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Final FMX countdown in Brazil: Who will be crowned FIM Freestyle MX World Champion?
Next Sunday sees the long-awaited final round of the 2010 NIGHT of the JUMPs / FIM Freestyle MX World Championship. Twelve freestyle motocross riders will be lining up in the Estadio Casteloa in Fortaleza for the showdown in this year’s FMX world title. Centre of attention will be the duel at the top between Libor Podmol and Brice Izzo. Will the Czech at last succeed in adding a champion’s trophy to his collection of three silver medals and one bronze, or will he be pipped at the post by the impressive Frenchman?
After twelve rounds, Libor Podmol is in the championship lead with 202 points. Just six behind is Brice Izzo who was on absolute top form in Vienna where he performed a series of mini backflips on the edge of the landing mound. What’s more, Brazil seems to bring out the best in the small French rider. Two years ago, he posted his first IMXF victory in Fortaleza and then went on to win a medal in the Brazilian X Games. By contrast, Podmol threw away the runner-up spot last year at the same venue and had to settle for third. So it promises to be a battle of nerves.
But it won’t just be down to the two front-runners to lay on the most extreme display of tricks ever to grace the Brazilian arena. The other competitors will also be intent on showing off their repertoire to bring their own season to a satisfying conclusion and stake a claim for inclusion in the 2011 tour. For example, Remi Bizouard who had a horrible crash in Vienna that cost him an almost certain podium finish, though fortunately, he didn’t injure himself. However, the (still) reigning champion will certainly be aiming to sign off with a victory. But even a win for the Frenchman in Fortaleza will not be enough to displace Jose Miralles from third. He is a cert for bronze now, as he has virtually no prospect of closing the 18-point gap on Podmol and 12-point gap on Izzo.
Massimo Bianconcini (ITA) could overtake the absent Brody Wilson to claim fifth overall. For the two Germans, Fabian Bauersachs and Hannes Ackermann, it’s a matter of putting in clean runs to consolidate their Top Ten rankings.
It will be interesting to see whether David Rinaldo can repeat his performance of the NIGHT of the JUMPs in Mannheim, when he had the spectators and the judges in raptures with his Doublegrab Backflip und 1-Hand 9-0’Clock. Local Brazilian rider Marcelo will also be back on the championship track. He has already scored a few points this season at the two Grands Prix in Turkey. Will he be performing backflips in front of his home crowd for the first time?
Javier Villegas will be lining up for his debut NIGHT of the JUMPs. The Chilean rider has been making his mark during 2010 and will be highly motivated for this big event on his home continent.
The field is completed by the two Brazilians, Gilmar Flores and Claudio Queiroz. Flores was a revelation last year with his many flip combos and his qualification for the final. By contrast, Rocha is an unknown quantity.
Entry List:
Libor Podmol (CZE)
Brice Izzo (FRA)
Jose Miralles (ESP)
Remi Bizouard (FRA)
Massimo Bianconcini (ITA)
Fabian Bauersachs (GER)
Hannes Ackermann (GER)
David Rinaldo (FRA)
Marcelo Simoes (BRA)
Javier Villegas (CHI)
Gilmar Flores (BRA)
Claudio Queiroz Rocha (BRA)
