“It’s huge, especially since we’ve been waiting for this for a while! » At BMX Roller Skate in Troyes, there is no one more enthusiastic than Didier Audigé, 73 years old, including 42 years spent at the club. The honorary president and founder of the BRST is enjoying like a child the brand new BMX Park Indoor created at the Henri-Terré sports complex in the capital of Aube.
This hall dedicated to the practice of freestyle is located right next to the BMX Race track and its start 8 meters away, which makes it an international level structure. With this room and an outdoor area of dirt moguls for tricks, “the entire site will allow us to practice all year round in all weathers,” rejoices Didier Audigé.
“The small ones, the medium ones, the big ones… everyone is happy and that will allow us to train future champions,” continues the president. Created in 1984, the Trojan club is a pioneer in Troyes and Aube and among the pioneers in France, in the practice of these disciplines from the other side of the Atlantic (BMX, mountain biking for dirt, rollerblading, skateboarding but also scootering).
“Indoors, it’s true that we are lucky”
“It was discovered in the United States in the 1970s and we are still a little ten years behind the Americans, as in all sports,” recalls Didier Audigé. Starting from a first BMX track then an outdoor bowl, the BRST and the other Trojan club of the UVCAT were able to benefit from the overall support of the city of Troyes and the co-financing of the department of Aube for this new indoor and outdoor site, already a reference in the Grand Est.
A little more than 3 million euros were notably invested in this Indoor BMX Park fitted out by an Aube company, Hoverall. “We are happy that the call for tenders was won by a local company which is one of the market leaders and we can tip our hats to them,” underlines Frédéric Serra, deputy mayor of Troyes in charge of sports. When we have a local service provider, it allows us to smooth out corners and refine details that were not necessarily seen in the specifications. »
While waiting for decorative elements to complete the equipment, Franck Cassano, coach and emblematic figure of the BRST, welcomes the creation of this equipment that the Trojan club had in mind for several years. “There are more and more of them in France… but, indoors, it’s true that we are lucky,” emphasizes Franck Cassano, seduced by the quality of the installations.
“Maximum ten in France”
“Frankly, with the mesh part which is a little more flexible, it allows you to land a little on mattresses, and that indoors, there aren’t many… max. ten in France! » The space was designed with a “street” section and movable modules with small rails. “It allows you to reproduce a little bit of street furniture,” explains the coach.
In the other part of the room, there are the larger installations which allow you to perform quite spectacular tricks. “For example, the largest ramp is 3.50 meters high. We also have quarter-pipes (springboards) at 2.50 meters in height. You really have to arrive very, very quickly to be able to go above, do a figure called an Air and therefore go over the ramps. » Franck Cassano continues with words of technical jargon… We will understand that we are really dealing with heavy stuff.
Moreover, the club’s 165 members are already attracted, like Eliott, aged 8. “Honestly, I love it, I keep riding it, it’s so good! », greets the young rider who has been practicing BMX since the age of 3. “Me,” he said, “I’m more of a jumper. I don’t really like racing, I’m more of a freestyler. I’ve been waiting for this room for a long time. Frankly, I’m super happy with the result.”
Two days of competition in May
Another happy beneficiary, Tess Gastaldello, 8 years old, one of the club’s most serious hopes who placed 2nd in the last Trophées de France (a sort of French BMX Championship dedicated to young people) in her age category. This breed specialist can therefore take the time to discover freestyle. “Because since I’m a little afraid when I jump, it teaches me a little to jump and gain confidence in myself,” she explains.
For his part, Franck Cassano already has his sights set on Roula 3, a freestyle BMX competition that the BRST is relaunching this year after 9 years of absence and 20 years after its creation. A relaunch made possible by the creation of this room and the renovation recently carried out by the town hall on the bowl of Troyes, rue des Fossés Patris. This is where a first day of demonstration will take place on Friday May 1st… Before two days of competition, May 2nd and 3rd, in the indoor freestyle complex. Something to delight old and young alike!
