"There are no limits"

Frenchman Matthias Dandois was crowned the world’s best BMX flatlander in Tokyo at the end of October. In an interview the 19-year-old World Champion talks about the beginning of his career, new tricks and letting his hair down at victory celebrations.

Matthias, congratulations on your World Championship title! How does a Flatland World Champion celebrate his biggest success to date?

Hey, first of all, thanks a lot! I think I celebrated the way a lot of people do. My friends and I went to a club, destroyed it, and then went home! No, kidding. I was in Tokyo with some of my best friends (Raph Chiquet and Alex Jumelin, and many more) and we had a cool after-party, which started at a restaurant, then we went to a club, destroyed it, and went home.

What does the title mean to you?

It means a lot of things. I’ve ridden for years to reach the level I’m at today. The fact that I’m now World Champion is sacred to me. It changed something in my life. Now I have to get to the next level. Heh-heh!

When did you actually start BMX riding, and how did you end up as a flatlander?

I started six years ago. I started riding street, and one day I saw a guy riding flatland at my local skatepark. I was like ‘Wohhh, this is a really cool way of impressing girls!’ So I started doing tricks on the ground. Then I found a club in my hometown where a pro rider was teaching flatland to kids. In two years he taught me everything, and flatland became really important to me.

What fascinates you most about flatland, and why do you specifically enjoy it so much?

It’s like a drug … the feeling of riding, spinning, jumping, rolling on two pegs is awesome. Moreover, there’s no limit to that sport, and you can ride whenever you want. You only need a bike and a flat floor.

Please tell us a bit about the person Matthias Dandois. What five characteristics would your best friend say you have?

Funny, stupid, crazy, talented but really awkward. My friends call me ‘Le grand con’ (tall jerk).

What – besides flatland – do you love the most?

I love sports in general. Actually I’m at a sports college where I can practice every sport I want. (Soccer, swimming, boxing, running …). And I was a good runner before (1500m), so I can’t stand life without sports. No way!

How do you actually prepare for your contests? What does a typical training program look like?

Usually I split my riding sessions into two parts. I start by doing my contest tricks for one-and-a-half hours, then I try new tricks for another hour-and-a-half to two hours. If there’s a contest coming up, I ride more … That’s how I prepare for contests. Usually I spend three-to-four hours a day on my bike. I used to ride a lot more, but it kills your body and your mind. So I do it this way now.

‘If you’re going to copy tricks you might as well not ride at all,’ the living flatland legend Kevin Jones said once. How do you create your own tricks?

That’s the super cool part about BMX flatland. There are no limits! All I have to do if I want to invent a trick is to think and try. Sometimes the tricks you come up with are impossible. Sometimes you succeed after five tries. I prefer the second solution. At practice I make a lot of mistakes, but when it comes to contests, I don’t know why, I pull off almost everything … I think I’ve been lucky at contests for the last three years.

For many riders flatland is a way of life. What three things are most important to you in life and why?

My family, because they helped and supported me a lot; my friends because I have so much fun with them everyday, and girls in general, because I love beautiful girls.

How are you going to spend the next few weeks?

Well … I’m going to Colombia next Friday for a big contest. Then I have to do some shows the following weekend. After that there’s a small event in France. I’m always moving. And I love it!