<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Since last Wednesday, FISE Montpellier has transformed the Occitan city into the world capital of urban sports, welcoming nearly <strong>300,000 visitors</strong> and <strong>1,500 international athletes</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Seven sports</strong> were featured, including <strong>four Olympic disciplines for Paris 2024 </strong>(BMX Freestyle Park, Skateboarding, Breaking, and 3x3 Basketball), with more than <strong>80 elite competition</strong><strong>s</strong>, including<strong> four World Cup stops</strong>. The level of competition lived up to the high expectations throughout this Ascension Week.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the standout moments of this 28th edition was the <strong>kickoff of the UCI BMX Freestyle Park World Cup</strong>. French rider <strong>Anthony Jeanjean</strong>, bronze medalist in Paris last summer, claimed second place, starting his season strong on home turf in front of a fully supportive crowd. He was up against the best in the world, including Olympic champions <strong>Logan Martin</strong> (2020) and <strong>Jose Gil Torres</strong> (2024), but it was <strong>American Marcus Christopher</strong> who upset the predictions and took the win.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the women’s side, <strong>China’s </strong><strong>Sibei Sun </strong>delivered a masterful run to secure the top spot in the World Cup.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <strong>Skateboard Street</strong>, a brand-new battle format led to an explosive all-French final between <strong>Joseph Garbaccio</strong> and <strong>Max Berguin</strong>. Olympian Garbaccio ultimately triumphed with a highly technical run, cheered on by a fiery crowd.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another major highlight of FISE was the <strong>UCI BMX Flatland World Cup</strong>, which, as tradition goes, closed out the five-day festival on Sunday. The eight finalists delivered next-level performances that continue to raise the bar each year, thrilling an electric crowd. Absent from the competition, <strong>ten-time world champion Matthias Dandois</strong>, who retired here in 2024, was in attendance to support his fellow riders. In a symbolic moment, he passed the torch to the next generation, embodied by <strong>19-year-old Julien Baran</strong>, who earned his very first World Cup podium with an impressive second place. The victory went to <strong>Japan’s Yu Shoji</strong>, untouchable on Sunday with incredibly inventive and precise tricks. The third spot was claimed by fellow Japanese talent <strong>Yu Katagiri</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>French women athletes</strong> made their mark at this 28th edition, dominating several podiums. In <strong>Scooter Street, Joséphine Zgorski</strong> defended her title and confirmed her status as queen of the discipline, ahead of fellow French rider <strong>Romane Gilliet</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <strong>Roller Freestyle Park</strong>, while Brazil’s <strong>Ana Julia Silva</strong> took first place,<strong> Lilou Fumery </strong>and<strong> Carla Pasquinelli</strong> proudly secured French spots on the podium, and <strong>Armelle Tisler</strong> delivered a solid sixth-place performance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <strong>Breaking</strong>, Olympian<strong> Bgirl Carlota </strong>earned a bronze medal, finishing behind <strong>Bgirl Samantha</strong> (Ukraine) and <strong>Bgirl Royal</strong> (China), who wowed all the judges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">An undeniable crowd magnet at FISE, the <strong>Spine Ramp</strong> once again lit up the nights of Montpellier with three unforgettable evening sessions. In Skateboarding, Scooter, and BMX, riders went all in with bold runs, world-first tricks, and unmatched energy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Special mention goes to <strong>Skateboarding</strong>, which made a highly anticipated comeback on this iconic module, delivering a performance level worthy of the biggest international contests.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Among the most emotional moments on the Spine: the farewell of <strong>British BMX legend Mark Webb</strong>, who officially retired under FISE’s spotlights. It was a moving tribute to a career deeply tied to the event that helped launch him, met with a thunderous ovation. Beside him on Saturday night was another icon, <strong>Australia’s Ryan Williams</strong>, there to share the moment in a celebration full of respect, camaraderie, and legacy.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <strong>Scooter Freestyle Park</strong>, all eyes were on French riders <strong>Esteban Clot</strong> and <strong>Timon Pharabod</strong>. Unfortunately, Clot had to withdraw due to an injury in training, and Pharabod, despite a strong showing, couldn’t land the run he aimed for and finished in sixth place. The title went to <strong>Czech rider Matej Petarek</strong>, who confirmed his top form after an impressive performance on the Spine Ramp Friday night.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the week’s most popular sports,<strong> Parkour</strong>, once again lived up to the hype. Two <strong>FIG World Cup events</strong> were held: Speed and Freestyle, both delivering hotly contested podiums.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <strong>Freestyle</strong>, Frenchman<strong> Eloan Hitz</strong> took a strong third place, behind American <strong>Shea Rudolph</strong> and Italian<strong> Lautaro Chialvo Bantle</strong>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Among the women, <strong>Mexico’s Ella Bucio</strong>, runner-up in Montpellier last year, claimed a well-deserved revenge victory with a commanding performance.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In <strong>Speed, Sweden’s Miranda Tibbling</strong> dominated the women’s event on Saturday, while<strong> Czech athlete Jaroslav Chum</strong>, last year’s winner; defended his title.<strong> France’s Sacha Fontaine</strong> finished sixth.</div><div> </div>