Bizet is currently travelling in New Zealand and it looks like we'll be seeing more of him soon.
Antoine, congratulations on winning the People's Choice Award at Red Bull Rampage. Why do you think the viewers voted for you and what was your reaction?
Thank you, it feels really good! It's never easy for me to talk objectively about my own performance, but I put in the best run I could on the day. I was insanely stoked! Apparently the spectators liked my run too, so it feels brilliant. Day by day I realise how special the prize is. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I'm already thinking about how I can put on an even better show next year!
What do you generally think about your run and your rating?
I was very happy with my run. Compared to last year, I was much faster, more controlled and had better tricks. I'm most happy about my backflip on the ridge and the frontflip on the step-down. Normally I never comment on my scores, but after watching the replays I think I was definitely 8-9 points short. So I'm pretty disappointed. Some of the other riders told me: "Come on, Bizet, don't make a big deal out of it. You were scored too low, it happens to all of us," but I'll talk about it. I trained hard for the biggest event of the year and when you think you almost deserved 10 points more, it feels really bad. However, with the People's Choice Award, it's fantastic to know that I got so much support.
How did you plan your run? What goes through your mind when you tackle such daring lines?
Like most of the others, I improved my line from the previous year. I teamed up with Tommy G and built a big drop. Unfortunately, it didn't work because we slipped off the landing just before the final. As a result, my step-down, on which I showed the front flip, was the new main feature. Riding these lines is completely crazy! You realise that because of the cliffs everywhere, the consequences of making a mistake are more severe than at any other event. We're all extremely focussed and nervous before we drop in, but when you're ready to go and just "send", there's no better feeling!
Tell us something about your ROSE, what is your setup?
My ROSE SOUL FIRE is equipped with pedals from HT Components, handlebars, stem and wheels from SPANK, brakes from TRP, saddle and grips from Fabric and tyres from Michelin. I prefer air suspension on my bike. I can set my bike up extremely hard for rampages or big jumps, or softer for the bike park or rough terrain. What I like most is how light the bike is, which makes it very playful and easy to carry to the summit. What's more, the black and yellow colour combination is simply awesome!
You were injured for a long time this season. What was the rehab process like and how did you get fit again for Red Bull Rampage?
Yes, my ankle has been causing me problems all year. In July, I finally decided to have it operated on and get myself fit for Rampage again with as much rehab as possible. I trained extremely hard for two months and in the end it paid off. It was a difficult decision to have the operation, but I think it was the right one.
What are your plans for next year? Which events are you looking forward to the most?
I'm planning to ride some of the big FMB slopestyle events next year. However, I also want to have more time for freeriding and filming. I already have some awesome projects planned for the winter, so there will be more news soon.
So can we look forward to new film material from you in the near future?
Yes, exactly! I filmed a lot during Red Bull Rampage and I definitely want to do more in that direction in 2018. There used to be the "From Bizet With Love" series, which I really liked. Hopefully we can continue that soon. I also want to do a big bike edit and a slopestyle edit throughout the season next year. I really like filming as I can show my style better there than at contests.
What are your plans for the off-season?
My plan for the off-season is the best I've ever had. I'm going to spend the whole winter in New Zealand with my ROSE SOUL FIRE and THE BRUCE. I bought a van a few days ago and will be travelling to the best spots all over New Zealand. A surfboard and a unicycle would be fun too though... My main goal though is to get a season pass for Queenstown and just ride freeride and downhill all winter. You can follow everything on my Facebook and Instagram page.
How did you get involved in the Big Mountain events in the first place?
I loved playing with the shovel as a child. I always built jumps exactly how I wanted them, no matter where I was. As a former gymnast, I also like to compete in competitions. The mixture of all this and the fact that I grew up with the New World Disorder films led naturally to Big Mountain Events.
If you could drive your SOUL FIRE anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A trip to the Gobi Desert would be awesome. The terrain there looks fantastic and it would be a really cool adventure to get to know the culture there at the same time. I hope to have the opportunity to go biking there one day.
More information about ROSE Bikes at: www.rosebikes.com and Antoine's SOUL FIRE can be found HERE.
The replay of the live broadcast of Red Bull Rampage can be found at HERE.
