FMB champion and slopestyler: Interview with the multi-talented Thomas Genon

Thomas Genon, Team Canyon. The quiet Belgian's list of competition successes is long and impressive. Tommy G started competing in slopestyle at the age of 16. In 2012, he won the prestigious Joyride in Whistler, became FMB World Champ shortly afterwards and dominated in slopestyle. He is also one of the stars at the Rampage.

FREERIDE: Tommy G, you're back at the Red Bull Rampage!

Thomas Genon: Yes. That makes me very happy.

You've already taken part six times. What makes it so appealing?

I want to get better. But I am also proud to be so consistent in my performance. I've finished fifth, sixth twice and fifth again in a row. Not bad, is it?

Could you win too?

I think many of the Rampage riders have what it takes to win. So yes, I can win too. But it really depends on how you're feeling on the final day. What the judges want to see this year also plays an important role. But the Rampage is always a tricky thing. You can't plan anything, there are so many factors involved.

For example? Did your building team get a good line?

Do the judges find your line as impressive as you do? Does the wind put a spanner in the works? And of course: your run. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of bad luck and it's all for nothing.

Semenuk competed on a single crown bike last year and pushed the Rampage towards slopestyle. You are a slopestyler - will you also be competing on such a bike this year?

No, I'm not going to do that. I'm taking my downhiller, a Canyon Sender with a double bridge.

I'm surprised. You could have an advantage.

I don't think Semenuk won because he was riding a single crown bike. He would have won with a double bridge even if he hadn't been able to jump the tailwhip drop. In short: I don't see any advantage in that.

What will change this year?

We change the location. That's good for the Rampage. We go to the area from 2013, where the women held the Red Bull Formation this year. There are lines, but not too many. Last year's area was too built up. It was difficult to find a typical Rampage line. It already resembled a slopesytle course.

So you want rougher terrain?

Yes, that fits better with the Rampage. I like the new location. It's a bit like a new start.

Can you prepare for the Rampage?

Logical. As a downhiller, you have to work on your tricks, as a slopestyler on your downhill skills. The more broadly based you are, the better. Specialists tend to find it difficult.

You can do everything. So you don't have to train in Utah?

It doesn't do any harm. In recent years, I've travelled earlier to get used to the terrain. This year I've already been to Utah to prepare for my edit. No Schedule to film. And soon I'll be taking part in a Fest Series stop in the south of France to get used to big jumps.

You are an exceptional athlete in freeriding. I don't know anyone who competes in the Rampage, the Red Bull Hardline, FMB World Tour, the Red Bull District Ride and now also in festival events. Where is the risk the highest?

Everything is dangerous. On the Rampage or Hardline, the consequences of a crash are the worst. Of course, it always depends on what you're riding. A downhiller is more likely to wet his pants on the District Ride than on the Hardline. Although... the Hardline is also a blatant number for downhillers.

And you personally - where does your pulse beat the fastest?

I was pretty scared of the Hardline last year. But I had no pressure because nobody was expecting me. They wondered: What's the slopestyler doing here - is the Belgian lost? If I made it down the mountain as a freerider and slopestyle dude, that was quite remarkable in their eyes. The Rampage is completely different. I'm someone there, that's my format, I want a good result and take a lot of risks. Stress, risk and therefore my heart rate are correspondingly high.

You skipped the Red Bull Hardline this year. Why did you do that?

At the same time, the Proving Grounds freeride event was taking place in Oregon. I wanted to try it out, because next year it will become a whole competition series with several stops.

The same riders usually take part in the Rampage, as the top ten from the previous year automatically qualify. Who is missing?

I would like to see more Europeans on the starting list. Vincent Tupin, for example, belongs in the starting field for the Rampage.

Who are your favourite riders?

Lacondeguy and Vinny-T. The two of them have it all: great style, crazy skills. If Andreu has a good run, he'll end up on the podium.

Look into the crystal ball. What will the top 5 ranking look like in 2022?

1. Semenuk. That was easy (laughs).
2. Brett Rheeder.
3. Andreu Lacondeguy. Because Brett and Andreu are so consistent and love the Rampage.
4. Perennial favourite Kurt Sorge
5. Szymon Godziek. Szymon is not afraid and can do many tricks.