Bizouard dominates NIGHT of the JUMPs in Ostrava

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Sunday, 20 November 2011 08:20

The FIM Freestyle MX World Championship has entered its decisive phase.

On Saturday night, the CEZ Arena in Ostrava played host to the world’s trickiest riders as they contested the ninth round of the World Championship during NIGHT of the JUMPs.

Four Czech riders lined up for the qualifying stage. Despite a few decent backflips, Tomas Lysacek and Frantisek Maca didn’t make it through to the final round. But never mind, because Red Bull rider Petr Pilat and local hero Libor Podmol won the hearts of the Ostrava fans by progressing into the finale. Accompanying the two Czech riders were the French duo of Brice Izzo and Remi Bizouard. By way of a little bonus, Izzo pulled off a miniflip while Bizouard totally dominated the preliminary round. Current championship leader Javier Villegas (CHL) and Spanish ‘El Loco’ Jose Miralles booked the last two places for the final showdown.

Surprisingly, Maikel Melero (ESP) missed out this time in qualifying, finishing only seventh. And despite a good run, eighth-placed Fabian Bauersachs was also sent for an early bath, a fate that was shared by fellow countryman Lukas Weis and Belgian rider William van den Putte. David Rinaldo put in a solid run that should have been good enough to see him through. But in the double-up, he took a nasty tumble that required medical treatment.

German fans have waited a long time for success in the Race & Style Contest, and it eventually came tonight. Lukas Weis beat off the challenge from Jose Miralles to secure the win bonus. In the Maxxis Highest Air, Frantisek Maca triumphed with 8.40-metre jump ahead of Jose Miralles, a win that was celebrated tumultuously by the home crowd.

Libor Podmol was contesting his 100th NIGHT of the JUMPs this weekend, but despite making it through to the final, the evening ended in anticlimax. First, he crashed in free practice while attempting a tandem backflip with his brother. Then on his penultimate jump in the final, he crashed into the perimeter board and was unable to continue. So he ended in sixth place, the worst result he has ever posted in his home town.

Even so, the Czech crowd had good grounds for optimism as Petr Pilat was still flying the national flag. With tricks such a One-Hand-Takeoff Backflip and Tsunami Flip, he earned himself a place on the podium and was surpassed only by Javier Villegas and Remi Bizouard. Villegas once again completed a strong run, but was well beaten on the night by Bizouard who was not only on a new bike but also back to peak form with Ruler Flip, Cliffhanger Flip and Hart Attack Flip. Brice Izzo ruled himself out of contention for a podium finish with a botched miniflip. And even Jose Miralles could finish no higher than fifth.

In the overall standings, Javier Villegas continues to hold Remi Bizouard at bay. But the Frenchman succeeded in reducing Chilean rider’s lead to 21 points, thereby opening up the World Championship once again. In the ensuing press conference, Javier was quick to announce that he will see off the challenge from Remi in the upcoming events.

The FMX professionals have only a few days rest, because rounds 10 and 11 of the World Championship are scheduled for next weekend in the context of NIGHT of the Jumps at the Ergo Arena in Gdansk.

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