On Saturday, China played host for the first time ever to the FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. The NIGHT of the JUMPs World Tour put together its finest line-up of riders for the scrutiny of the assembled Guangdong bigwigs and the Chinese Motorsport Federation. The occasion was enhanced by the presence of the two Red Bull drivers, Josh Sheehan (AUS) and Petr Pilat (CZE). Unfortunately, the 2011 world champion Javier Villegas had to drop out at short notice due to injury.
As early as the qualifying stage, it was apparent who was going to cope best with the rock-hard surface in the Guangzhou International Sports Arena.
The top three positions in qualification went to Remi Bizouard (FRA), Maikel Melero (ESP) and ‘comeback kid’ Josh Sheehan (AUS). Also leaving the rest of the field standing were David Rinaldo (FRA), Libor Podmol (CZE) and Brice Izzo (FRA). The four best-placed riders in the FIM World Championship had thus booked themselves a place in the final. But before that, there was a spectacular Best Whip contest which had the Chinese crowd on the edge of their seats. Anyone subscribing to the cliché of the reserved, politely smiling Asian will have found the occasion in Guangzhou something of a revelation. The spectators in the hall lauded the Whip contest winner Josh Sheehan as if he had just won the World Championship itself.
The fans had the opportunity to cool off during the half-time break, but the Chinese applause machine cranked back up to full volume with the riders contesting the MAXXIS Highest Air receiving further vociferous support. The winner was Massimo Bianconcini (ITA) who cleared the bar at 8.90 metres. He prevailed in a head-to-head with Libor Podmol to come a step closer to winning the TAG Heuer timepiece for the MAXXIS Highest Air overall winner.
The finale saw the expected duel between Remi Bizouard and Libor Podmol, this time with the Frenchman coming off best. But playing gooseberry on this occasion was Spanish rider Maikel Melero who was on magnificent form, finishing second and recording his best NIGHT of the JUMPS result to date. Meanwhile, Brice Izzo had to settle for sixth place. Fifth position was taken by his compatriot David Rinaldo. After seven successive podium finishes in his previous NIGHT of the JUMPS engagement, a now fully fit Josh Sheehan just missed out on the podium for a change. He made a small mistake on his final run which almost certainly deprived him of a better result. Following the contest, he confirmed that he is 100% back in contention and committed to joining the podium party on Day 2 of the Chinese Grand Prix.
With a fourth victory of the season, Remi Bizouard marginally extended his lead in the overall standings over Libor Podmol. But with one day to go here in Guangzhou, the pack may yet be reshuffled.
Results Final
1. Remi Bizouard FRA RFME Honda 396 Points
2. Maikel Melero ESP RFME KTM 378 Points
3. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Yamaha 371 Points
4. Josh Sheehan AUS MA Honda 358 Points
5. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 353 Points
6. Brice Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 315 Points
Results Qualification
1. Remi Bizouard FRA RFME Honda 348 Points
2. Maikel Melero ESP RFME KTM 339 Points
3. Josh Sheehan AUS MA Honda 336 Points
4. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 334 Points
5. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Yamaha 330 Points
6. Brice Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 320 Points
7. Petr Pilat CZE ACCR KTM 317 Points
8. Jose Miralles ESP RFME KTM 309 Points
9. Hannes Ackermann GER DMSB KTM 295 Points
10. Massimo Bianconcini ITAL PZM KTM 255 Points
11. Aleskey Koleshnikov RUS MFR Yamaha 240 Points
Results Whip Contest
1. Josh Sheehan AUS MA Honda
Results MAXXIS Highest Air
1. Massimo Bianconcini ITA 8,90 Meter
2. Libor Podmol CZE 8,70 Meter
FIM Freestyle MX World Championships
Ranking (after 8th contest)
1. Remi Bizouard FRA RFME Honda 152 Points
2. Libor Podmol CZE ACCR Yamaha 138 Points
3. Brice Izzo FRA FFM Yamaha 112 Points
4. David Rinaldo FRA FFM Yamaha 102 Points
5. Maikel Melero ESP RFME KTM 72 Points
6. Hannes Ackermann GER DMSB KTM 70 Points
7. Massimo Bianconcini ITAL PZM KTM 65 Points
8. Javier Villegas CHL FMC Yamaha 47 Points
9. Lukas Weis GER DMSB Suzuki 38 Points
10. Ivan Zucconi ITA PZM KTM 37 Points
11. Clinton Moore AUS MA Yamaha 34 Points
12. Jose Miralles ESP RFME KTM 32 Points
13. Aleskey Koleshnikov RUS MFR Yamaha 22 Points
14. Martin Koren CZE ACCR KTM 21 Points
15. Josh Sheehan AUS MA Honda 14 Points
16. Petr Pilat CZE ACCR KTM 9 Points
News
Bizouard and Podmol off to strong start
