Anthony Jeanjean treats himself to his first Fise de Montpellier: “It’s magical”

He has already won World Cups. But this one, inevitably, warms his heart even more and brings tears to his eyes. In front of his audience, great favorite and French darling, Anthony Jeanjean offered himself, on Saturday, a new prestigious success at the Montpellier International Extreme Sports Festival, his 2nd World Cup victory of the season, in two stages. And above all, his first trophy as winner of the Fise, like Laury Perez, also titled.

Before joining the blue staff on the other side of the park, tricolor flag on their shoulders, the first to jump over the railing to congratulate him is none other than the creator of Fise, Hervé André-Benoît, euphoric. Jeanjean reminds us every year, it was here that he saw BMX for the first time, that he tested this bike, that he did his first competitions.

“I remember my first steps on the banks of the Lez

with my parents when I was ten years old, he smiles, after his very emotional podium, alongside the Australian Brandon Loupos (2019 world champion) and the British Declan Brooks (2021 Olympic bronze medalist). Here I am fifteen years later on the top step of the podium, so it’s incredible, I’m so happy. Lots of emotions and a lot of pride. It is magic. »

Several members of the world’s top players chose to skip the Hérault event to prepare for the two Olympic qualifying tournaments in Shanghai (May 16-19) and Budapest (June 20-23). Not him. The bronze medalist of the 2022 World Championships chose to make Fise a step in his preparation for the Olympics, where he will aim for Olympic gold after his 7th place in Tokyo.

“I couldn’t have better training than the Fise in Montpellier to prepare for the Olympics this summer, with this public who supports me enormously every year”

“I couldn’t have better training than the Fise in Montpellier to prepare for the Olympics this summer, with this public who supports me enormously every year,” assures Jeanjean, four World Cup victories under the belt. I felt very good on the runs and handled the pressure quite well. That was the goal, to make two perfect runs. I could have put a little more on the second one. I tried, it didn’t go exactly as planned. It doesn’t matter because I already had a big first run, so I’m really happy. »

First international success for Laury Perez

“It would have been a plus to look for something else on the 2nd run, to work a little more, but above all, the objective was victory, so we can only be satisfied,” appreciates Jean-Baptiste Peytavit, coach of the French team and Jeanjean. He absolutely wanted to participate in Fise so we included him in the planning. With the French public, the pressure is the closest to what we will find at the Olympics, perhaps even more than what there will be at the Olympics. It’s good training for that aspect because he knows how to do BMX and competitions. What is really important is more the moment, with the public, the pressure. »

The French clan will fly to China on Sunday, and the Shanghai qualifying tournament, with Kevin Fabregue and Laury Perez, who also won three hours later, a year after her very first World Cup podium. and his 3rd place thanks to a unique figure. The bronze medalist of the European Championships offers herself her very first international success, during a competition without the Americans and the Chinese, who have reigned on the circuit in recent years and whom she should return to this summer. But for now, Jeanjean and Perez can enjoy their first crown at Fise. Full of confidence, at home, before the big summer events.