. Every  competition podium in Montpellier was proof of this:  

 

• Moto Sasaki came 3rd in Leg 2 of the UCI BMX Flatland World Cup 

 

• Ikeda Daisuke tops the rankings in Skateboard Street competition, having come 1st and 2nd in Hiroshima and Montpellier respectively 

 

• Minato Oike claimed victory in Leg 2 of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park Women’s World Cup (as mentioned above)  

 

With 3 more stops to go until FWS ends, how many more Japanese athletes can make it on to the podium?

 

 

 

We've already spoken about Nicolas Servy going "au maximum" in the Roller Freestyle, but he wasn't the only Frenchman to save their best performances for the eyes of the home crowd.  

 

Vincent Milou turned on the flair in the Skateboard Street Final to take home gold. FISE favourite Matthias Dandois unleashed his full arsenal of tricks to win the second leg of the UCI BMX Flatland World Cup.  

 

And let's not forget those who also found a space on the podium. Romain Godenaire (Roller Freestyle), Alex Jumelin (BMX Flatland), Aurelien Giraud (Skateboard), and Tomas Lemoine (MTB Slopestyle) each made it into the top three of their competitions. The question remains – can they do it away from home?

 

 

 

It came. It saw. It conquered.  

 

This year's Scooter Freestyle contest was among the most memorable yet. There's plenty of exciting up-and-coming talent, with riders such as Dante Hutchinson, Dylan Morrison and Tyler Chaffin making a lasting impression on the Montpellier crowd. But it was American Clayton Lindley who tore up the new park with some jaw-dropping tricks.  

 

We can't wait to see what else these guys have in store at our next stop in Edmonton.

 

 

Miss any of the action from FWS Montpellier? Watch all the competitions in their entirety plus highlights on FISE YouTube.